As you plan what you will do with your rebate, I ask you to consider donating a portion of your rebate to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York to help us meet the needs of our clients.

Your generous gift today will provide our clients with many things we take for granted such as transportation to medical appointments or basic household supplies. Your gift of $65, $100, $150 or more will make an immediate impact on the life of someone in our community, and I hope you will make as generous a contribution you can afford to make at this time to help us be there for our clients… for as long as HIV is here.

Make a gift to the AIDS Council today by donating online. You may also mail a check (made payable to the “AIDS Council”) to 927 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207.

For more information or alternative payment options, please call our Development Office at 518.434.4686 Ext. 2428.

Most sincerely,

Michele McClave
Executive Director

The AIDS Council is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1984. Your gift to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by current state and federal law.

During the open house, the AIDS Council will highlight its Hudson initiatives, community services and future plans. The Hudson office has been recently renovated to provide a private space for confidential HIV testing and counseling sessions. The Council also will start a Hudson area HIV support group. For over 24 years the AIDS Council has been providing free prevention programs, testing and client services throughout Northeast New York. The Council has had a dedicated Hudson location for over 16 years.

Frank and Maria Eigenbrodt have been long-time supporters of the AIDS Council and have made extraordinary efforts in raising money and awareness for HIV/ AIDS in their hometown of Hudson. Frank and Maria lost a son, Richie, to this devastating disease and now lend their care and support to others who have lost family members to HIV/AIDS. They coordinate luncheon programs and dinners for clients served through the AIDS Council and each year coordinates a candlelight vigil in recognition of World AIDS Day in December. Further, Frank and Maria organize a team of family, friends and community members for the annual AIDSWalk. Last year their team, “Richie’s Angels”, raised over $8,000. Because of these remarkable efforts, Maria was honored earlier this year as the Father John Lysogorski Non-Profit Volunteer of the Year by the Community AIDS Partnership of the Capital Region. She graciously donated the $1,000 prize to the AIDS Council to further its projects in and around the Hudson community.

RSVP to 518.434.4686 ext 2101
Questions or Directions Call 518.828.3624

Kate is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist from Bay Village, Ohio who recently became popular playing Mia Catalano on the hit CW television show One Tree Hill. Kate has been writing music since she was 15 years old and has recorded several albums with well known producers. In 2007, she signed with a division of Interscope Records and released her hit album “Don’t Look Away”. The 21 year-old upcoming star has performed on the Early Show and her music has been featured on popular shows including MTV’s The Hills. Several singles have already hit the Billboard Charts.

Remember to Dine Out on April 24 at one of 33 Capital Region locations.
http://www.diningoutforlife.com/Albany

Dining Out for Life has received increasing support each year since its local inception. Last year raised $30,000. Restaurants in Albany, Clifton Park, Delmar, Glens Falls, Guilderland, Hudson, Latham, Plattsburgh, Saratoga, Schenectady and Troy are participating in the event. Barefoot Wine is graciously donating 100% of their wine sales at the restaurants to the AIDS Council. Diners will also have the chance to win several prizes by dining out such as a trip to Atlantic City, Lake Placid getaway or a $500.00 floral gift certificate. Dining Out for Life is an international event held in more than 40 cities that raises HIV/AIDS awareness.

Sponsors of the event include HSBC Bank USA and Total Town Health. Media Sponsors: Metroland, Fly92, WTEN and Plattsburgh Press-Republican. Additional support from Barefoot Wine, Out&About Phonebook, Yankee Trails World Travel, Mirror Lake Inn and Brendan Flanigan Design.

For a complete restaurant listing please call 518.434.4686 or visit www.diningoutforlife.com.

ALBANY
Bayou Cafe Downtown
Beff’s
BFS Restaurant & Catering
Cheesecake Machismo
DeJohn’s Restaurant & Pub
El Loco Mexican Cafe
Grandma’s Restaurant
Justin’s
Magnolias on the Park
Nicole’s Restaurant
Provence
Scratch Bakery Cafe

CLIFTON PARK
Nothing But Noodles

DELMAR
Beff’s

GLENSFALLS
GG Mama’s Restaurant & Catering

HUDSON
Ca’Mea Ristorante
Mexican Radio
Red Dot Restaurant & Bar
Vico Restaurant

LATHAM
Milano

PLATTSBURGH
Livingood’s Restaurant
Subway-334 Cornelia St.

SARATOGA SPRINGS
Beverly’s
Brindisi’s Restaurant & Bar
Hattie’s Restaurant
Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant & Conference Center
Mexican Connection
Olde Bryan Inn
Tiznow Restaurant

SCHENECTADY
Ambition Coffee & Eatery
Katz Kafe

TROY
Flavour Cafe
Tosca

In this issue:
-Find out how the Council is overcoming obstacles in the North Country
-Holiday Sponsor Program and Toiletry Drive
-Help Fight AIDS Through Books & Music
-2008 Book Sale Schedule
-Beaujolais Nouveau event recap and pictures
-2008 Special Event Schedule
-Client Dinner and Holiday Party
-World AIDS Day 2007
-National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2008

Download PDF

A study conducted by Dr. Kristen Mahle found that among MSM who showed no symptoms of gonorrhea, many incidences of the disease were missed because some physicians did not test all sites of recent exposure. Further, the CDC recently announced that U.S. syphilis rates in 2007 increased for the seventh consecutive year; MSM accounted for 64% of the new cases and men overall accounted for six times as many cases as women. According to the CDC, communities of color were also highly affected with rates seven times higher for men of color and fourteen times higher for women of color. These sexually transmitted diseases rates could even be higher if more people were tested annually. The Times sites major issues of inadequate budgets and trained staff at sexual disease clinics as reasons why more comprehensive testing has not been done.

In the Capital Region, the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York provides free, confidential HIV and STD (Chlamydia, syphilis & gonorrhea) testing and counseling at a variety of community locations. Check the council’s website, www.aidscouncil.org, or call 518.HIV.TEST for additional testing sites and times.

(Altman, New York Times, 3/13)

2006-2007 Annual Report (PDF)

Dining Out For Life® - Thursday, April 24th
The AIDS Council and Subaru of America are proud to host the fifth annual Dining Out For Life® in the Capital Region on Thursday, April 24th. Participating restaurants from Plattsburgh to Hudson and throughout the region will be donating at least 25% of their food and beverage sales to the AIDS Council. All you have to donate is your appetite! Please visit us at www.diningoutforlife.com for updates.

Benefit in Saratoga - Sunday, July 27th, Hall of Springs
Be sure to join us at one of the premiere summer galas to kick off the Saratoga racing season. This year guests will enjoy a festive Luau with gourmet cuisine, cocktails and live entertainment!

AIDS Walk 2008 - Sunday, September 28th, Washington Park
Join over 2,000 Capital Region residents to help raise awareness and funds for local HIV/AIDS services. Consider getting a team together to show your support.

Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Celebration - Thursday, November 20th
Recognized as one of the most popular events in the Capital Region, join us for a fun night of food, dancing, music and wine. It is a great way to kick-off the Holiday season. Bring your friends and help make Beaujolais 2008 the best yet!

For additional information about the events, to volunteer or for sponsorship opportunities, please call or email Janet Andrade, Special Events Coordinator, at 518.434.4686 ext 2424 ; jandrade@aidscouncil.org

We look forward to your continued support in 2008!

Over the last decade, African Americans and communities of color have come to bear the greatest burden of the AIDS epidemic in the US. While African Americans represent approximately 13% of the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that they account for over half of all new cases of HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women ages 25 to 34 and second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35 to 44. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, HIV/AIDS is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for all African Americans. In the US, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV every day.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York joins as a part of a national mobilization effort to raise awareness about the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, encourage HIV testing and commit to fight the disease. More than 800 cities across the country will sponsor programs on February 7th. In the Capital Region, the AIDS Council will be hosting free and confidential HIV and STD testing at several community locations including 927 Broadway from 9:30AM-4:00PM, 245 Lark from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Waterworks Pub from 11:00PM-3:00AM. No appointment is needed for testing. The Council encourages citizens to get educated, get tested, get treated and get involved with HIV/AIDS as it continues to impact the Capital Region and New York State. HIV is 100% preventable and many do not know the test only takes about 20 minutes to get a result and involves no needles or blood. For additional testing dates, times and locations, call 518-HIV TEST.

The AIDS Council is committed to helping communities of color with its Given the Chance (GTC) initiative. This program launched last year is designed to address HIV, hepatitis and substance abuse prevention needs in the Capital Region among communities of color. GTC tackles one of the hardest hit populations by offering a multi-pronged approach including transitional case management, HIV counseling, enhanced peer outreach, free testing and risk reduction education. The Council also works on changing the behaviors of urban adolescents to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other STDs. In the Capital Region, over 50% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases are in people of color. As the AIDS Council increases access to testing in communities with limited access to health care, this number could be even higher.