Hey everyone!

Just wanted to update you all on how this week has played out   As we all know this week was National AIDS Testing Day-Week…YAY! So in honer of this fabulous week, I attended three events with Pat and Dave W; one at the Share Center in Battle Creek on Tuesday, and two at Ministry with Community, in Kalamazoo, on Wednesday and Thursday. Our goal was to test as many people for HIV as our resources allowed for us. Just counting the events that I attended, we tested just under 100 people!!! For those of you that couldn’t make out it to one of the events don’t forget that CARES conducts FREE walk-in HIV testing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-5pm.

On Tuesday Pat, Dave W and I attended The Share Center in Battle Creek to represent CARES and conduct testing. It was an easy-going crowd and the event came and went smoothly. I had a lot of interesting discussions with people about HIV and AIDS and the testing process. A lot of people were worried about needles during the test and I feel that may have inhibited their desire for it. I cleared that up for them immediately- No needles, Just a mouth swab!

On Wednesday and Thursday Dave W, Jeff, Pat and Nathan tested people while Amber, Phil G and I worked together to make sure the line ran smoothly and efficiently.  The Ministry staff were great hosts and I know CARES appreciates the partnership between them. We tested majority of the people this week at the Ministry and I saw a lot of familiar faces from the day before. I’m glad so many people showed up to get tested. Thank you all for being so patient, as the testing was in pretty high demand during this week.

I love working with the community like this! It’s such a straightforward approach and it constantly re-inspires me and reminds myself of the mission and why it’s so important.  It’s such a privilege to volunteer with someplace like CARES, let alone the opportunity to have an internship! I’m excited to see what else comes from of this experience.

-Gina