This document is the winter 2011 issue of the newsletter for the North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI). NJCRI provides HIV/AIDS services including clinical trials, treatment, care and prevention in Newark, NJ. The issue discusses NJCRI's mission and services, celebrates its 2nd annual fundraiser with a visit from Newark Mayor Corey Booker, announces new programs including a drop-in center and men's group, and highlights client stories and community outreach events.
Inclusivity Essentials_ Creating Accessible Websites for Nonprofits .pdf
NJCRI Community Research Initiative Volume 3 Issue 1
1. Volume 3, Issue 1 Winter 2011
North Jersey Community
Research Initiative
Community First
Inside this issue:
About NJCRI
Project RENEW World
AIDS Day
2 The North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) is New Jersey’s largest and most
comprehensive HIV/AIDS community-based organization.
NJCRI Holiday Celebra-
tions!!
3 Our mission is “to help people with HIV/AIDS and those at risk for HIV/AIDS.” We
conduct state-wide HIV clinical trials, and provide HIV treatment, care and prevention ser-
vices in the Greater Newark Area. Populations we serve include youth and adults, men and
Project ACESS Drop In
4 women, men who have sex with men, people who acquire or who are at risk for HIV
Center
through injection drug use and others.
My Brother’s Keeper
5 NJCRI also seeks to address the concerns and disparities of access to health care faced by
Drop In Center
minority populations. Some of the non-HIV related services we offer include behavioral
research, chronic illness management education, street outreach, substance abuse treatment,
transportation, food pantry and technical assistance to other community-based
Client’s Corner 6
organizations. Approximately 6,000 people avail themselves of our free and confidential
services each year.
Project WOW! Health
7
Fair
NJCRI Celebrates its 2nd Annual Meet & Greet Fundraiser with a Visit
from Newark Mayor Corey Booker!!
Community Outreach 8
More than 60 people attended NJCRI’s 2nd Annual Meet and Greet Fundraiser to celebrate
our 22 years of service to the Greater Newark Community. The event, held on October 7th,
Upcoming Programs raised over $11,400, funds that will help NJCRI continue to provide outstanding services to
9
and/or Events our clients.
This year’s honorees included Newark Mayor Corey Booker, Gary Paul Wright of the Afri-
can American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC), Henry Iwuala of The Kintock Group and
NJCRI’s own Ann Sheridan, Dr. George Perez, Bill Orr, and Freddie Perry.
For the second year in a row, Lisa Mateo, PIX Morning News Feature Reporter, served as
our dynamic Mistress of Ceremonies. Dr. Robert Fullilove, Dean and Professor at Columbia
University’s Mailman School of Public Health was the Special Invited Guest for the eve-
ning.
Thank you to all who contributed and attended. In the words of Mayor Booker, “[NJCRI] is
an organization that gets the tough work done” and we could not do it without your gener-
ous support!
Video of the Mayor’s speech is available on NJCRI’s website at www.njcri.org.
2. Community First
In Memoriam
We are saddened by the loss of Pamela M. Bolden, one of our staff at NJCRI, who passed
away on December 30, 2010.
On January 13, 2011, the NJCRI community and Pamela’s family and friends came together
to say good bye to a mother, sister, daughter, friend, colleague and counselor. Pam’s life was
honored and we all shared with each other the many ways she touched us and made our lives
better.
Pam will be missed by many. To honor her great work, NJCRI has dedicated the patient
lounge on the third floor to her. Please drop by to see her plaque and how her legacy contin-
ues for our patients and at NJCRI. Pamela we love you and you will be missed by all you
have touched.
Brian McGovern
Executive Director
Project RENEW World AIDS Day
st
December 1 is internationally recognized as World AIDS Day and NJCRI’s Project Renew celebrated
with a spectacular program at Northern State Prison (NSP). Project Renew Health Educators Antonio Alexan-
der and Liz Kimani organized an informative and entertaining event for NSP inmates.
Project Renew clients at NSP shared their personal experiences with HIV/AIDS with the audience and
their willingness to educate their peers with their testimonies was evident in their passionate speeches. Not
only did they discuss their reactions to learning about their HIV status but they stressed the importance of be-
ing an active participant in their treatment program. The speakers encouraged the audience to ask questions
during doctor visits and promoted safe sex conversations within families and communities.
Dr. Anita Vaughn, an infectious disease specialist with a long history of treating HIV/AIDS patients
and a well-known public speaker was the keynote speaker. Dr. Vaughn discussed the basics of HIV/AIDS and
current treatment options. Her presentation was well-received by the inmates and stimulated a lively discussion
about traditional versus alternative medical treatments. Dr. Vaughn spoke candidly about the importance of
knowing one’s HIV status and taking the necessary precautions to prevent transmission to others.
The highlight of the program were the performances by the Northern State Prison R&B Band. The tal-
ented band members entertained the audience with covers of popular R&B songs by artists such as John Leg-
end and Estelle. Additionally, the band was accompanied by two vocalists who gave rousing renditions of hit
songs.
Project Renew would like to express sincere thanks to Viesha Morales (Missy) one of NJCRI’s Medi-
cal Case Managers and Brian McGovern, NJCRI’s Executive Director for attending and supporting the event.
Lastly, Project Renew is grateful for our clients’ participation and openness with their personal stories. We are
looking forward to hosting additional educational programs at Northern State Prison.
Page 2
3. Volume 3, Issue 1
Volume 3, Issue 1
NJCRI Holiday Celebrations!!
On Friday, November 19th, dozens of people arrived at NJCRI
to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and spend several hours
with friends. NJCRI’s Client Thanksgiving Day Dinner was
an overwhelming success with people enjoying dinner, per-
forming poetry and singing songs. The Gong Show was a hit!
Generous food donations were provided by Gilead Sciences,
Merck Serono, Abbott Laboratories and NJCRI staff. Eight
volunteers from Tibotec Pharmaceuticals also helped prepare
and serve food alongside NJCRI staff.
Our Client Holiday Dinner on December 17th also drew a
crowd. Merck Serono, Gilead Sciences, Bristol-Myers
Squibb, MyIT, Abbott Laboratories and Merck Serono do-
nated food for the party, as did NJCRI staff. Tibotec Pharma-
ceuticals supplied volunteers, presents and desserts.
Meet Our Newest Volunteers!
Maria Galera (left) is a high school junior in the Newark Public School System. During
the fall cycle, she has been interning four hours a week in Project WOW! through Sadie
Nash, an all girls leadership program. Following their 6 week summer program, Maria
chose to do an internship at a nonprofit health agency because of her career aspiration to
be a registered nurse.
While at Project WOW! she has learned a lot of information about HIV/AIDS and has
helped with clerical work and in designing the attendance sheet. She is learning how to
help, comfort, and handle situations with people who are HIV positive and is interested in
learning more about NJCRI’s My Brother’s Keeper and HIV/AIDS resources.
NJCRI welcomes Theresa Goodwin (right). Theresa has been volunteer-
ing in reception since December 14th answering phones and arranging
transportation. She will soon begin helping with clerical work.
Deirdre Coppin has been volunteering at NJCRI for nearly a month. She
had been looking for a job and wanted to give back to the community.
After coming to NJCRI to get tested, she asked about available volunteer
positions. Currently she volunteers in the food pantry, answers phones,
and assists with various clerical work.
Page 3
4. Community First 1
Volume 3, Issue
Coming Soon!!...NJCRI’s Project ACCESS Drop In Center
NJCRI’s Addiction Services Department is pleased to announce that it will
be opening a drop –in–center for homeless substance users in mid-to-late
February. The center which is funded by the New Jersey Department of
Health’s Division of HIV/AIDS Services will provide participants with mul-
tiple services including nutritional support, and access to showers and laun-
dry facilities. Staff will work closely with other NJCRI programs particu-
larly Project Access (our syringe exchange), Counseling and Testing and
Project Cope to make sterile syringes, HIV testing, drug treatment and other
much needed services available to clients. More information will be made
available when renovations are completed and a firm date is set for the
opening.
Seeking Cures For Tomorrow
Providing Support For Today!
Q & A with NJCRI’s Patient Navigator: Keith Williams
Q: Who can set up a meeting with you? Q: How do clients find out about you?
A: My job as patient navigator is to engage newly A: Anyone in need of services can contact me on my
diagnosed people who are HIV positive and people cell phone at 973-277-7076.
who were previously diagnosed that are not cur-
rently in care. People are referred to me from NJCRI’s Care and
Treatment Services (CTS), Clinical Trials, Project
Q: What is the process? ACCESS, Project REACT, outreach workers, and by
word of mouth.
A: We have a short interview where I explain what
I do and the client tells me what they want to do. I Q: As patient navigator, what is a typical day?
set up an initial appointment with St. Michael’s
Hospital (Peter Ho Clinic) for blood work and in- A: My typical day is spent in Project Access waiting
troduce clients to the retention officers there. Re- for referrals and engaging clients that are in need of
tention officers help with hospital case manage- harm reduction services. There is no easy or difficult
ment and other services. This gives clients another
resource to use when they are in the medical cen- part about my job, I love what I do.
ter.
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a client
I also assist with getting clients charity care and taking charge of their own health.
transportation at our first meeting.
Page 4
5. Volume 3, Issue 1
Grand Opening of My Brother’s Keeper Drop
In Center
NJCRI Announces the launch of My Brother’s Keeper, a new program
for MSM’s between the ages of 25 and 34. This program will offer
mentorship, counseling, a supportive men’s group, health education
training and risk reduction workshops. For this and more information
on other services, activities, or events, call (973) 483 – 3444.
After Hours at NJCRI’s Project WOW!
Funded by New Jersey’s Department of Health interventions, they begin documenting their behavior
(DOH), Division of Addiction Services (DAS), change in photos. The youth are able to track their indi-
and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), vidual progress and hold themselves accountable for
NJCRI’s Project WOW! is Newark’s first drop- their actions, helping to make them less susceptible to
in center specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, HIV or frequent substance use.
transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The
drop-in center provides opportunities for young Money for cameras and equipment was purchased us-
people to socialize and build supportive net- ing funds from a DAS grant. The Photography Pro-
works while learning new HIV and substance gram takes place on Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m.
abuse prevention skills in a safe space.
For a calendar of events, visit Project WOW! at 393
On average, Project WOW serves up to 400 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103.
youth per month who live in the NJ/NYC met-
ropolitan area. With its dedicated staff and
youth advisory board (Leaders of the Future
“LOF”), Project WOW was awarded the 2010
Sakia Gunn Community Service Award by
Newark Essex Pride Coalition during Newark’s
Pride Week.
Aunsha Hall, Manager of Project WOW! en-
courages the youth to “spread the word that Pro-
ject WOW! has all these things going on. There
is always something to come to that you may be
interested in”.
WOW’s latest project uses photography as a
means to encourage the youth to identify
“triggers” and change those behaviors that put Picture: Project WOW! Staff
them at risk. After taking part in group level
Page 5
6. Community First
Client’s Corner
The following is the transcript of a conversation
with Don, a client at NJCRI.
Seeking Cures For Tomorrow
Providing Support For Today!
The first thing I want to do is extend the warmest
thank you to all of the staff members at NJCRI be-
cause I am an NJCRI success story.
And I began the process of rebuilding my im-
I came to the facility here in February 2008, at that mune system and getting my body back on track
point I had been off medication for 7 years. I was and within 10 months my blood scores looked
literally at the end of my life, I was so ill I couldn’t excellent, they were very quickly rebounding and
even walk up the stairs in front of the building I probably, within that first year, made incredible
very easily. I had had a stroke, primarily for hav- progress.
ing been off of meds for so long. And then this last time now, it’s 2 years, I have
gotten the results of my blood work back. And
And the first time I came here I was examined by
my viral load had been 275,000 parts per cubic
Ann Sheridan who took wonderful care of me right centimeter blood, and now it’s 20, which is noth-
from the very beginning, and said to me “you’re ing short of an incredible gift from the facility to
not necessarily dying if you don’t want to die. You have healed me to the point where I now am very
could. You certainly are very close to the end. If sure that I will live a perfectly normal life.
you believe that that’s it, you’re done. But if you
believe in getting better we will help you.” I give back to the community here at the facility
as often as I can and do all sorts of fun, creative
And at that point Ann arranged for me to become a things that I enjoy doing. And I love to show up
member of the ADAP program and we first got me because any time I can give back to this place, I
certainly do. And from the bottom of my heart I
on medication. And then I saw Dr. Pobletti who
am grateful to everyone here.
then prescribed me an excellent regime of Tru-
vada, Noravire, and Reates. And then of course I Thank you.
also had to go on anti-stroke medication.
Test-4-Turkey Day
In keeping with our annual tradition, NJCRI’s CTR Unit
gave out 160 turkeys for Thanksgiving this year. One hun-
dred and ten clients who registered in advance received a
free turkey. The other 50 turkeys were given out on No-
vember 22nd at 3 locations in Newark (St. James Tower,
Seth Boyden, and Bradley Court) in exchange for getting
an HIV test. Congratulations CTR!
Page 6
8. Community First
Community Outreach
The following article was written by Aliya Wadood, a
junior at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.
“Safe sex is great sex." This comment made by a student
made my hour and a half of standing outside in thirty four
degrees weather worth it. Myself, along with two group
members had a mobile testing unit on campus December 8th
from 2:30pm-4:00pm. Our event was supposed to last until
5:00pm, but due to the amount of students being tested there
were no more tests left. After weeks of preparation it was
finally our big day.
I decided to focus on the advertising aspect and made posters
and information cards for Montclair State University students. Each poster contained a statistic and each
information card included a statistic and condom. My mother works with the sister of Nimaako Brown who
is the project manager at NJCRI. She was able to get me assorted condoms, lubricants, proper condom us-
age information and information about NJCRI services.
As I rushed through the University hallways I hoped that students excited about our event and would
not let the cold weather deter them from getting tested. When I got to the student center quad, I realized we
had about seven students waiting. I was happy to see that students wanted to know their HIV status even if
it was frigid outside. I let my group member know I was there and then when to the student center to have
my poster enlarged to display on the side of the mobile testing unit.
While I waited for my enlarged poster, a group of four girls and a guy asked me where our mobile
testing unit was located. I told them that it was right outside and gave four of them informational cards with
condoms taped on the back. I dug deep into my handbag to look for a card for one girl who seemed disap-
pointed when I could not find it. I told her I was sorry but to take a long pack of condoms as an apology.
She laughed and showed her friends who laughed even more. After I got my poster I continued to search for
an informational card because I knew I had one for her. Luckily I found one on the side of my bag. When I
finally gave it to her she laughed again and jokingly said, "Thanks, I had thirty and now I have thirty-one."
It was important that she had the condoms but she needed the knowledge as well.
I finally got outside and put together a bin of condoms, lubricants, information about proper condom
use and information about services NJCRI offers in Newark. I told anyone who walked by that we had free
condoms and testing. I noticed that some people were offended when I offered them condoms. This made
me somewhat uneasy because I did not want to make anyone uncomfortable but I did want them to take ad-
vantage of everything we had to offer. Within an hour and a half thirty people were tested for HIV. Our
event was supposed to last until 5:00pm but it ended at 4:00pm because there were no more testing kits. I
was happy to see people open about testing for HIV. One person even told me "I'm negative. Can I get a
condom?" I am proud to say the students were not the only ones who benefitted from our event, I benefitted
as well.
Page 8
9. Volume 3, Issue 1
Phone: 973-483-3444 Upcoming Programs and/or Events
Fax: 973-485-7080
E-mail: njcri@njcri.org
Harm Reduction & Treatment in NJ: Having Faith In Recovery
Founder
William P. Orr, M.A. Conference
January 26, 2011 from 9 - 3:30 p.m. at Robert Treat Hotel, Newark, NJ
Board of Trustees For information , call (973) 483-3444 ext 204
Dwight Peavy
Chair
My Brother’s Keeper
Thomas Flynn For information, call (973) 412-7080
Vice Chair
Carol Mori Project WOW! Health Fair
Treasurer February 5, 2011 from 12—6 p.m. at NJCRI
For information, call (973) 412-7080
Jeffrey Bomser
In Memoriam Support Groups
For information about upcoming group meetings, call (973) 483-3444
Institutional Review Board
James M. Oleske, M.D.
Chair Project WOW! KIKI Function
For information, call (888) 688-9078
Youth Advisory Board
Ka'leef C. Washington
Chair Substance Use and Mental Health 101 Training
For information, call (973) 483-3444 x 204
Directors
Brian McGovern, L.S.W.
Executive Director
George Perez, M.D.
Medical Director Does your organization have a presence on Twitter or YouTube?
If so, follow NJCRI at
Corey DeStefano, B.S. http://www.twitter.com/NJCRI
Director, Clinical Research and Compli- http://www.YouTube.com/NJCRI
ance Officer
Robert C. Baxter, M.P.A.
Director, Addiction, Prevention and Educa-
tional Services
Joseph Rothenberg, M.B.A.
Director, Finance
Donate Over the Phone
(973) 483-3444 ext. 191
Seeking Cures For Tomorrow Donate on our Website
Providing Support For Today! www.njcri.org
Donate By Mail
Send Us A Check
NJCRI
Newsletter created by:
Aura C. Caicedo 393 Central Avenue
Edited by:
Bob Baxter, Nimaako Brown, Aura C. Caicedo, Caroline E.S. Harris
Newark, NJ 07103