The Season of Giving

Did you know that we're the largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization in Indiana? Here are ten reasons to give a little extra this holiday season:

YOU can help make a difference!
Make a donation at www.damien.org/donate

#10: You can help serve the most people infected and affected by HIV in Indiana. Last year, we helped 1,230 people with HIV/AIDS; this holiday season, we expect to serve nearly twice as many people in December as we did last year.

#9: You can help end hunger. People living with HIV need nutritious meals to help their immune system fight the disease. We gave out over 150,000 pounds of food through our pantry this year.

#8: You can help shelter people with HIV. Stable, affordable housing helps people with HIV stay on medication. We helped house 70 families in 2011.

#7: You can help prevent the spread of HIV. We provided more than 2,000 free and confidential HIV tests so far this year - up from last year's total of 1,533.

#6: You can help keep young people safe from the disease; individuals 20-24 account for the highest rates of new infections. We reached more than 700 young people with information on how HIV is transmitted and how to keep themselves safe this year, and we expect that number to double in 2012.

#5: You can help end stigma and discrimination. We provide legal services for people infected or affected by HIV with discrimination issues, living and legal wills, and various other civil legal matters.

#4: You can help people with HIV get jobs. As medications get better, more people with HIV are living healthy lives they didn’t expect to have; we teach skills that help them reenter the workforce.

#3: You can help formerly incarcerated individuals receive interventions that reduce substance abuse and other risky behaviors. We help these individuals keep themselves and others safe from HIV.

#2: You can help link people with HIV to health insurance that makes life-saving medication affordable.

#1: You can help us end HIV. We distribute more than 5,000 condoms every year; without a cure, condoms are one of the only sure-fire ways we can stop the spread of HIV. 

World AIDS Day - ten ways to get to zero!

HIV is a worldwide epidemic, and it’s affecting every part of our local community; in Indiana, there were 9,837 people living with HIV/AIDS in 2010. This year, World AIDS Day on December 1 is all about “Getting to Zero” – that is, zero HIV-related deaths, zero new infections, and zero stigma. Here are ten ways you can help observe World AIDS Day, make a difference, and help your community get to zero:

1. Talk about it openly and honestly. HIV isn’t something to be ashamed of, but there’s a lot of stigma surrounding the disease. Just being open to talking about it can make people less afraid and more proactive in protecting themselves and their loved ones.
2. Wear a condom. This is the best way of protecting yourself – and it can be the most fun! Ribbed, magnum, ultra-thin - there are hundreds of different kinds of condoms from which to choose, and there’s a perfect condom for every situation. Don’t forget about insertive/female condoms! Many public health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS service organizations give out quality condoms for free.
3. Get tested. Many people don’t show symptoms of HIV for 10 or more years; nation-wide, one in five people don’t know that they’re HIV+. The only way to know for sure is to get tested, and many places just need a swab – no blood necessary! Remember that getting tested means checking in to see if you’ve been doing a good job; testing doesn’t prevent the disease from happening. The Damien Center has free and confidential HIV, STD, and pregnancy testing. (www.damien.org)
4. Get involved. There’s dozens of events each year that you can participate in to raise awareness – and many are listed in your local community calendars! Some events, like Dining Out for Life, make it easy to participate. Many local businesses, like Just Pop In located in Broad Ripple and the airport, donate proceeds from sales year-round to local HIV/AIDS service organizations. (Just Pop In is helping The Damien Center get to zero on December 1 – check it out at justpopinonline.com!)
5. Educate yourself. Talk to your doctor or a local HIV/AIDS service organization to learn more about the disease. Know that it’s not transmitted through casual contact like hugging or coughing, but rather through an exchange of body fluids like semen, blood, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. Go to AIDS.gov for easy HIV basics!
6. Drink in moderation. Consuming alcohol can impair your judgment, leading to unsafe sex or other decisions you might not normally make. Have fun, but always keep a clear mind!
7. If you’re HIV+, be sure to take your medications on-time every time. This helps reduce the amount of virus in your body, which also lowers the chances you’ll transmit HIV. Just remember that you can still transmit HIV to your partner even if you have a low viral load – so always use a condom.
8. Volunteer. It’s one of the best ways to see the impact you’re making in the lives of people infected or affected by the disease. Most HIV/AIDS service organizations couldn’t survive without the help of generous volunteers!
9. Donate. Volunteering goes a long way toward helping people, but monetary contributions are essential. With funders cutting back on their grant money due to the recession, nonprofits helping HIV/AIDS patients are relying on individual contributions more than ever.
10. Spread the word. Educating a friend about HIV/AIDS could save their life – and you might never know it. Even a simple Facebook status or tweet about wearing a condom or getting tested helps raise awareness. Connect with organizations like The Damien Center on Facebook or through Twitter @damiencenter for ways you can help spread the word and get Indiana down to zero!

Costume Ideas: Straight from Mad Men

Welcome to the Costume Ideas blog series! This series is intended to inspire your inner fashion designer so you can look like you stepped out of the 1950/60s when you walk into Mad Masquerade.


This week, we're taking a look at AMC Mad Men's Season 4 Fashion Gallery! The gallery showcases many fantastic outfits, but these are our top three.

1. Joan's "Wave" Dress: We love it! Much like Janie Bryant, costume designer for Mad Men, we're attracted to the ruffles at the collar and sleeve. We also love the high contrast between the darker blue and the white, creating a cleaner look. Accessories weren't emphasized in the 60s, and she does a very good job of keeping using the gold accents to enhance her look without dominating it.

2. Stan Rizzo's Suit: Even though it wasn't particularly characteristic of the early 60s, Stan did a pretty good job of being trendy with this green plaid suit. "He's one of our more modern characters who takes a casual approach to being at work," says Bryant. The late sixties was a movement away from the fifties - so while the gray flannel suit is the standard, Stan shows us that we're able to be more creative!

3. Faye Miller's Black and White: Her look is eye catching with the bold black and white print; her bold lipstick only helps to emphasize the overall look's strength. Her gray skirt is houndstooth, shown below and to the left.


For more ideas straight from Mad Men, please visit their Season 4 Fashion Gallery! (Of course, we own none of these images; they were taken directly out of the Season 4 Fashion Gallery. Many thanks to Janie Bryan for her inspirational vintage fashion!)

Mad Masquerade Costume Ideas

Welcome to the Costume Ideas blog series! This series is intended to inspire your inner fashion designer so you can look like you stepped out of the 1950/60s when you walk into Mad Masquerade.


Men in the 1950s and early 60s were very traditional; this was the era of the man in a gray suit. Coats were unwaisted with one or three buttons, typically worn with a white shirt, tie, and cufflinks. Other common suit colors were tan or navy. Pennyloafer shoes and a hat (usually a fedora) rounded out the look.


The mid-to-late 60s saw more diversity in men's fashion than ever - brighter colored dress shirts like plaid were more accepted. Ties were changing sizes (both to skinny ties and wide ties) with stripes and patterns - unheard of just a decade earlier. Suits became more tailored, thanks to Italian designer influence.


Where to find this vintage menswear? Try Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection, geared specifically toward the Mad Men look! (A promo shot from the collection can be seen to the bottom right.) They also have a pretty nice Mad Men collection for women, too! Other suitable options can be found at J Crew. (Picture top right.)


Are you excited about Mad Masquerade yet? Purchase tickets your tickets now - prices go up in just a few weeks!

Costume Ideas: The Cold War Woman - Grande Masquerade

Welcome to the Costume Ideas blog series! This series is intended to inspire your inner fashion designer so you can look like you stepped out of the 1950/60s when you walk into Mad Masquerade.

During WWII, society saw many men leave the country to fight, and many women stepped up and took traditionally male jobs. When WWII ended in 1945, the United States saw an influx of men returning to the workforce, pushing many women back into more traditional roles.

Because of this push, we see women's fashion in the 50s accentuate traditional femininity through tighter waists, wider busts, and curvy hips - in other words, an hourglass silhouette. Pencil skirts became popular in the workplace.

The early 60s followed First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; feminine elegance was the mantra. The First Lady popularized the pillbox hat, and dresses were simple and geometric. The sixties saw a distance from the more conservative colors of the 50s, enjoying brighter colors and bolder patterns.

But where can you find these clothes? Take a look at this magenta "Work to Wow" dress from ModCloth.com. Notice the hourglass shape; this dress could have been popular in the workplace. In fact, take a look at all of the 1950s/60s dresses from Modcloth - it's a great place for vintage-inspired clothing.

Also consider this black "Five to Nine" dress from Shabby Apple, another online retailer specializing in vintage-inspired clothing; taking a cue from Jackie Kennedy, this black dress features a thin collar, has soft shoulders, and a loose, feminine bow near the neck.

World Hepatitis Day

This Thursday (July 28) is World Hepatitis Day! Hepatitis is when your liver is inflamed, and five viruses are known to cause it. Here are our top five reasons we care.

1) A lot of people with HIV are also infected with hepatitis because it's a similar mode of transmission. In fact, the CDC reports that 50-90% of people who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use are living with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

2) One in twelve people in the world are infected with either hepatitis B or C, according to the World Hepatitis Alliance.

3) At a presentation by ViiV today at The Damien Center, hepatitis drugs can often interfere with HIV drugs. Sometimes, this makes doctors choose between treating HIV or treating the hepatitis.

4) The CDC also notes that HCV is more serious in people who are also infected with HIV. A coinfection (when a person has more than one infection) leads to quicker liver damage.

5) Your liver is part of what cleans your blood and gets rid of toxins. If left untreated, people with viral hepatitis can have liver scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, death, and more. The good news is that we have vaccines for hepatitis A and B and treatment for all forms of viral hepatitis - you just need to get tested and know!

6) (BONUS!) A bonus reason that we care about hepatitis is because some people can go for years without having any symptoms. It's very important that you are tested for hepatitis as regularly as you're tested for HIV!

For more information about World Hepatitis Day, please visit the World Hepatitis Alliance.

Have you had your vaccinations for hepatitis A and B? Have you also been tested for hepatitis C? What are you doing to stay safe? Let us know!

Saturday Testing - New Hours!

Our Saturday testing is temporarily changing! Walgreens on 16th and Meridian is undergoing a renovation, so we'll be testing here at The Damien Center's Joseph F. Miller Testing Center (26 N Arsenal Ave) the first four Saturdays of the month from 10-3. We're excited to see the new building when it's finished!

Mad Masquerade

Have you seen this year's Grande Masquerade theme yet? If not, it's our pleasure to introduce Mad Masquerade, held Saturday, October 22, at the Indianapolis Mariott Downtown!

This year's event takes place in 1950s-60s America. This post-World War II period marked the birth of cocktail hours, beehives, and Barbie. Elvis Presley ruled the stage, public fascination with Outer Space reached an all-time high, and Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Elizabeth Taylor began her career, later championing the HIV/AIDS cause.

Does this sound like your cup of tea? If so, grab yourself some tickets! Prices go up $25 per ticket after October 14th, so be sure to get them early!

General Admission: $135

VIP: $175

Table of 10: $1350

VIP Table of 10: $1750

The VIP reception begins at 6pm, with general admission cocktails at 6:30. Dinner, silent auction, and entertainment starts at 7:30, with dancing starting at 10 and lasting until midnight.

For more information, please contact Brenden Hudson at bhudson@damien.org or at 317-632-0123 x237.

New Hours

Did you know that we have new hours for Care Coordination and the food pantry? We hope that these hours are more consistent and easy to remember! Our testing hours are staying the same, and we're still open late for testing on Tuesday and Thursday. Our Saturday testing hours are the same, too!

Hours of Operation:

• Mon: 9-6
• Tue: 9-6
• Wed: 11-6
• Thu: 9-6
• Fri: 9-5

Food Pantry Hours:

• Mon: 9-5
• Tue: 9-5
• Wed: 11-5
• Thu: 9-5
• Fri: 9-5

Testing Hours:

• Mon: 9-5
• Tue: 9-7
• Wed: 11-5
• Thu: 9-7
• Fri: 9-2

Saturday Testing Hours:

• 1st and 3rd Saturdays: 10-2 @ Walgreens on 16th and Meridian
• 2nd and 4th Saturdays: 10-3 @ our Joseph F. Miller Testing Center (26 N Arsenal Ave)

If you have any questions about our new hours, feel free to call us at 317-632-0123 or email us at info@damien.org!

June Volunteer Training

There's less than a week left until our next volunteer training! It will be held next Tuesday, June 21, from 5:30-8:30.

All volunteers for The Damien Center are required to attend a volunteer training. At the training, they'll learn all about our agency, our various programs, and our many volunteer opportunities. Additionally, participants will learn about the history of HIV, ways it's transmitted, and how to protect yourself. It's very educational!

Pregnancy Testing

We are proud to announce that we are offering free pregnancy testing!

Pregnancy testing is another essential addition to our repertoire. We currently offer free HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

Our Joseph F. Miller Testing Center is open:

• Monday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tuesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Wednesday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Thursday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

The Joseph F. Miller Testing Center is located on-site at:

26 N. Arsenal Ave

Indianapolis, IN 46201

Dining Out for Life Volunteer Spotlight - Jeff K.

Our Dining Out for Life volunteer spotlight is Jeff K! Not only is he energetic and willing to donate time to our testing desk every other week, but he also went through a scheduled Ambassador training, he has been promoting Dining Out for Life at his workplace, and he went out to recruit restaurants for us!

Here's a look at Jeff:

• Have you ever held a volunteer position before?

I have volunteered as a Big Brother, and coached Babe Ruth and Bambino baseball. I also serve in the National Guard.

• What sparked your interest in volunteering with The Damien Center? How do you hope to serve the community and our clients here at The Damien Center?

I have always believed one should give back to your community. It strengthens the community as well as your citizenship. I hope to apply the "Hoosier Values" of hard work, honesty, and common sense to every endeavor assigned.

• What has been your most memorable moment while volunteering at The Damien Center?

It is whenever I get a look of satisfaction from a client when helping them to resolve an issue.

• What are some attributes that you feel you contribute to The Damien Center and your assigned position?

I try to have fun, remain positive, stay enthusiastic, and espouse the belief to all who will listen that with each new day comes a new beginning.

• What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I love sports, apple pie, working/playing outdoors, and listening to live music.

April Volunteer Spotlight - Paul K!

This month's volunteer spotlight is Paul K! Not only does he provide hours of service during both Dining Out for Life and Grande Masquerade, but he's very adamant in encouraging others to do the same.

Here's a look at Paul:

• Have you ever held a volunteer position before?

I volunteered for a similar organization in Washington, DC called the Whitman Walker Clinic. I worked in the HIV testing clinic for three years, and also did a little bit of HIV/AIDS education outreach for the organization.

• What sparked your interest in volunteering with The Damien Center?

As a person living with HIV and having other friends who also deal with this disease, I wanted to find a way to help others who have been infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the community.

• How do you hope to serve the community and our clients here at The Damien Center?

As a volunteer, I hope that I can show people in the community that HIV/AIDS can affect EVERYONE. Many young people and adults are sexually active, and some still believe that HIV/AIDS is a "gay" disease. I hope that I can be a voice for the organization that ANYONE who engages in unprotected sex can be at risk. The disease doesn't discriminate by age, race, sex, or sexual orientation!

• What has been your most memorable moment while volunteering at The Damien Center?

I think that being the volunteer coordinator for the 2010 Grande Masquerade has been my most memorable. We had a really great group of people who worked very hard to plan and pull off a successful experience/event last fall, and the volunteers that we found to help with the event were amazing! Without them, this event or many of the activities/services that The Damien Center provides would be difficult to manage.

• What are some attributes that you feel you contribute to The Damien Center and your assigned position?

Passion and compassion!

• What are your hobbies and interests?

Volunteering has become an important part of my life as I've gotten older. It's given me a great sense of hope and joy that I can make a difference in others' lives and makes me feel more connected to my community. I also love music and singing and have been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church choir since 2007. And as long as I still have any semblance of balance, I try and do a lot of in-line skating on the canal downtown or Monon Trail in the spring/summer.

Make Your Reservations Now!

Dining Out for Life is next Thursday - just a week away! Have you made your reservations yet? April 28th is a busy night, so be sure you have a spot at your favorite Dining Out for Life restaurant by making a reservation.

Are the restaurant choices dizzying? We understand. That's why we've built this restaurant map - so you can choose the restaurant that is most convenient for you on April 28! Restaurants with green markers will donate 25%, while restaurants with red markers will donate 50%. The Damien Center is the sun located downtown.

Check out our map at http://www.damien.org/map !

Make your reservations now!

Dining Out for Life in a nutshell: eat out, fight AIDS. It's that simple.

Eat at one of our 45 participating restaurants, and 25% - 50% of your bill goes to The Damien Center. There's no code to mention, no special menus - just do what you would normally do!

Additionally, you can win cool prizes, like the Hoosier Park Package or the Celebrate Indy Package. These packages contain hotel stays, VIP tickets to Hoosier Park, IRT ticket vouchers, private happy hour parties, and more! All you need to do is fill out a form at one of our participating restaurants - no donation is required to enter. Just check the box, give us your name and some way to contact you, and you're entered into our drawing!

The following is a list of all our participating restaurants:

Premier Restaurants are restaurants who donate 50% of their day's sales to The Damien Center. Our Premier Restaurants include:

Legacy Restaurants are restaurants who have participated in DOFL for 5 or more years. Our Legacy Restaurants include:

Adobo Grill

Agio

Amici's
Arni's
Athens on 86th

Bazbeaux

Cafe Patachou

Downtown Olly's

English Ivy's

Greek Islands
Hellas

Iaria's Italian Restaurant

Marco's Restaurant and Lounge
Metro Nightclub & Restaurant
R bistro

Ralph's Great Divide

Santorini Greek Kitchen

Partner Restaurants are restaurants that donate 25% of their day's sales to The Damien Center. Our Partner Restaurantsinclude:

501 Eagle

Aesop's Tables
Agio
Amici's
Arni's - North
Arni's - South
Athens on 86th
Bazbeaux - Broad Ripple
Bazbeaux - Carmel
Bazbeaux - Downtown
Cafe Patachou - 49th and Penn
Cafe Patachou - River Crossing
Cafe Patachou - Carmel
Cafe Patachou - Downtown
Circle City Bar & Grill - Indy Mariott Downtown
Creation Cafe
English Ivy's
Euphoria
Greek Islands
Hellas
Henry's on East
Hoaglin To Go - Indiana History Center
Hoaglin To Go - Mass Ave
Hue Dine
Iaria's Italian Restaurant
Mama Carollas

Marco's Restaurant and Lounge
Mesh on Mass
Metro Nightclub & Restaurant
Puccini's Smiling Teeth - East 82nd
Puccini's Smiling Teeth - Fall Creek
R bistro
Ralph's Great Divide
Recess
Red Lion Grog House
Served
Square Rootz Deli

Tastings

The Legend Cafe

Welcome our new staff!

In the past month, we have been fortunate to have new hires to help with our expanding programs. We'd like to welcome Ronny, and Jeremy to the Damien family! For more information about these individuals, please visit our staff page.

Ronny deLuna:

Ronny has a background in administration and patient relations. He is fluent in Spanish and often serves as a translator for the departments he works for. Having worked with the MCHD and Wishard hospital, Ronny is eager to offer his experience to The Damien Center and its clients as the Administrative Assistant.

Ronny enjoys spending his free time with his partner, family and friends.

Jeremy Turner:

Jeremy serves as the Client Services Enrichment Coordinator. In the new position, Jeremy will oversee operations in the Damien Center's Coby Palmer Food Pantry, plan and execute client-centered events, and work closely with the Client Service Committee to ensure the ongoing collaboration between the Damien Center and its client base.

Jeremy comes to the Damien Center from other AIDS service organizations in Southern Indiana (AIDS Resource Group) and Western Kentucky (Matthew 25 AIDS Services.) Jeremy is a former Prevention Program Coordinator, Red Cross HIV 101 Instructor, certified Indiana HIV Testing Counselor, “Street Smart” certified program facilitator, “Many Men, Many Voices” certified program facilitator and a recipient of community awards and accolades relating to his youth-based HIV and Substance Use prevention programs. In addition to prevention efforts, Jeremy has experience in grant writing, event/ fundraiser planning and agency food pantry operations.

Recently having relocated to Indianapolis from Evansville, Jeremy looks forward to using his background to help enhance Damien Center clients’ overall experience at the agency. In his free time Jeremy enjoys jogging, playing the piano and performing. Be sure to stop by his new office in the food pantry to say “hello!”

March Volunteer Spotlight - Betty S!

This month's volunteer spotlight is Betty S! Betty has been volunteering with The Damien Center since 2007 and has been very involved is us ever since. She has trained other volunteers and has been an active part of our outreach efforts, working booths at health fairs. She consistently works both the front desk and the testing reception desk, and she has been involved with both of our annual fundraisers: Dining Out for Life and Grande Masquerade.

Here's a look at Betty:

1. Have you ever held a volunteer position before?

For years I was a volunteer at Second Presbyterian Church, where I am now employed as a Christian Educator.

2. What sparked your interest in volunteering with the Damien Center?

In 1995, I learned for the first time that my brother was HIV+. Several weeks later, he was hospitalized with late stage AIDS. A friend brought me to the Damien Center’s support group, where I learned what to expect and how to respond to my brother’s illness. I could not have handled it without their help. During my visits with David, I was able to talk about difficult subjects. He was so afraid of being turned away, but he died knowing that all of us in our family loved him and always had. I am here to repay a long overdue debt to the Center for helping us give David peace before he died.

3. How do you hope to serve the community and our clients here at the Damien Center?

One thing I hope to do is raise the consciousness of the public about HIV and remove its stigma. I do that by teaching HIV 101 to students and volunteers and by answering the phone at the testing desk once a week. I also man the table at health fairs when my schedule permits. It’s a great way to meet the public and answer questions.

4. What has been your most memorable moment while volunteering at the Damien Center?

The real payoff is the relationships I build with the staff and clients at the Damien Center. That said, one of my greatest moments was when I won the costume contest at the Grande Masquerade in 2009. I couldn’t believe it! I will never forget having hundreds of gay men applaud when I stepped up as “Starlet O’Hara” in the green curtain dress. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win against some of those amazing and complex costumes that appear every year. (Even if you don’t dress in costume, volunteering there is some of the most fun you will ever have. I highly recommend it.)

5. What are some attributes that you feel you contribute to the Damien Center and your assigned position?

A lot of people don’t realize that I am an introvert; but I am proof you don’t have to be an extrovert to volunteer. I am driven by a desire to make a change in the way people with HIV are dealt with by the public and by public officials. In my very small way, I hope to make a difference by respecting the dignity and humanity of those with HIV.

6. What are your hobbies and interests?

I work at a church and love astronomy--and thus have both a vocation and avocation that bring conversation to a complete halt. (“Look at the time!”) I’m a certified scuba diver in search of warm water. And I am a “token straight” contributor to The Bilerico Project, an online group blog for LGBT interests. I love my life and the people in it, especially my sweet and patient husband of 32 years and my two wonderful children.

Thank you so much, Betty!

New Facebook Page

We're moving from our old profile to our new Page! This transition was spurred by Facebook's new update to Pages, letting us do more than ever before.

One of new Page features that we're particularly excited about is the ability to interact with other areas of Facebook as our brand. Before, this was something that was exclusive to profiles. Now, we can go to Indiana AIDS Walk's Page and let them know that Team Damien Center is going to be there! Our Page can go on to Like Nuvo, or tag GayIndy.com in one of our posts. Almost every reason that made us keep a profile is now made available to Pages.

But there's more. With a Page, we're able to surpass the 5,000-friend limit imposed on profiles, add and build our own apps, and get behind-the-scenes insights on who each of our messages reach. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

We'll delete our current profile once our new Page gains Fans and momentum, so be sure to Like our Page to get the latest updates in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Indianapolis!

Ambassador Trainings

Dining Out for Life relies heavily on its Ambassadors - volunteers stationed at one of our many, wonderful restaurants! It is important that every Ambassador attend a training - even if you've been an Ambassador before. We have some new, exciting parts of this event, and we don't want our Ambassadors to miss out! If you would like to help out with the largest restaurant event in Indianapolis, come to a training on:

• Thursday, March 31 from 9-11
• Thursday, March 31 from 6-8
• Saturday, April 2 from 10-2
• Tuesday, April 5 from 6-8

Please RSVP by calling Naomi at 317-632-0123 x262 or by emailing her at nwilliams@damien.org.

February Volunteer Spotlight - Phil G!

This month's volunteer spotlight is Phil G! Phil has been a long-time volunteer at The Damien Center, and he did a fantastic job in our new Speakers Bureau! Phil spoke on behalf of The Damien Center at Epworth United Methodist Church. This was the first speaking engagement for the Speaker's Bureau, and Phil did it admirably. You can often find Phil at the testing reception desk.

Have you ever held a volunteer position before?

No, nothing like this.

How do you hope to serve the community and our clients here at The Damien Center?

By doing whatever is needed of me, and attempting to further the mission.

What experience would you like to gain from your volunteer position here?

I'm not sure. I've done everything but clean the bathrooms!

What are some attributes that you feel you contribute to The Damien Center in your assigned position?

A smile in by voice and my heart, and an open mind.

What are your hobbies and interests?

• Working on my home and gardening
• Genealogy
• Crochet - I'd like to be more adept at it
• Working out at the gym and bicycling
• Purdue football
• Loving my family

Sneak Peek at our 2010 Report!

We're still processing some data for our 2010 Annual Report, but here is a sneak peek some exciting statistics that will be included!

• 98% of our clients rate their overall satisfaction of our food pantry as either neutral, somewhat satisfied, or highly satisfied. 78% of our clients said they were highly satisfied.
• Of our clients who responded to our survey and visited other food pantries in the Indianapolis area, 82.5% believe that our food pantry is at least as good, if not better, than other food pantries.
• The food pantry was accessed 4,416 times in 2010 and distributed 154,560 pounds of food.
• In 2010, we administered over 1,500 free HIV tests. Compared to the 974 free HIV tests administered in 2009, this is an increase of over 54%!

Naughty or Nice: A Smash Hit

On December 21, 2010, the National Touring Cast of Wicked put on a Christmas Cabaret to benefit The Damien Center's Coby Palmer Food Pantry Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This event raised $5,350 - the most money any of these events has ever made!

New Staff!

The Damien Center would like to congratulate Jamie Broderick for her promotion to Care Coordination Program Manager! Jamie will directly oversee the care coordination staff and leads our interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and monitor client services. She will train and supervise new care coordinators in accordance with our agency's training curriculum, and she will participate in evaluative and quality assurance activities to ensure professional accountability to the agency, funders, and clients served.


Jamie originally joined the Damien Center staff in March 2010 as a Care Coordinator. Jamie started her career after college at Denver Health and Authority. She worked on a CDC funded HIV prevention counseling study called Project Respect 2. The study compared different forms of HIV testing and risk reduction counseling in clients at STD clinics throughout the United States. From Denver, Jamie moved to New Jersey and took a position as a Ryan White Title II case manager in Asbury Park, NJ. There she assisted clients with their day to day needs including housing, transportation, medical, etc. Building on her case management experience, she was fortunate enough to accept a position at the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project as a treatment educator in all 5 boroughs of New York City. NATAP is a leader in up-to-the-minute HIV treatment information covering the latest in drug development and research. Before moving back home to Indiana, Jamie was promoted to Director of Programs at the New Jersey Women and AIDS Network in New Brunswick, NJ where she helped to implement the SISTA Project.

After arriving in Indiana, Jamie has been working in tobacco control for the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency. She was the Director of Programs for the Central West region and is also currently the coordinator for the Boone County Tobacco Free Coalition. Jamie started OUT Against Tobacco, a small group of tobacco control advocates that assist the LGBT community to fight back against the tobacco industry.

In her free time, Jamie likes to read, officiate women's basketball, and spend time with her partner and 3 kids.

January Volunteer Spotlight: Sara Bruhn

This month's volunteer spotlight is Sara Bruhn! Sara was trained in October 2010, and she has since worked at health fairs and our food pantry. Sara did an outstanding job representing The Damien Center for Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at Casa Mateo with her Spanish fluency.

Have you ever held a volunteer position before?

I volunteered sporadically in college…I volunteered for a semester in the program College Mentors for Kids for local schoolkids.

What sparked your interest in volunteering with the Damien Center? How do you hope to serve the community and our clients here at the Damien Center?

I’ve been especially interested in the HIV/AIDS cause ever since I took a class in college that dealt with the social aspects and stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS and I found the Damien Center online while looking for some opportunities for volunteer work after college. I hope to serve the community and our clients by helping staff events, spread awareness, and helping to provide a sense of support to those affected by HIV/AIDS.

What experience(s) would you like to gain from you volunteer position here?

I’d like to gain a more in-depth understanding of how HIV/AIDS affects individuals and societies and how we can band together more as a society to prevent further infections and provide support to those currently affected.

What are some attributes that you feel you can contribute to the Damien Center?

I’m perceptive, a hard-worker, and I speak decent Spanish.

What are your hobbies and interest?

Traveling, foreign affairs, soccer, shopping

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - February 7

Xenobia Green, a local band performing their own brand of "Soul, Jazz, and overall good music," will have a performance on Saturday, February 5 from 10:30pm - 1:30am at Chatterbox on Mass Ave in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. There is a $5 admission fee to the Chatterbox. Donations to The Damien Center can be made at the tables.

The Damien Center's Joseph F. Miller Testing Center hours on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will be from 9am-5pm. Testing on Saturday, February 5 will be 10am - 2pm at the 16th and Meridian Walgreens. Call 317-632-0123 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted based on availability.

Dining Out for Life

It's that time of year again! This year's Dining Out for Life will be held on April 28.

Dining Out for Life is an annual fundraiser where restaurants around the city donate 25%, 50%, or 100% of their day's proceeds to The Damien Center.

Part of what makes this event a huge success is our volunteer Ambassadors. If you would like more information on being an Ambassador, please contact Naomi Williams at nwilliams@damien.org or at 317-632-0123 x262.

The first restaurant to partner with us for 2011 is Agio! Agio is a legacy restaurant, having participated in this event for over five years. They are located on Massachusetts Avenue.

If you know of a restaurant who would be a great fit for Dining Out for Life, please download the restaurant form or contact Brenden Hudson at bhudson@damien.org or at 317-632-0123 x237.

Even MORE Testing Hours!

Our Saturday hours have been so successful that we are proud to announce that we are expanding our testing hours - AGAIN! The Joseph F. Miller Testing Center at the Damien Center will be open from 10 am – 3 pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. We are also partnering with Walgreens on 16^th and Meridian to provide testing from 10 am – 2 pm on the first and third Saturday of every month. Testing is free and includes HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Volunteer Training - Saturday, February 5

We have a volunteer training Saturday, February 5, from 9-1. Trainings are mandatory for The Damien Center volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering and you haven't attended the training, please RSVP with Naomi Williams at nwilliams@damien.org or at 317-632-0123 x262.

Food Pantry Update - January

The food pantry's meat stores have been depleted because of the holiday season. Donations of canned meat, especially beef and chicken, are needed. Other sources of protein are also welcome.

Speakers Bureau

The Damien Center is putting together a volunteer Speakers Bureau. Volunteers in the Speakers Bureau go to organizations, churches, and schools to tell them about HIV and AIDS, The Damien Center, and how important the fight against HIV and AIDS truly is. Volunteers in the Speakers Bureau should have good public speaking and communication skills.

For more information on how to get involved in the Speakers Bureau, please contact Naomi Williams at nwilliams@damien.org or at 317-632-0123 x262.

McNamara Cares

McNamara is partnering with the Damien Center through its McNamara Cares program. Whenever you buy flowers from McNamara, mention the code "Damien" for a portion of the proceeds from your sale to go to the Damien Center. This code works online or in any one of the seven McNamara stores. On wire-out orders, customers will also receive $5.00 off whenever they mention the code "Damien"

New Staff at The Damien Center!

We would like to welcome four new staff members this month!

Samantha Akers is our new receptionist. An Indianapolis native, she has been involved with Spotlight, AIDS Walk, and the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis. Samantha is currently studying American Sign Language.

Jamie Putman joins our prevention team as the Prevention Case Manager for Project CORE. She has experience with youth drug and alcohol prevention, LGBTQ issues, HIV/AIDS prevention, breast cancer awareness, and political campaigns. A creative thinker, Jamie loves to craft and bake.

Bashiri Asad is our newest HIV Tester. He is a former Americorps member who has worked with The Red Cross, FEMA, Denver Parks Department, and Habitat for Humanity. Outside of work, Bashiri is the leading vocalist for Xenobia Green.

Ricky Ward joins us as our HIV/AIDS Youth Peer Educator. He has experience working with youth at the Brookside Community Youth Program and Celebrity Cruises. He is currently a student at IUPUI pursuing his degree in social work.

Building a Future Adds Four New Classes in 2011

The Damien Center released its schedule for their Building a Future classes January 3, 2011. This schedule offers four new classes to clients of The Damien Center: Substance Use and Recovery, HIV101/Prevention Education, Peer Support/Special Topics, and Career Development. Classes are open to all clients of The Damien Center.

Since its inception, this series of classes has grown as clients’ needs continue to expand. “We added a nutrition class [last year] because we realized people weren’t eating well,” says Amanda Quillen, Client Services Assistant at The Damien Center. “Eating well is a big part of being and staying healthy.” The Nutrition on a Budget class teaches clients how to purchase and prepare healthy meals with limited resources. Most classes are held quarterly, but some classes, like Peer Support/Special Topics and Career Development, convene monthly.

Building a Future classes are taught by experts in the field. “It’s a good opportunity for people to give back,” says Quillen. In 2011, a nutritionist and a chef will teach the Nutrition on a Budget class.

People in the community are welcome to lend their expertise and teach a class. The classes’ topics are flexible; even if a person’s expertise doesn’t quite fit into one of the current course titles, there is a monthly class with special topics. For example, one special topic class will teach the importance stress management and relief.

Wes Wilson, HIV/STD tester at The Damien Center, will teach the new HIV 101/Prevention Education class. “The big problem is that people don’t understand this disease,” says Wilson. Many people who are newly diagnosed have a lot of questions, and this class is meant to provide a safe environment where these questions can be answered.

“It’s not just for people who are newly diagnosed,” says Wilson. “A lot of people are overwhelmed with information at first, so the questions sometimes come later.”

People who are HIV+ can sometimes feel like they can’t have sex, especially if they’re newly diagnosed – which isn’t true. This class will also stress the importance of safe sex and protection after people become HIV+ and empower them to take control of their sex lives. “Just because you have HIV doesn’t mean you can’t get something else on top of that,” says Wilson. He stresses the importance of testing for STDs every 6 months for people with HIV.

“Our goal is to move people to a place where they don’t need us anymore,” says Quillen. Many clients go to The Damien Center during hard times. The agency helps them during their time of need, but classes like Building a Future also teach skills, like resume writing and budgeting, that help them become self-sufficient.

For a list of classes, descriptions, and times, please visit www.damien.org. If you are interested in teaching a class, please contact Terry Michael at tmichael@damien.org.

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The mission of the Damien Center is to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV and to empower persons in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity.
The Damien Center offers vital supportive services to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so they may live abundant and productive lives. We also provide comprehensive HIV prevention services, including HIV testing, prevention counseling, education, and advocacy.
We believe passionately in the dignity and worth of every person who seeks our services. We strive to be a safe and welcoming place so that no barriers separate people from the services they need to prolong and enhance their lives.
Joseph F. Miller Testing Center Hours
Monday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 
Tuesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm 
Wednesday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm 
Thursday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm 
Friday 9:00 am to 2:00  pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm (11/13, 12/11, and 1/8 only. Closed all other Saturdays.)