AARTH January 2023 Newsletter

AARTH COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS JANUARY 2023 WWW.AARTH.ORG

Mental Health First Aid Certification FRIDAY, JAN 27 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM | ONLINE

Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. All participants are eligible to receive a gift card for their complete participation. All attendees will be placed in a raffle. Instructor: Angeilea Yancey Watson

New Year Celebration with Providence Elderplace WEDNESDAY, JAN 4 | 2:00-5:00 PM 1414 Central Ave S., Ste 110, Kent Refreshments, Self-care kits, Photo Booth and more! Free to Attend.

Over The Counter Covid-19 Tests, Sanitizer & Clorox Wipes Available

If you or your organization need any of these supplies, please contact renac@aarth.org and arrange a pick up time. We get new supplies regularly to share with the community. #TBYG - Test Before You Gather.

Free Food Box Distribution THURSDAY, FEB 9 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Register to receive a free, and healthy food box, which will contain a mixture of perishable, and non-perishable items. The food boxes will be located at the AARTH office for pick up. Online registration is required. Anyone is welcome to register for a free food box.

THERE ARE TREATMENTS THAT MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU

Oral antiviral treatments are currently available to treat COVID-19 for people who are: at least 12 years old weigh at least 88 pounds at higher risk of becoming hospitalized or dying from the virus For more information call 1-800-5250127, then press # or visit www.doh.wa.gov/COVID19Telehealth.

This is at no cost to you, even if you do not have insurance.

REGISTER FOR ALL WORKSHOPS at www.aarth.org

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Join with AARTH to Move Toward Ending HIV in 2023!

As we begin a new year, we must all remember that HIV continues to ravage our communities. There are over 14, 000 people in Washington living with HIV; over 7,000 live in King County. Blacks/African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by this disease due to the social determinants of health that impact their overall health and well-being. Racism, discrimination, HIV stigma, and homophobia increase risks and complicate the lives of those with this disease.

END HIV

Get tested and encourage your friends and loved ones to be tested. There are medications available now that can reduce the impact of HIV on individuals as well as reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. The first thing, however, is to find out if you have HIV. People are living longer and living well with this disease.

Encourage people living with HIV to seek treatment to decrease their viral load. African American people have lower percentages of viral suppression compared to all people with HIV. Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load (or staying virally suppressed) can prevent transmission to others.

Learn about preventing HIV and encourage others to lessen their risks. There is medication available now that can reduce the risk of getting HIV. It is called PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). If you are a health provider ( doctor, nurse, social worker, etc.), enroll in our academic detailing program to receive information and one-on-one coaching, encouragement, and support. For more information, visit https://mwaetc.org/washington-state-hiv-prevention-detailing-program or contact Dr. Renee McCoy, reneem@aarth.org.

The best thing we can all do is to get involved in preventing HIV and in caring for persons living with this disease. There is something everyone can do to end HIV! During the new year, AARTH will initiate a number of prevention education programs to help all of us work in partnership to combat HIV. Make fighting this disease one of YOUR new year’s resolutions. Let 2023 be the year we revive efforts to combat HIV.

TUESDAY, JAN 17 MSNBC & Noticias Telemundo Restores individuals and communities to wholeness Repairs the damage caused by racism Facilitates trust Builds authentic relationships Bridges divides Racial healing is at the heart of racial equity – the people work that leads to community, organizational and systems transformation. Watch the primetime townhalls on MSNBC and Noticias Telemundo, broadcast in partnership with NBCUniversal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.aarth.org

AARTH Historical Video Series The entire 13 volume series of videos are now available for viewing on AARTH's website or YouTube Channel.

Each video is a micromoment of AARTH's historical journey over the past 20 years,

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Community Events!

National Black HIV Awareness Day at New Beginnings!

SUNDAY, JAN 29 8:00 & 10:30 AM SERVICES New Beginnings Christian Fellowship 19300 108th Ave SE, Kent, WA In preparation for National Black HIV Awareness Day on February 7, 2023, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship has designated Sunday, January 29, 2023 as HIV Awareness Day. A special worship service focused on the impact of HIV on our communities will be conducted to spiritually empower people of faith to work to end the HIV pandemic that has devastated communities throughout the world for over four decades. The day will also provide opportunities to learn more about the disease and feature education from community-based HIV and health organizations. This event promises to provide tools people of faith can use to produce healthier families and communities.

Attendees are encouraged to wear red.

Observing National Black HIV Awareness Day is a way to continue fighting to stop this disease. It is also an occasion to acknowledge and honor those who continue to live with HIV and to remember the many thousands who have died because of its relentless assaults on their bodies.

Join us on Social Media

JAN 20 & 22 | SEATTLE OPERA HOUSE Tickets are going fast for this opera featuring J'Nai Bridges, Tacoma, Jack n Jill alumni, NAACP ACT-SO awardee and daughter of Pam and Paris Bridges. J'Nai is debuting in her first Seattle Opera.

Tickets available at www.seattleopera.org/on-stage/2023-samson-delilah-in-concert

SATURDAY, MAR 25 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM LYNNWOOD CONVENTION CENTER The Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter invites you to join us for the 2023 Journey Conference for dementia family caregivers. This conference offers tools and encouragement to unpaid family caregivers supporting a loved one with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of dementia. Topics to be covered include emergency planning, difficult conversations, and practical tips for everyday living.

Keynote Address: Carolyn Birrell, Author Walking with Fay: My Mother’s Uncharted Path Into Dementia REGISTER TODAY: alzwa.org/conferences | 1.800.272.3900 Registration cost: $10 (virtual attendance option available) Questions? Contact: Journeyfamilycaregiverconf@alz.org | 425.654.0947

Please like/subscribe to our pages on social media.

REGISTER FOR ALL WORKSHOPS at www.aarth.org

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AARTH TEAM Kathleen Wilcox Executive Director kathleenw@aarth.org

Rena Cann Outreach Coordinator Office Assistant renac@aarth.org

The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines can help prevent cancer. Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Now, thanks to cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, it is the most preventable of all female cancers. About 79 million people, most in their late teens and early 20s, are currently infected with HPV, and an additional 14 million are estimated to be infected each year–a compelling reason to protect preteens and teens early through vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HPV vaccination for 11- and 12-year-old girls and boys, as well as for young women ages 13 through 26 and young men ages 13 through 21 who have not yet been vaccinated. Only 57 percent of adolescent girls and 35 percent of adolescent boys have received the first shot of HPV vaccine in a three-dose series. Those who are not fully vaccinated remain vulnerable to devastating cancers caused by HPV.

Twanda Hill Consultant Covid 19 & ELAW twandah@aarth.org Dr. Renee McCoy HIV/AIDS Project Manager reneem@aarth.org Angeilea' Yancey-Watson Lead Program Coordinator Elders Living & Aging Well (ELAW) angeileay@aarth.org Kimberly Breland Accountant Asantewa Antobam Data Entry Support 901 Rainier Ave N. Suite B102 Renton, WA 98057 206.850.2070

Thank you to our Sponsors AARTH is able to provide the workshops and classes for FREE thanks to grants and support from our sponsors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.aarth.org

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