Newsroom

Speaking Out for a Group Once Unheard-Of: Aging With AIDS

There’s an eye-opening article in the NY Times today about being an advocate for older adults diagnosed with H.I.V. and AIDS. There is an alarming rate of infection among older Americans. In 2005, 15 percent of new H.I.V. and AIDS diagnoses were among people over the age of 50, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet government recommendations call for routine AIDS screening only up to age 64, omitting the elderly population. “What about people 65 and older?” Mr. Gold asked. “They’re having unprotected sex, they’re using drugs.” He says that is why he continues his advocacy for people with AIDS and for stronger prevention efforts. Click here to read the entire article. Want to get more involved as an Advocate for this issue in our area? Here is a good website to start at: http://www.aaacap.org/

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How to become an Advocate for Change–learn how to make a difference in your community

The non-partisan Leadership Academy for Public Service is a three-night program that addresses sensible and specific strategies for assessing, planning, and organizing a political campaign. Mondays, November 10, 17 and 24 from 5:30 – 9:00 pmAustin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., 7th FloorRegistration: $285 (includes course materials and light dinners) Click here to learn more…

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Is your Nonprofit using video to tell your story?

If you’re not, you should! We started doing videos a while ago and it has just taken off (remember our Blog Action Day/YouTube explosion?!?). One of my Linkedin connections sent this to video produced by See3 Communications. It’s a quick intro in using videos with your nonprofit. So what are you waiting for? Go get that Flip camera and sign up on YouTube! 1. The World We Live In from See3 Communications on Vimeo Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel! Mando

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It’s Flu Season!!

2-1-1 is the point of contact for information about free and low cost flu shots for adults and children. Who offers flu shots?Public Clinics – City Clinics, or “free” Clinics, examples: Shots for Tots, Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County. Eligibility: Uninsured and underinsured adults and children in the service area (> 6 mos.). Non-profits – $10-15, or Donations accepted, examples: St. Mark’s Medical Center, Community Health Centers, Other Non-profits. Private Providers, $25 – $30, examples: Randall’s, HEB, LAMAR Drug Store. When does the flu season start/finish?Generally October – April. For more information and answers to other flu-shot questions, call 2-1-1. Be sure to check back often as the most up-to-date information will change throughout flu season. 2-1-1 does not give any medical advice. If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.

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Catholic Charities of Central Texas is offering Medicare Part D Enrollment, flu shots

Are you or someone you know a member of the east Austin senior community, and need assistance with Medicare Part D Enrollment or a flu shot? Catholic Charities of Central Texas, in partnership with the Texas Department of Insurance, Travis County Health Department, and the Area Agency on Aging is sponsoring a community outreach, Medicare Part D Enrollment, on Friday, November 21st, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at their main office at 1817 East 6th Street, Austin, TX. 78702. (Caridades Católicas de Tejas Central, en sociedad con el departamento de Tejas de Seguro, el departamento de la salud del condado de Travis, y la agencia del área en el envejecimiento están patrocinando ayuda a la comunidad, con inscripción de la parte D de Seguro de enfermedad Medicare y prescripciones de medicinas, el viernes 21 de noviembre de 2008 del 10:00 de la mañana hasta las 2:00 de la tarde en su oficina principal en 1817 la calle seis del este, Austin, TX. 78702. ) In addition to the Medicare Part D Enrollment, free flu shots will be available on a first come first served basis. The target audience for this event is the east Austin senior community as well as Catholic Charities internal clients. Their mission is to help with the high costs of prescriptions by equipping participants with knowledge and access to the on-line open enrollment, in a safe, friendly environment. Several bilingual staff and volunteers will be available to help seniors access their information. Catholic Charities […]

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Money Is Tight, and Junk Food Beckons

From yesterday’s NY Times, a must-read article about nutrition and a low-income diet: The World Bank says nearly a billion people around the world live on a dollar a day, or even less; in the United States, the daily food-stamp allowance is typically just a few dollars per person, while the average American eats $7 worth of food per day. Last year, Dr. Drewnowski led a study, published in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, comparing the prices of 370 foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. The study showed that “energy dense” junk foods, which pack the most calories and fewest nutrients per gram, were far less expensive than nutrient-rich, lower-calorie foods like fruits and vegetables. The prices of the most healthful foods surged 19.5 percent over the two-year study period, while the junk food prices dropped 1.8 percent. Do you think it’s possible to eat healthy on a dollar a day in Central Texas? Click here to read the entire article.

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Most uninsured Texas children have working parents

A sobering article appeared yesterday in the Austin American Statesman. There are plenty of misconceptions about who the uninsured are in this state, and this article helps dispel some of them. When we partnered with The Ray Marshall Center at UT, to research the most pressing health and human service issues facing Central Texas, we received similar disturbing wake up calls about the reality of limited health care access in our community. Our new approach to funding Health-related programs is focused on filling gaps in community healthcare that need the most attention–because we know that with funding, volunteer and advocacy support, articles like this can be replaced with good news of more Central Texans receiving the healthcare access they deserve. An excerpt of the article: Texas still has more uninsured children than any other state, and a new analysis shows that those children aren’t who people may think. The majority of uninsured children in Texas — 89.5 percent — have at least one working parent, according to Families USA , a Washington-based nonprofit group that commissioned the analysis from the U.S. Census Bureau. “There’s some mythology about uninsured families and uninsured children, and that mythology essentially tends to think about the uninsured being people who are looking for a handout, who are seeking welfare, when the precise opposite is true,” said Ron Pollack , executive director of Families USA, which advocates making health care available to all Americans. “These are people who play by the rules. They work hard; they […]

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