of work gloves by my co-worker; she has a look of determination on her
face.
Before continuing the story...the medical agency I work for is called The
AIDS Care Group. The Agency was organized in 1998 by a group of
health care workers who wanted to serve the uninsured HIV +
community in Chester, PA (a city twenty minutes away from
Philadelphia). The agency is run by one of the original founders, Dr. Howell
Strauss. One of the first things ACG recognized from the beginning is
that, when other basic needs are not met, a client would be unable to
concentrate on his or her medical needs. With that knowledge various
programs were launched to help clients have all those needs met.
Essentially, a client can walk in, receive both breakfast and lunch while
having a medical, dental and nutritional visit.
This is my 8th year packing Turkey Baskets to feed our neediest clients. I
was asked to work with two co-workers who have never been part of
this yearly tradition. We had a list of about 250 families receiving a
Turkey Basket this year. By the time I came into work at 9 a.m , my co-
orkers had already set up an assembly line. The tables were set up with
fresh vegetables, canned goods and frozen turkeys that would make a
full Thanksgiving meal. By lunch time and what seemed like a lifetime of
giggling and working at a farmers market, all 250 Turkey Baskets were
ready to be handed out. Several of our clients were already coming in
to pick up their Basket, discretely being sent to see some of my co-
workers. As I took my gloves off to go back to my day to day job of
administrative work I smiled as I realized that in less then 3 weeks...we’d
be doing the same thing for Christmas. Just that instead of food it
would be children’s toys.
The feel good sensation days like this give me,
is why I began working for my agency. I often
work late nights biting my nails off as the we try
face.
Before continuing the story...the medical agency I work for is called The
AIDS Care Group. The Agency was organized in 1998 by a group of
health care workers who wanted to serve the uninsured HIV +
community in Chester, PA (a city twenty minutes away from
Philadelphia). The agency is run by one of the original founders, Dr. Howell
Strauss. One of the first things ACG recognized from the beginning is
that, when other basic needs are not met, a client would be unable to
concentrate on his or her medical needs. With that knowledge various
programs were launched to help clients have all those needs met.
Essentially, a client can walk in, receive both breakfast and lunch while
having a medical, dental and nutritional visit.
This is my 8th year packing Turkey Baskets to feed our neediest clients. I
was asked to work with two co-workers who have never been part of
this yearly tradition. We had a list of about 250 families receiving a
Turkey Basket this year. By the time I came into work at 9 a.m , my co-
orkers had already set up an assembly line. The tables were set up with
fresh vegetables, canned goods and frozen turkeys that would make a
full Thanksgiving meal. By lunch time and what seemed like a lifetime of
giggling and working at a farmers market, all 250 Turkey Baskets were
ready to be handed out. Several of our clients were already coming in
to pick up their Basket, discretely being sent to see some of my co-
workers. As I took my gloves off to go back to my day to day job of
administrative work I smiled as I realized that in less then 3 weeks...we’d
be doing the same thing for Christmas. Just that instead of food it
would be children’s toys.
The feel good sensation days like this give me,
is why I began working for my agency. I often
work late nights biting my nails off as the we try
www.ambiente.us DECEMBER | DICIEMBRE 2009
AIDS Care Group - Loving Brotherly Love
story and photography by Armando Diaz, excerpt by Guadalupe Diaz
Philadelphia is a historical, hard working, and cosmopolitan blend of so many
things. One constant seems to be the community based love that seeps into
businesses and organizations like the AIDS Care Group. On a recent visit to Philly
to reconnect with a childhood friend (who Facebook-ed me) and investigate
opportunities, I was given an up close and personal tour of ACG and it’s amazing
growing facilities. Dr. Howell Strauss’s intrinsic collection of artwork and artifacts
adorn the rooms and halls of these unique offices, imprinting an impressive
flavor at the AIDS Care Group.
The importance of such an organization to the community, especially with what
it has to offer, is vital for me to broadcast...Armando-style.
During this season of thanks, in the spirit of the holidays and adding an even
more personal touch to the efforts and character of AIDS Care Group, I asked
one of the outreach coordinating supervisors (Lupe Diaz) to share a brief
account of a day in the office. Vamos a ver what’s she’s up to...
“It’s the Monday before Thanksgiving and I’m headed into the main medical
office for my agency in what is not my usual work wear.
I’m in jeans and a hoodie. When I’m walking towards the white
unmarked building that looks just like any other house in the
neighborhood I see about 30 of my co-workers and a small
number of our clients all dressed similarly. I’m handed a pair
AIDS Care Group - Loving Brotherly Love
story and photography by Armando Diaz, excerpt by Guadalupe Diaz
Philadelphia is a historical, hard working, and cosmopolitan blend of so many
things. One constant seems to be the community based love that seeps into
businesses and organizations like the AIDS Care Group. On a recent visit to Philly
to reconnect with a childhood friend (who Facebook-ed me) and investigate
opportunities, I was given an up close and personal tour of ACG and it’s amazing
growing facilities. Dr. Howell Strauss’s intrinsic collection of artwork and artifacts
adorn the rooms and halls of these unique offices, imprinting an impressive
flavor at the AIDS Care Group.
The importance of such an organization to the community, especially with what
it has to offer, is vital for me to broadcast...Armando-style.
During this season of thanks, in the spirit of the holidays and adding an even
more personal touch to the efforts and character of AIDS Care Group, I asked
one of the outreach coordinating supervisors (Lupe Diaz) to share a brief
account of a day in the office. Vamos a ver what’s she’s up to...
“It’s the Monday before Thanksgiving and I’m headed into the main medical
office for my agency in what is not my usual work wear.
I’m in jeans and a hoodie. When I’m walking towards the white
unmarked building that looks just like any other house in the
neighborhood I see about 30 of my co-workers and a small
number of our clients all dressed similarly. I’m handed a pair
| . |
| . |
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
Fresh-Squeezed Paradise MIAMI RIVER INN miamiriverinn.com |
CLICK to Shop |
Wine Parties & Unique Catering |
| . 70's Inspired Purses GLOSSgear.com |
to figure out ‘what we can do as a team’, to bring more income to our
non profit agency. We’ve seen many other non profits have to close
their doors as this economy has made it harder to be able to operate.
So our AIDS Care Group plans a future where we do more for profit work
so we can put dollars back into our non profit side. ‘We have learned the
art of fund raisers via the arts’. We do all this in the hopes that no matter
what race, gender or sexual orientation can live with the dignity and
humanity we are all entitled to.”
Human service organizations (such as ACG) provide a range of vital
services, offering support and assistance to meet many needs of
members of our HIV+ community. They can range from small
neighborhood groups to non-profits focused on a single issue to large
multi-service organizations that serve the entire state. These
organizations operate programs that empower and protect, working to
combat hunger, crime, abuse, homelessness, and other injustices such
as discrimination. Volunteering, fund-raising, and action keep these
increasingly necessary places up and running.
Considering Pennsylvania? Well, for more information on the
expanding and unique Philadelphia area agency, please visit
www.aidscaregroup.org
CLICK HERE for more Armando Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
non profit agency. We’ve seen many other non profits have to close
their doors as this economy has made it harder to be able to operate.
So our AIDS Care Group plans a future where we do more for profit work
so we can put dollars back into our non profit side. ‘We have learned the
art of fund raisers via the arts’. We do all this in the hopes that no matter
what race, gender or sexual orientation can live with the dignity and
humanity we are all entitled to.”
Human service organizations (such as ACG) provide a range of vital
services, offering support and assistance to meet many needs of
members of our HIV+ community. They can range from small
neighborhood groups to non-profits focused on a single issue to large
multi-service organizations that serve the entire state. These
organizations operate programs that empower and protect, working to
combat hunger, crime, abuse, homelessness, and other injustices such
as discrimination. Volunteering, fund-raising, and action keep these
increasingly necessary places up and running.
Considering Pennsylvania? Well, for more information on the
expanding and unique Philadelphia area agency, please visit
www.aidscaregroup.org
CLICK HERE for more Armando Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
| . |
| . |
| . |
