Addressing the Pandemic at Home
Through community based interventions and collaboration, the Allen Temple Baptist Church AIDS Ministry is dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS-related services to the people of East Oakland and neighboring Alameda County cities. Locally, the Ministry focuses on prevention education and the provision of much needed medical and social services. Currently, a major challenge in Oakland is that many people don't know they are HIV/AIDS positive. The Ministry understands this challenge. As result, we urge everyone to get tested and we place a special emphasis on outreaching to youth and young adults. Our Collaborative programs include partnerships with civic, religious and corporate organizations.
Nationally, Allen Temple was one of the first African American churches to openly acknowledge HIV/AIDS. Independently, we initiated the creation of HIV/AIDS-related programs, which directly addressed critical social needs. In addition, in the early 90's we joined The Balm In Gilead and became an active member of the "Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS." Today, we continue to participate in this national prayer week which occurs annually in March.
BTAN - Bay Area (Black Treatment Advocates Network)
A national initiative of the Black AIDS Institute, works to improve HIV care and treatment for African Americans through training, networking, and mobilizing to address the disproportionate impact HIV/AIDS has on Black communities. Allen Temple AIDS Ministry serves as the coordinating agency for the Bay Area Chapter.
East Oakland HIV/AIDS Prevention Project
A collaborative effort between the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry, California Prevention Education Project, Brighter Beginnings and BARAASEC. The project targets communities within East Oakland zip codes and focuses on sponsoring prevention education workshops and events for youth, young adults and women.
Health Education Fair
Allen Temple's Health and Social Services Ministry sponsors a health awareness fair annually in August. It is a take action oriented event which motivates people to learn more about their health and to take preventative action. Healthcare topics focus not only on HIV/AIDS, but also, mental health, nutrition, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma.
East Bay AIDS Walk®
The East Bay AIDS Walk is an annual fund raising event in Oakland, California. Funds raised by the event assists East Bay AIDS community and faith-based organizations to expand their services to persons living with AIDS locally and internationally. Due to a city-planned redevelopment for Lake Merritt (the location of the Walk), the event was cancelled for 2009 and will be re-launched in 2010.
Health and Living Case Management Services
In collaboration with the City of Refuge United Church and the Y.A. Flunder Foundation, the Ministry offers medical case management which includes agency referrals and recommendations for services and resources such as medical care, in home nursing and affordable housing to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Allen Temple Manor Housing
The Allen Temple AIDS Ministry recognized the absence of affordable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. As a result, we partnered with American Baptist Homes of the West and answered a growing need. The Manor, one of the nation's first federally funded HIV housing communities offers a welcoming and affirming environment for individuals with HIV/AIDS and disabilities.
Our Efforts
For over 20 years, the Ministry has delivered critical resources, positive enrichment and support to people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and also, to their loved ones and families. Through our prevention education and testing programs, we have helped to reduce the spread of the disease. We've measured our success by our ability to see and understand a need and then, to create programs and services which directly respond to the need and impact the lives of people.
* Oakland Tribune February 2009
† www.getscreenedoakland.org
