THE PHILADELPHIA CENTER !!!! Annual Report. Reported for: June 1, 2014 May 31, 2015

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1 Annual Report Prepared by: Derick Jones October 30, 2015 Reported for: June 1, 2014 May 31, 2015 Page 1 of 8

2 Between June 2014 and May 2015, the Philadelphia Center has risen to the challenge that faces our non-profit organization related to adapting to changes. After 25 years of being the premier HIV/AIDS resource center for northwest Louisiana, our Board, staff and stakeholders undertook the task of assessing our community s needs and adapting to the changes in the healthcare landscape. The trend for several years has been to combine testing and services related to overall sexual health and well-being. As an AIDS Services Organization (ASO), the Philadelphia Center has seen firsthand how viruses and other infections tend to travel together through our community. People with other STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia) have a higher risk level of contracting HIV. In an effort to provide more holistic health and social services to our community, the Board elected to revise our Mission Statement to the following: The Philadelphia Center s mission is to empower those affected by HIV/AIDS & STDs through education and service. Our Vision for the future of our community was also refined: To create a community free from HIV/ AIDS & STDs which promotes healthy living. Our values that help to guide us in our work include self-determination, access to quality health and social services, social justice and ending stigma, and to respect all who seek support through our organization. This past year has also seen amazing growth in our programs designed to maximize clients self-sufficiency, reduce harm and risk factors through education and empowerment, and to diversify our revenue streams in order to remain relevant and sustain our much-needed organization for the next generation. In 2015, our Board of Directors voted unanimously to establish our first ever Endowment Fund in which supporters and donors to our cause can leave a lasting legacy that will enable the continuation of the Philadelphia Center in to the future. Related to our growth is how we now have 42 employees working in Shreveport and Monroe, with more to be hired as we develop our clinical programs over the next one to three years. On behalf of the clients we serve, the community we serve, and the staff and Board of the Philadelphia Center, we THANK YOU for your ongoing support for our mission our cause our organization. YOU are the reason we exist YOU are the foundation for our survival into the future. BRETT MALONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE PHILADELPHIA CENTER Page 2 of 8

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The mission of The Philadelphia Center, located at 2020 Centenary Blvd. in Shreveport, La., is to: empower those affected by HIV/AIDS & STDs through education and service. Our vision is to create a community free from HIV/ AIDS & STDs which promotes healthy living. (Amended by the Board of Directors February 2015). We have worked toward fulfilling out mission and vision within our community in the following ways: Testing & Prevention Services Maintained 91 condom sites in our region Conducted over 1,397 outreach encounters Made 64 successfully accessed referrals for testing and other supports Conducted 1037 HIV tests Identified 28 people who tested HIV+ and linked them to medical care and social supports Resource Development Raise $102, during our Auction Against AIDS Cleared $12,151 during our Resolution Run Campaigned in May 2015 for The Community Foundation s Give for Good (received $21, during the fiscal year) Raised $11,450 for the Mercy Center makeover Partnered with SBC Bike Social and Great Raft Brewing for Cranksgiving (Nov. 2014), where forty cyclists collected food and personal items for the food pantry at the Philadelphia Center. Regional Outreach Graduated 80 young participants in our Monroe Sisters Informing Healing Living and Empowering (SIHLE) program for young African-American females (ages 13-18) Client Services Case Management services for 480 individuals (316 male/161 female/3 transgender) Mental Health Counseling for 55 individuals Substance Abuse Counseling for 22 individuals Medical Transportation for 180 individuals Psychological support groups served 62 individuals (Currently there are three support groups: Face2Face, WOO (Women Overcoming Obstacles), and New Faces Group (for newly diagnosed). Oral Health Care for 24 individuals Provided food on average/month to 39 children, 115 adults and 3 seniors, totaling 1,018 food baskets Page 3 of 8

4 Distributed over 46,600 pounds of food and nutritional supplements to HIV+ individuals and their families (Shreveport area) Mercy Center Housing Program Supported 16 men, 3 women and 1 transgender Assisted 5 residents graduate to independent living 3 residents entered into college/vocational training 6 residents obtained employment Phoenix and Thomas house underwent major repairs and renovations made possible through a grant from the City of Shreveport, MAC AIDS and private funds/donations Advocacy & Awareness Participated in Louisiana Legislative Awareness events and all HIV/AIDS awareness days Participated in National Sexual Awareness Week Coordinated with the National Gay Blood Drive for awareness. Coordinated regional Worlds AIDS Day event at the Municipal Auditorium, featuring the AIDS Memorial Quilt from the NAMES Project Foundation. This event also included an educational youth program on HIV/AIDS response. Coalition building with other organizations in the region, state and country to increase the impact of our efforts on behalf of people living with HIV. Housing Assistance/Homeless Prevention Services Provided Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for 14 individuals Assisted 36 clients with STRMU (Short Term Rental, Mortgage and Utility Assistance) and 14 clients in obtaining PHP (Permanent Housing Placement) Participated in HOPE for the Homeless Continuum of Care Group HIV+ Clinic Saw 15 patients total, 13 were treatment experienced Identified 2 people who tested HIV+ and linked them to medical care and social supports PC Wellness Center Supported 79 new clients and 66 returning clients Page 4 of 8

5 PERSONAL STATEMENTS I became involve with HIV because I had a close friend who was infected with HIV and I was Virginia Player Testing and Recruitment Coordinator for the PC Eric Evans Former Outreach Coordinator for Ella Hall SIHLE Coordinator afraid of him. I didn t know anything about HIV, so I began to learn. The more I learned, the more I wanted to share with others, because I figured people were just like me ignorant about HIV. I started out volunteering at the PC and doing little projects on my own. When the opportunity became available, I started working in this field. Until we can get the new infection rate down to zero, there s a need (for the PC). With all the education and prevention work we re doing, there are people who still do not know their status. If you do not know your status, you could be spreading HIV and not know it. I am really glad we have the MTU (Mobile Testing Unit) where we can reach people where they are, to help them to learn their status. Until there is a cure, we must keep on fighting to get the infection rate down to zero. From the dawning of AIDS In San Francisco, I was there, in the hospitals, holding the hands of the dying. In NYC I was there recording the uprising of the angry and those who were sick and tired of being sick and tired. I now can also say I was there in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans bringing attention to outdated laws and making sure the the narrow-minded did not deny people insurance. I am so proud to have had the honor being a voice for people who were the most in need of a voice during my almost three years at Philadelphia Center. I don't just pass on the torch, I leave a fire burning for the next to use for their torch. The work we do in SIHLE (Sisters Informing, Healing, Living & Empowering) is very needed because we are helping girls learn about abstaining from sex, using condoms correctly and consistently, and having fewer sex partners. Having group discussions are really helping the young ladies think about their risky behavior. Outreach is one of the ways for recruiting girls for our sessions. Page 5 of 8

6 Chris Miciotto Director of Client Services, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) I supervise and guide the operations of the case management and the social workers who provide mental health care. Client Services now has the highest level of education and competence in the delivery of social services in the history of the Philadelphia Center. We now have three master level social workers. All of our case managers have bachelor degrees. Of our bachelor level case managers, four of them have bachelor degrees in social work. As the only Ryan White funded agency in Region VII, we serve nine parishes. We provide case management services to people who otherwise would not be able to engage such services. We follow clients to ensure that they are linked to healthcare and basic needs. It is the mantra in HIV services that Housing Equals Healthcare. We work closely with clients to assist them in obtaining and maintaining adequate housing. We continually monitor our clients for unmet needs. A significant need for dental assistance was identified among our clients. During the time period of this report, we incorporated Oral Health Care into our Ryan White Contract. Page 6 of 8

7 THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT Presented by the NAMES Project Foundation When you re looking at them you re seeing somebody s uncle, their sons, what they did in their lives, what made them special and unique individuals Eric Evans, The Times in Shreveport, Dec. 2, 2014 In conjunction with World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), the Philadelphia Center brought a number of quilted panels honoring lives lost to the HIV virus to the Municipal Auditorium. The panels were part of the larger NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt patched together to memorialize those who lives have been taken. Page 7 of 8

8 FINANCIAL REPORT REPORTING PERIOD: JUNE 1, 2014-MAY 31, 2015 Total revenue: $2,631, Total expenses: $2,444, INCOME SOURCES FEDERAL/STATE CONTRACTS: $1,499, (57.01%) PROGRAM INCOME: $750, (28.54%) OTHER GRANTS: $204, (7.79%) FUNDRAISING: $141, (5.38%) DONATIONS: $33, (1.28%) Administration Mercy Center Housing Direct Client Services Prevention & Outreach HIV Clinic Donations Program Income Fundraising EXPENDITURES DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES: $909, (37.22%) MERCY CENTER: $760,191.95* (31.10%) PREVENTION & OUTREACH: $415, (17.01%) ADMINISTRATION: $208, (8.53%) HOUSING: $96, (3.93%) HIV CLINIC: $54, (2.21%) *Expenses include $373, in Capital Expenditures for Mercy Center Project Federal/State Contracts Other Grants Page 8 of 8