We here at CARES were all saddened to learn that one of our founding members, and active board member, Jim Knox, passed away yesterday. We do not yet have the details for a memorial service, but we will post it when we do. Jim was involved with CARES since the beginning, and we just celebrated our 25th anniversary. Jim’s tireless dedication to CARES, The KGLRC, and the Barn Theater, will be a great loss. His work will be leaving an enormous community legacy that we are all thankful for. His optimism, support and pure joy for life will be missed.

Monday, June 27th is the 16th observance of  National HIV Testing Day.  CARES would like to encourage individuals to learn their HIV status by visiting the following test sites for free, confidential 20-minute HIV testing on the following dates during the month of June:

In Kalamazoo and Battle Creek:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at CARES, 629 Pioneer St., Kalamazoo
• 1st Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Edison Neighborhood Association, 816 Washington Ave., Kalamazoo
• 2nd Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Vine Neighborhood Association, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
• 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at S.H.A.R.E. Center, 120 Grove St., Battle  Creek
• 4th Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Ministry with Community, 440 N. Church St., Kalamazoo

Participating partners in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek include the Edison Neighborhood Association, the Vine Neighborhood Association, the S.H.A.R.E. Center and Ministry with Community.

In Benton Harbor:

• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for walk-ins, or by appointment from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at CARES, 185 E. Main St., Suite 604, Benton Harbor
• National Testing Day – Monday, June 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Benton Harbor Street Ministry, 200 E. Empire Avenue in Benton Harbor

Participating partners in Benton Harbor’s National HIV Testing Day event include the Berrien County Health Department, Lakeland Health Specialties, United Way of Southwest Michigan, Bethel Christian Restoration Center, Benton Harbor Street Ministry, The OutCenter, Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency and community volunteers.  This event will also offer colon cancer screening kits, as well as cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

For more information, please call CARES at 269-381-2437 (Kalamazoo) or 269-927-2437 (Benton Harbor.)

This article is re-posted from May 23, 2011, courtesy of POZ, with additional comment by Matthew Bradley of CARES

The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), a worldwide advocacy network for men who have sex with men (MSM), is encouraged by new HIV prevention guidelines from The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for use in countries receiving assistance from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to an MSMGF statement. However, MSMGF asserts the guidelines lack specific recommendations.

The guidelines define six core elements for any effective HIV prevention program aimed at MSM. These include: community-based outreach; distribution of condoms and condom-compatible lubricants; HIV counseling and testing; active linkage to health care and antiretroviral treatment; targeted information, education and communication; and prevention, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Matthew Bradley, Prevention Specialist from CARES’ Benton Harbor office, shares his opinion:  “I think that PEPfar is a great program that will help save many lives in countries that have the need for assistance the most.  I think the first step in these programs should be education.  Educating the populations on HIV transmissions and working to reduce homophobic behavior, which causes more stigma, and causes HIV rates to sky rocket because people are scared to seek HIV education.  More training should be given to healthcare providers in order for them to know how to get around the trust barriers and to also build a trust bond in their respective communities.”

To read the entire MSMGF statement, go to http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-forum-on-msm–hiv-encouraged-by-new-pepfar-guidance-on-hiv-prevention-for-men-who-have-sex-with-men-122262008.html