The Aliveness Project
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2010 Annual Report The Aliveness Project Celebrating 25 years of making a positive impact in our community! We celebrate 25 years! We continue to raise the funds needed to renovate our new building and we hope to Founded in 1985, The Aliveness make the move to 3808 Nicollet Avenue Project was originally born from sometime in the near future. Your support a community in need. will make this a reality! Over the past 25 years, our mission The Aliveness Project is a vital and much- remains clear and purposeful: to needed place that positively impacts the encourage self-empowerment and lives of so many individuals and families provide direct services for persons each day and will continue to do so in living with HIV/AIDS. years to come! The Aliveness Project is proud of the The Aliveness Project depends on assistance provided by our community support we receive from people like and is committed to providing a critical you—the time you spend volunteering, lifeline for those affected by HIV/AIDS. your participation in fundraising events Our services give valuable assistance and your generous financial gifts. for those coping and living with HIV— We thank you for your ongoing love and whether it is just being able to talk with caring for those living with HIV/AIDS another person living with the disease, and for helping us to make a positive eating a hot meal, receiving a massage, impact in their lives! picking up food shelf groceries, attending an educational session, talking with a case manager, bringing a pet for vaccinations or opening gifts Randy Hornstine Joe A. Larson from a holiday basket. Board President Executive Director Page 1 The Aliveness Project 22001100 PPoossiittiivvee IImmppaacctt AAcchhiieevveemmeennttss 3344,,000000++ meals served on-site in our dining room 770000++ holiday gift baskets assembled for members 9911,,110000++ pounds of food and hygiene items distributed by our food shelf 3333,,660000++ hours contributed by 1,400+ volunteers—the equivalent of 16 full-time staff 22,,448800++ case management visits helped members find employment, housing, medical care and more 22,,884400++ integrative therapy sessions of massage, acupuncture, shiatsu and other body treatments 11,,000000,,000000++ meals provided by The Aliveness Project’s meal program and food shelf since 1985 2010 Annual Report Page 2 I am Mario, and I’m positive. Thanks to The Aliveness Project, I have been able to work on my academic goals, eat nutritious meals and access medical care. I have met many others living with HIV, which has helped me to emotionally assimilate the fact that I am not alone. Since 1985, The Aliveness Project Members Served has served a growing number of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In 1600 2010, we added 210 new members— an average of 4 individuals per week. 1400 1200 Last year, 1,583 members used our services —twice as many as in 2000. We serve 1000 individuals and their families affected by 800 HIV/AIDS throughout Minnesota. The demographics of our members closely 600 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 mirror the HIV epidemic in our state. Aliveness HIV Aliveness HIV Program Cases in Program Cases in Recipients Minnesota Recipients Minnesota RACE / ETHNICITY: GENDER: African American 30% 22% Female 26% 23% African-born 5% 13% Male 73% 77% Asian / Pacific Islander 1% 2% Transgender 1% NA Caucasian 52% 53% Hispanic / Latino 6% 8% AGE: Native American 4% 2% 0 - 12 years 0.2% 0.6% Multi-racial / Other 3% 1% 13 - 19 years 0.8% 0.9% 20 - 29 years 10% 10% HIV EXPOSURE: 30 - 39 years 20% 21% Heterosexual 30% 19% 40 - 49 years 39% 36% Injecting Drug Use (IDU) 5% 6% 50 - 59 years 23% 24% Men Who Have Sex with Men 49% 51% 60+ years 8% 8% MSM / IDU 3% 5% Perinatal 1% 1% RESIDENCE: Other 2% 1% Anoka 3% 4% Unknown 10% 17% Carver 0.3% 0.6% Dakota 2% 5% ANNUAL INCOME: Hennepin 63% 55% < Federal Poverty Level * 72% NA Ramsey 15% 17% > 100% & < 300% ** 25% NA Scott 0.3% 0.9% > 300% ** of FPL 3% NA Washington 2% 2% Greater Minnesota 10% 14% * $10,830 is the 2010 Federal Poverty Level for an individual. Wisconsin 0.6% NA ** $32,490 is 300% of the Federal Poverty Level for an individual. Other States 3% NA TOTAL INDIVIDUALS: 1,583 6,814 TOTAL INDIVIDUALS: 1,583 6,814 Page 3 The Aliveness Project 2010 Annual Report Page 4 Page 5 The Aliveness Project I am Joan, and I’m positive. I have volunteered with the Meal Program. The Aliveness Project has helped me get in touch with others like myself. I have also been able to get more involved in the HIV community. There is no shame or stigma at The Aliveness Project! Food Services Our On-site Meal Program is the Our Food Shelf Program supplies cornerstone of The Aliveness Project. additional food resources for our Many of our HIV+ members live in members and their families three poverty, so meals help them maintain a days per week. balanced diet. It also provides a social setting for sharing emotional support 2010 Accomplishments and community resources. + 2,303 food shelf appointments 590 households served Our Meal Program serves lunch six days + per week (Monday - Saturday) and dinner + 91,196 pounds of nonperishable food Monday through Thursday. & hygiene items distributed + 60,797 meals provided from food 2010 Accomplishments shelf groceries + 34,049 hot meals + 1,001 members served Individuals using food shelf services report: + 90% say: “These services help me Individuals using our Meal Program report: stretch my financial resources.” + 86% say: “Regular meals help me take + 88% say: “The food makes a difference my HIV medications on time.” in maintaining my health.” + 69% say they feel less isolated when they + 80% (of those with a job) say that these eat meals in our dining room. services help them to keep working. 2010 Annual Report Page 6 I am Andi, and I’m positive. Being a member of The Aliveness Project has allowed me to get certain therapies, such as massage and shiatsu, that I otherwise would not receive. The Aliveness Project is a great place for positive people to meet and form long-lasting relationships. Member Services Our Case Management Program Our Integrative Therapy Program helps members overcome barriers is one of our most unique programs. related to housing, medical care, Professional therapists provide insurance, financial assistance, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic mental illness and other needs. treatments, shiatsu and other body treatments. These therapies enhance 2010 Accomplishments medical care and help members + 2,488 sessions manage the symptoms of HIV and 128 individuals served the side effects of medications. + 2010 Accomplishments Our Health and Wellness Program offers educational seminars and + 2,849 therapy sessions individual counseling to help individuals + 392 individuals served find ways to better manage their health. 2010 Accomplishments + 173 participants and 37 workshops Individuals receiving therapies report: Participants report the following changes: + 96% say their health is stable or + 84% made a lot of improvement at getting better. taking their medications as directed. + 76% report improvement at managing + 79% did a lot better at keeping their side effects of medications. medical appointments. + 54% say they are doing better at + 75% made a lot of changes to maintain managing stress in their lives. sobriety (not using drugs or alcohol). + 48% say they feel less anxious. Page 7 The Aliveness Project 2010 Annual Report Page 8 Page 9 The Aliveness Project I am Ben, and I’m positive. Especially for people my age, a place like this is so beneficial. There’s always someone to talk with and to help me get through whatever I am facing. Being young and finding out that you’re positive doesn’t have to be an end— rather it’s a beginning. Supportive Services Our Holiday Basket Program provides Our Pet Clinics provide free annual gift baskets for hundreds of members vaccinations by volunteer veterinarians. and their families. Each basket includes clothing, food and other presents. 2010 Accomplishments + 200 dogs and cats of 63 members treated In 2010, a myriad of individuals, faith groups and businesses donated gifts, adopted baskets, sewed stockings, wrapped presents, baked Our Membership Services Program cookies and delivered baskets. also offers a variety of other activities. Last year, these included: 2010 Accomplishments + Free access to theatre performances, + 710 gift baskets concerts, sports events, etc. + 943 adults & 429 children served + Social gatherings, such as our summer picnic and other group activities Our HIV Resource Library has books and magazines with topics related to HIV/AIDS. Our Library also offers internet access to help our members Our members report the following: gain access to the latest information and community resources. + 90% say our services make it possible for them to live independently. 2010 Accomplishments + 68% say they have more contact with + 2,918 computer sessions other HIV+ people when they use + 289 individuals served services at The Aliveness Project. 2010 Annual Report Page 10 I am Dan and I’m positive. The Aliveness Project is a wonderful place for people living with HIV/AIDS. They can help you find a doctor, housing, great food, alternative therapies and so much more…. I have seen individuals come here quiet and shy, and then are transformed into happy, outgoing people. They go on to develop friendships and volunteer many hours. The Aliveness Project is a magical and loving place. Thirty years ago, the first cases Last year, 331 new cases of HIV/AIDS of AIDS were reported in the were reported in Minnesota. While this United States on June 5, 1981.