I'm doing the AIDS Walk again this year to raise money for the Agape Center in Woonsocket, a drop-in program for low-income resident living with HIV/AIDS.A little history:
An amazing woman named Charlene Maguire, a former elementary school science teacher, founded the Agape Center 10 years ago. Since then the program has merged with Family Resources Community Action (full disc: I'm related to an FRCA employee). In 2005, Maguire spent two weeks in China as a delegate of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, meeting with Chinese health officials about prevention and community programs.
Last year I briefly volunteered at the Agape Center and had the priviledge of getting to know Charlene and seeing how important this program is to the clients. The dedicated employees provide numerous, invaluable services such as (from the website):
- Case management services in English & Spanish
- Weekly food pantry
- Monthly personal care & cleaning products
- Clothing
- An HIV library and computer center
- Meals served Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Presentations by physicians, nurses and other HIV specialists
- Monthly Fieldtrips
- Spanish meals bi-monthly
- Linkages to Family services, financial assistance, and emergency shelter
- Nutritional counseling & Cooking Classes
- Special interest classes
- Linkage to substance abuse & mental health services
- On-site dental examinations by Thundermist Health Center
- Socialization activities (i.e. seasonal celebrations and other events)
- upport groups in English & Spanish
- Transportation
But, overall, this has become a haven for people with HIV/AIDS. Agape is where they feel safe, welcome, cared for, and supported, instead of discriminated against, worried, alone, without a clue of how to handle life with the disease. For them, the Agape Center may be the only place where they are completely accepted. The world needs more places like that.
The walk itself is so much fun, too. The enthusiastic crowd at Roger Williams Park is rewarded for their efforts with breakfast from Dunkin Donuts, t-shirts or camping chairs (depending on how much money their raised), 93.3 Coast FM is there to give away prizes (last year I won a $50 giftcard to a salon), local celebs - the Cardi's guys, news anchors, Mayor Cicilline, drag queens, and a life-sized Snoopy walking around for the kids (but, if you're nice, he'll give you a hug too).
If you would like to join the walk to benefit Agape, make sure you specify team #131 when you register. Or, if you'd just like to make a donation, please send checks to:
The Agape Center
245 Main Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
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