SPC Creates New Committees

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and partner agencies have worked together to create three new SPC committees. They are: Faith Responds to AIDS, Crystal Meth Task Force, and the Employment Task Force. The SPC created the new committees in response to recent changes and interest by the HIV/AIDS community.

The Faith Responds to AIDS committee began as an AFC-funded collaboration called Faith in Prevention, to begin to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS and provide outreach and prevention to the faith community. Funded partners and AFC plan to expand the partnership to include a wider range of denominations and geographical locations of churches. Participants raise AIDS awareness through outreach, counseling and testing, and prevention work in churches. Through the committee, AFC looks forward to helping more churches become involved in HIV education and prevention.

The Crystal Meth Task Force, led by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Public Health, originated as a response to growing community concerns around the use and abuse of crystal meth among gay men. The task force, consisting of substance abuse treament providers, HIV/AIDS service organizations, LGBT leaders, members of public health and law enforcement, and community members meets regularly to share information and address needs and gaps in the response to crystal in Chicago. A focus of the task force has been creating and disseminating social marketing materials which raise awareness about the harms of crystal meth and provide culturally competent messaging for gay men all along the spectrum of use to abuse. For example, they have collaborated with the creative agency Lápiz, for a crystal meth awareness campaign, "Crystal Breaks," which was unveiled at Halsted Market Days and continues into 2006. Potential plans for the task force include an expansion of focus into the use and abuse of other substances. For more information, please contact co-chairs Jim Pickett at 312-334-0920 or Simone Koehlinger at 312-747-9632.

The Employment Task Force is a partnership between AFC and Chicago House and Social Service Agency to engage and educate people living with HIV/AIDS to return or enter the workforce. Employment can increase individuals independence and self-esteem while helping them supplement their income. If structured correctly, individuals can return to work without losing their social security or insurance benefits. There are also plans for educational outreach to case managers, employers, and physicians to discuss work readiness assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. The task force has implemented a work-readiness program that offers a 4-week employment prep course, case management, and support groups for participating individuals. With the first pilot project completed, there have been success stories already with individuals returning to work. The task force is looking forward to broadening the partnership and sustaining this client-centered employment initiative.

For more information on other SPC committees, please click here.