It looks like updates are needed. The change.gov site is now closed. Folks are directed to http://www.whitehouse.gov. I’ve had trouble finding the invitation page from the home page. Your link, above, looks good. But since the change.gov site appears to have been closed, I wonder if posted invitations would be received?

Thanks for updates,

Joan

First I’d like to tell you a little bit about this particular event that I implemented and developed out of my own backyard. The first event was held in August 2006, second event August 2008 and the upcoming event will be held August 8, 2009. I have copied the

Program Summary below for your information. It would be an honor if you or a representative from the White House would be willing to be our guest speaker. I picked up the July 2009 Essence Magazine and was very impressed with the President’s plan for HIV and Black Women.

Our website is in the construction phase, but it will give you an insight on our organization.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

“Jackie’s Call to Women of Color Social Gathering II” is a community-based demonstration project and enhancement of the Get it Done Initiative.

Goal:

To improve the health status of targeted Women of Color populations (with an emphasis on heterosexual women; in Rochester, NY through health promotion and disease risk reduction intervention activities within a “safe” place /social network. Information gleamed from Jackie’s Call to Women of Color Social Gathering II will be sustained through an on-going Social Network that foster health-seeking behaviors

Outcome Objectives:

(1) Increase access to health promotion/ disease risk reduction prevention interventions with a focus on HIV inclusive of HIV preventive vaccines, and STDs to 150-250 Women of Color, who may or may not represent traditional at-risk populations,

(2) Increase in knowledge and attitude by target group of the severity and impact of HIV/AIDS on women of color particularly African American.

Although I’m out in the community and doing outreach work to others, I don’t feel that my family and friends are fully aware of what it is I really do. They are aware that I work with an agency that does prevention of HIV/AIDS, STDs, but I don’t think to what extent, even though I do talk to them in general but not on a level were they can acknowledge and comprehend the extent of my work.

On August 19, 2006, I invited 100 Women of Color to my backyard for a social gathering. Out of the 100 women invited, 86 women of color attended on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The response was overwhelming. There was a essay in the D&C the Friday prior to the event and it reached the community like a flash of lightening. Women wanted to know where the event was being held and if they
could attend. For example, my girlfriend went to pick up 4 dozen yellow stem roses (which was handed out to all women who attended) at Wegmans in Henrietta and when she approached the counter and talked about the event, she stated that there were women in line talking about the event and wanted to know if they could attend. More than 75% of the women who attended stated that they would attend again, as they felt comfortable in discussing their issues in a setting such as this. The highlights were that women were able to disclose their status; talk about their relationships and family issues and were not judged.

I have a close female friend who is African American; who refused to
take one of our outreach bags because the word AIDS is written on them,” stated Jackie Dozier, Executive Assistant of BMLMHC, Inc. I have a relative who has been married for almost twenty years and her husband has slept around for most of that and she is well aware of his infidelity, yet he refuses to wear a condom with her and she doesn’t insist, because he is her husband.

I have had a family member die of AIDS about 12 years ago and before his death there was no mention of the word HIV/AIDS. It was a “hush hush” topic, as is today. No one in my family has ever discussed my cousin dying of AIDS, not even his parents to each other. I had a conversation with two of my neighbors, who are both in their 50s/60s and widows.

They both stated that they didn’t discuss “No HIV/AIDS, that’s a nasty gay man disease, what I need to know bout it for, ain’t no black man gonna give me that mess”, further more, I just do what I gonna do and be done. As fast as we do it, we done so quick, can’t know HIV/AIDS get up in me”.

These are just a few of the reasons I decided to facilitate a Women of Color Social Gathering for family, friends and neighbors who are not in the streets doing risky behavior things, or on drugs/alcohol. These are the low–income to middle age women who are in monogamous relationships and don’t feel they are at risk because of the lifestyles they live. To some HIV/AIDS don’t exist in their worlds because they’re the “significant others” who cook, clean, go to church and take care of the kids”. There are many programs for women of color who are in drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, but none for women of other social economic backgrounds who are faithful in their relationships. Such as the women I’ve mentioned above.

An integrated approach to HIV/STD prevention is needed in communities of color, particularly for black women. Women of color (particularly African American women) who are at the highest risk for HIV infection, yet there are still only a few prevention programs that target this population. Most of the individuals live right in the “heart” of the city. African American women in the City of Rochester were
identified as highest priority for assessment. The goal here is to create a “safe space” (social network) for women of color from different social backgrounds; other than those who are already high risk individuals and to raise awareness of the high incidence of STD/HIV in women of color; and how this relates to them being at risk. To address issues affecting their overall health and wellness and to provide knowledge, develop skills, and foster attitudes necessary for women of color to feel empowered to make the decision to use condoms with their partners.

Need:

The idea of health education in safe places and social networks stem from years of qualitative community-based participatory research and the idea that trusted community members such as natural helpers are good vehicles for disseminating evidence-based health promotion messages, especially relating to preventable diseases.

Program Plan:

Includes an informal gathering which will be held August 8, 2009 for a full day at a Local fruit and vegetable farm in the heart of the community called the Vineyard.

Incentives:

Participants will be provided with breakfast and lunch. Pampering
Sessions, such as free manicures, pedicures, eyebrow arches, massages, etc. and other incenatives will be available and Special Guest Speakers, i.e. HIV Positive women of color who will give their testimonies along with other women and girls who will co-facilitate. Testing will be available on-site.

Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Jackie Dozier, Acting Director
Black Men Latino Men Health Crisis, Inc.
87 N. Clinton Avenue – 4th Floor
Rochester, New York 14604
(585) 246-3787 (ofc)
(585) 760-3447 (c)

A CALL TO WOMEN OF COLOR SOCIAL GATHERING
AGES 13-65+
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009
9:00A.M.-6:00P.M.

FREE FOOD
DOOR PRIZES, ENTERTAINMENT, VENDORS
PAMPERING/SOCIALIZING GOOD TIME
IF YOU’D LIKE TO ATTEND
YOU MUST REGISTER.

PLEASE CONTACT
Jackie Dozier
(Ph): 585-246-3738
(C): 585-760-3447
jdozier@achcrochester.org

This is the largest benefits event in the nation and is attended by over 1200 benefits professionals every year. The event is taking place September 13-15 at the Atlanta Hilton.

With whom may I follow up on this request? Please contact me- I am the Program Manager for the Benefits Forum. Many thanks.

Kind regards,
Tammy Scholtes
(212) 803-8306

This is too cool! There will be text messaging and webcasts so that everybody across the country can be a part of it, plus free or low cost tickets to the event in D.C.

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=139