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World AIDS Day 2006

WOLRD AIDS DAY
December 1, 2006



14,000 people will be infected with HIV today
7,700 of them will be 24 or younger
7,500 - more than half- will be women or girls

Over 22 million people have died from AIDS.

Over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and 74 percent of these infected people live in sub-Saharan Africa.

By 2030 AID's will become the World's third highest killer, behind heart disease and stroke.

HIV/AIDS is a "disease of young people" with half of the 5 million new infections each year occurring among people ages 15 to 24.

The UN estimates that, currently, there are 14 million AIDS orphans and that by 2010 there will be 25 million.



In the United States:

An estimated one million people are currently living with HIV in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections occurring each year.

70 percent of these new infections occur in men and 30 percent occur in women.

By race, 54 percent of the new infections in the United States occur among African Americans, and 64 percent of the new infections in women occur in African American women.

75 percent of the new infections in women are heterosexually transmitted.

Half of all new infections in the United States occur in people 25 years of age or younger.

Almost 30% of those infected are unaware they have the disease.

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Dude. I hope you can see this alright. Chickens start in the top left corner, alive and happy in their cages. Kind of like the ones in the foreground. Then they go into the SEDATION machine, then through the PICKER, and we see them, minus head and feathers, hanging upside down. Then they go through the EVISCERATOR, straight into the ICE BATH. Then, you see the guy running them into COLD STORAGE. This is how we get our roasted chicken dinner!

Thank you to the Houston Rodeo, the Texas version of the Tunbridge World Fair, for educating me on the process.

Lessons Learned Thus Far About Nonprofit Management

So, it's occurred to me to apply to a non-profit graduate degree program. It would be pretty cool to start my own non-profit, manage the business & volunteers effectively, working towards ends I really believe in. I'm not sure what the focus would be, but certainly something involving education, mental health, children&adolescents, & research.

I'm already learning quite a bit about managing volunteers through working with two organizations who do things very differently.

*Lesson 1: require a specific committment from your volunteers. Volunteers shouldn't be able to get away with having the extent of their volunteer committment being adding your organization to their resumes. Determining a definite time committment is a good idea for both the leadership and the volunteer; as long as the volunteer is honoring the committment, the volunteer can be held accountable, and the leadership can't complain that the volunteer isn't helping enough .

*Lesson 2: Delegation of responsibilities and tasks is crucial to the smooth functioning of projects. Need something from your volunteers? Please be specific; don't plead for "everyone" to be working on your project. It is so easy to be a social loafer when "everyone" is responsible for "everything." As a volunteer I ask myself, "Do I count as 'everyone'?" Then, if I respond to this plea each time, and the pleas for "everyone" keep coming, I wonder whether there is anyone else included in "everyone" or if it's just me doing all the work. I want to know exactly what I am responsible for. As a volunteer, I want to feel good about what I am doing; I don't want to feel guilty for not doing all the other stuff that "everyone" is supposed to be doing.

That's pretty good for today. Stay tuned for thoughts on fundraising and soliciting donations and organizing a "gala." I've never been to a gala, so that part is very new to me!

Charity Stops Short of Aiding Street Kids

(revision to previous ranting post; comments & criticisms, please!)

There are approximately 3,000 homeless youth in the Houston area. They sleep on the streets or use what little money they can scrounge to share a motel room for the night. Some of them are prostitutes and find a bed with their clients. When you think of teenagers who are on the streets, here are some of the ideas that might come to mind: irresponsible, drug-addict, societal burden, poor choices, hopeless, unconcerned with the future. You might consider someone like this an eyesore, or even a threat to your civilized community. You might imagine that you would never have anything in common with a street kid; I mean, you can't really talk to people who are so irresponsible, can you? But of course, your perspective does not tell the whole story. That’s not truth. It’s belief, based on your assumptions and stereotypes.

I have not been affiliated with StandUp for Kids for very long, but during the outreach nights that I have attended most of the youth I have met have been straight, drug-free for at least 5 months. Not all of them, but most of them. They want to make something of their lives, to be responsible, to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, the deck truly is stacked against them. These are certainly some of the most disadvantaged members of our communities, whether because of choices they’ve made or circumstances beyond their control. StandUp for Kids is one of the only groups working to even out the deck for these kids.

StandUp for Kids supports these kids by reaching out to them on the streets and giving them the opportunity to stay safe and improve their lives. As outreach counselors, we hand out food an hygiene products. We listen to the kids. We advertise a phone number they can call anytime, when they need help of any kind. We are reliable. We come out onto the streets every Tuesday and Saturday to build relationships with the kids who are out there. An important step forward for StandUp for Kids was to open a drop-in center, which would be a safe and reliable place for the kids to go to relax, access email, write resumes, build relationships with the StandUp for Kids staff and volunteers, and receive mental health services and referrals. With the resources at the center, kids would be better able to present themselves as serious job applicants.

Many of the kids depend on the support that Stand Up for Kids offers, which does not involve proselytizing or pushing the kids to get off the streets in ways they are not ready for. One girl said, "Stand Up for Kids practically raised me; at least they loved me more than my own mom did." I don't know how true this is, but I understood her to mean that the StandUp for Kids staff really cares for the kids, and the kids know it, and they appreciate it, and they need the support. Most of them don't do anything to jeopardize that; their loyalty shows that they recognize their need for any safety and security they can get.

On October 13^th, the center celebrated its grand opening; word spread quickly among the kids. One week later, StandUp for Kids was evicted from their space. What were the reasons given for eviction? Well, according to the landlord the kids were hanging out on all floors, panhandling in front of the building, and scaring other tenants; the landlord accused StandUp for Kids of being responsible for the presence of these kids on the streets surrounding her office building. Some of this is true, some of it is questionable, some is flat-out false.

The eviction announcement was made three days before Hurricane Rita planned to hit Houston. As a kid living on the streets, it is difficult enough to find a safe place to spend the night in good weather; what do you do when a category 5 hurricane threatens those streets? The volunteers and directors at Stand Upfor Kids felt determined to arrange for the safety of their kids throughout the storm. They devised a plan to house kids in the center during the hurricane. With eviction, that plan was shattered. The eviction notice came with strict prohibition of the kids’ presence in or around the office building; any kids spotted in the office building, storm or not, would be arrested. The center was gone, and the kids were left to fend for themselves through the storm. One kid I spoke with before the storm was quite sure that this hurricane would kill her, now that she had no shelter.

The most disheartening aspect of losing the center was the realization that charity does not reach the neediest members of our society when they truly need it. Since the Hurricanes hit and evacuees flocked into Houston, charity has seemed to flow from the hearts of all Houstonians. How sad is it that Louisiana residents affected by the storms receive more aid than those already suffering within Houston itself? How appalling is it that the most disadvantaged members of our society are further trodden upon when they are in need?

Moving Forward -- StandUp for Kids

Having calmed down a bit since last post, it's time to start moving forward with our projects at StandUp for kids. Our organization has become quite depressed since our drop-in center eviction; something like that seriously disrupts the rhythm and momentum of an organization. For a moment I considered quitting my work with StandUp for Kids and looking for an organization that has things a little more together. I've realized that we can pull things together, I can help, and I want to help. We are getting back on track, and starting to focus again on our mission: To support street kids in their attempt to better their lives.

Some kudos to our kids: One of our kids had the opportunity to live with his brother; he took it, and is working on getting a job, even though this involved the difficult decision of leaving his girlfriend on the street. Another has enrolled in school, and along with school came an apartment - a huge step. It's really important to have good news about our kids every so often.

We have an important fund-raising gala coming up, which will include dinner, music, and a silent auction. The gala will be held on November 17th. We are actively seeking donations for the silent auction. Donors will have the honor of being considered Proud Supporters of Our Community; This can be an important way to advertise your business or services to the 300+ expected attendees. Please email me if you have interest in donating. Some ideas: dinners, massages, manicures, wine & cheese baskets, vacation packages, consulting services; and don't forget, in this technological age a "virtual gift certificate" to your online store is a great idea!

We are also on the lookout for a new space to house our drop-in center. The ideal space will be a free-standing house, or part of a house, in the downtown part of Houston. Many of our kids spend their time in the Montrose/Westheimer area, but we believe any downtown location will be useful. We need a few rooms or space which we can divide into rooms. We would like to spend $600 - $1700 per month. Let me know if you have any connections that might be able to help us out!

Peace .... and GO ASTROS!

Going out of our way to screw those less fortunate

I don't even know where to start. First of all, another one of my naive assumptions about people has been shattered. I guess that's a good thing. I thought that basically, generally, people will do what they can to help others as long as the cause is explained to them well enough. Or at the very least, people will be apathetic, and not actually make an effort to make others' lives difficult. Obviously, there are various perspectives and stereotypes surrounding homeless youth. One might think they're irresponsible, drug-addicts, a burden on society. Okay, that's one perspective, rather superficial. If this is your perspective, it makes sense that you wouldn't want these kids hanging around, being an eyesore. In fact, you would probably be scared of them. You can't really talk to people like that, can you? But of course, that's not the whole story. I have not been affiliated with Stand Up for Kids for very long, but during the outreach nights that I have attended most of the youth I have met have been straight, drug-free for at least 5 months. Not all of them, but most of them. They want to make something of their lives, be responsible, be taken seriously -- but the deck is truly stacked against them. Reasons for their homelessness range from poor decisions to circumstances beyond their control. Those I have met are just beginning to use the center, or think about using the center, to write resumes, have an "address," and look for jobs. Many of them rely on the support that Stand Up for Kids offers, which does not involve proselytizing or pushing the kids to get off the streets in ways they are not ready for. One girl said tonight, "Stand Up for Kids practically raised me; at least they loved me more than my own mom did." I don't know how true she meant this, but the sentiment is that Stand Up for Kids staff really cares for the kids, and they know it, and they appreciate it, and they need the support. Most of them don't do anything to jeopardize that; they know they need any safety & security that they can get. This center has been officially open for a week; word has spread. Today, however, the woman from whom SUFK rents the space informed the directors that they are evicted. The reasons? Well, the kids are hanging out on all floors, panhandling in front of the building, scaring other tenants, basically providing an eyesore, and the directors painted the doors in the space purple. Some of this is true, some of it is questionable, some is flat-out false. Any guesses as to what sort of perspective this woman holds on homeless youth? Furthermore, this announcement comes three days before a serious hurricane hits Houston. Stand Up for Kids had a plan to house street kids during the hurricane to keep them safe. Now that plan is shattered, and where are these kids going to go? The woman would hear no compromise: out by the end of the week and if any street kids are spotted in or around the building they will be arrested. How would it hurt her to extend the deadline by a few days, and make some concessions for the fact that the hurricane is coming? Charity has flowed through Houston for the past two weeks around Katrina fallout. Not for the disadvantaged in Houston; and Houston street kids certainly represent the bottom of the barrel in terms of disadvantaged. Perhaps another bit of evidence that those in poverty are not on anyone's priority list, like those who couldn't get out of Houston. One girl I spoke with tonight is quite sure that this hurricane will kill her, now that she has no shelter.

Stand Up for Kids (Hi, Sean)

I've ended life as a teacher in Vermont. I didn't burn any bridges; I am still fully licensed to teach in Vermont, and will be for the next 7 years, but I don't expect to go back to that. I'm now living in Houston, and working as a waitress. This feels like a different life -- the nature of this place and this job are starkly different from everything previous. I like the work because I can leave at the end of my shift and not worry about a thing until I walk back through the restaurant doors at the beginning of my next shift. I don't have homework for this job. I don't have moral dilemmas attached to this work. The worst damage I can do is not to bring the correct food to the correct guests promptly.

I lasted three weeks as a full-time waitress. By now, I'm bored and craving something more meaningful. I read books about adolescents and about teaching. I realize that teaching filled me emotionally, spiritually, and occupied me physically and intellectually. The frustration was intense, but so was the challenge and the joy. I started to regret not returning to Randolph this year. I am quite sure that I could easily find a teaching position here, but I can't lose sight of the purpose of this year off from teaching: I am searching for something a little more fulfilling, a little less frustrating.

I found an organization called Stand Up for Kids, a national organization with a relatively new Houston branch. The group supports and advocates for the ~3000 homeless youth in Houston. On Tuesday, 13 September, they open a drop-in center downtown, which basically serves as a safe place for kids to go. I have yet to learn about the specific services the Houston center will provide. I am looking forward to becoming involved with this program -- initially, just to get a better sense of what they do and how they work, but later to think more about what I can bring to the organization and what I can learn from participating that might translate into a new professional path. All in all, I'm very excited about where this might lead.