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Why This Ministry Exists
AIDS is a leading cause of death, nationwide, in African American
communities. The number one reason we are dying is that our people
choose to be and remain ignorant about this disease. By adapting
a "This can’t happen to me" attitude, we are dying
of ignorance.
The African American community has along way to go in the areas
of HIV/AIDS education and the support of HIV/AIDS patients. It
is up to us to teach, support and reach out to our loved ones,
our friends and extended family members and offer non-judgmental
support and comfort. If we don’t, who will?
For this reason, the Trinity United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS
Support Ministry began. On December 5, 1993, Pastor Wright dedicated
our ministry with its 31 members. As of 1998, we have over 70
Trinitarians who have taken the required 20 hours of training
and dedicated themselves in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Our Mission
The Trinity United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Support Ministry
is a ministry of comfort, through support, education and training
for individuals, families and friends impacted by HIV disease.
CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES
The HIV/AIDS Ministry of Trinity United Church of Christ would
like to announce an expansion of its Support Services.
Trinity United Church of Christ, in partnership with Provident
Hospital of Cook County and the Alliance for Community Empowerment
bring together the public, private not-for profit and faith/religious
communities for the common cause. That cause is the early identification
and treatment of HIV impacted individuals in the African American
Community, their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
This coalition also helps impacted individuals in the realization
of their supportive needs. The coalition helps persons in transition
from illness to wellness and increased productivity.
We accomplish this through a comprehensive program that provides
the following services:
- Case management
- Primary care
- Mental Health
- Substance abuse counseling
- Prevention education
- Weekly, spiritually based support group sessions for men and
women
- Quarterly spirituality group sessions conduced by our Pastoral
staff
- Confidential individual professional counseling sessions
- Nourishment and Fellowship after each session
- A safe and non-judgmental environmental
Take Control... Take the Test! Contact the Chicago Department
of Public Health for free confidential testing at 1-800-243-2437
For more information or assistance, call our confidential hotline
for Support Services at 312-409-3284.
We have discussed various aspects of HIV/AIDS since starting
our WebPages. Now we feature our ministry member Deacon Geneva
Bell and Pastor Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., in a publication on an
African American mother's perspective on her experience with HIV/and
AIDS and the Church family that supported that experience.
My Rose: An African American Mother's Story of AIDS,
by Geneva Bell
This is a deeply moving narrative and a wrenching story of
a mother and her homosexual son's struggle with AIDS. This true
story honestly confronts the pain of a family. The text untimidly
shows a faith community transformed by God's love. The forward
is by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. of Trinity United Church
of Christ.
This small but powerful book is available in the AKIBA Bookstore
of TUCC or other major bookstores. (Price $10-$12)
Ministry Services Provided:
Any one in need of any the following services provided by the
HIV/AIDS Support Ministry need only call our hotline at 312-409-2437.
They are:
- Support, both group and individual, by professional counselors
in a confidential and safe environment.
- Community Outreach and Education
- Resources and Data Distribution
- Visitation
- Outreach
PROJECT 31 and the Beaded AIDS Awareness Badges
Tselane Tambo founded project 31. Tselane is a South African
Woman and daughter of the late South African Nationalist and President
of the African National Congress for 30 years, Oliver Tambo. It
was under the leadership of Mr. Tambo that Nelson Mandela was
released from prison.
Project 31 assists South African women with HIV. The name Project
31 was inspired by Proverbs 31, which discusses the virtues of
a good woman. The women that Project 31 assists are destitute
and the program seeks to teach them skills through which they
can earn a living for themselves and their children regardless
of their HIV status.
These beaded AIDS ribbons display the unique art of South African
bead work and are made by these women as the first part of their
training. They have produced thousands of beautiful beaded AIDS
Awareness badges to sell. The profits from the sale of these badges
help to sustain hospital AIDS wards, mobile clinics and will help
to expand the training of these South African women.
Statistics:
- South African Population is 40,583,611
- At the End of 1999, 4.2 million South Africans were living
with HIV/AIDS
- 1 in 700 South Africans become infected with HIV daily
- At the end of 1999 420,000 children were orphaned by the
death of parents due to AIDS
Trinity United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Support Ministry supports
the efforts and work of Tselane Tambo through the sale and distribution
of their handmade South African beaded badges. They sell for $10.00
each or two for $16.00. All proceeds go the Project 31 of South
Africa.
To learn more about Project 31 go to www.project31.com, or write
to Project 31, Villa Rosa, 21a Killarney Road, Sandhurst, Johannesburg,
2196, South Africa, or P.O. Box 411 810, Craighall 2024, South
Africa, or email Project 31 at info@project31.com.
Trinity United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Ministry and
Community Coalition
Our mission is to focus on the awakening of and the education
of other faith-based organizations not active on the issues plaguing
the African American Community regarding HIV and AIDS disease.
Prevention and Education
We provide written information, access to services and host conferences,
addressing the prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS. We also
offer free testing.
Training and Support
We train individuals on the epidemiology, history, treatment,
and modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Partnered
wit the Alliance for Community Empowerment, we offer job counseling
and basic job training to individuals with HIV or AIDS. We have
an established support group open to anyone diagnosed with HIV
or AIDS. We offer caregiver and care giving Support to those living
with or caring for those living with HIV or AIDS.
Partnering
We offer assistance in accessing public programs through our
partnership with Provident Hospital.
Additionally, we are engaged in dialog with brothers and sisters
in Africa along with the Africa Ministry and other health related
ministries of TUCC. We offer support to people impacted by HIV
and AIDS through organizations in Ethiopia, Nigeria and South
Africa.
Ministry Events:
- World AIDS Day - December
1, 2003
- National Black HIV Awareness Day - February 2004
- National Black Church Week of Prayer - March 2004
- National HIV Testing Day - June 27, 2004
Please visit these sites for more information:
We thank you for your compassion and support.
In the heart of the community, every seeking to serve and win
the community's heart, through Christ.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God".
- 2 Timothy 2:15
To God Be All the Glory!
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