Local Services Highlighted On World AIDS Day

Members of All Souls Unitarian gathered to do their part on World AIDS day, Saturday, December 1. People packed the pews to listen as guest speakers talked about living with AIDS. The message was how

Saturday, December 1st 2007, 9:39 pm

By: News On 6

Members of All Souls Unitarian gathered to do their part on World AIDS day, Saturday, December 1. People packed the pews to listen as guest speakers talked about living with AIDS. The message was how important it is to understand what effect the epidemic is having on the world â€“ and to step up to the plate and take the lead in the fight to stop AIDS.

Tulsa has many resources for HIV and AIDS prevention and care. They include service agencies, free and confidential testing locations and educational programs. Several clinics are ready to serve Oklahomans who have tested positive for HIV infection and are not yet receiving medical care.

Testing, Counseling and Education

Free HIV testing, counseling and education services can be found at The H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic. Services are free, confidential and anonymous. H.O.P.E.â€™s state certified counselors and testers are available for educational presentations and street outreach. Free Hepatitis C Testing is also available at H.O.P.E., 3540 East 31st St., Suite 6. For more information, call Kate Neary-Pounds at 749-8378.

Youth Services of Tulsa provides HIV education, counseling and testing for at risk youth in the Tulsa area. Testing is free and confidential. For more information, contact Julie Trainum, 582-0061.

Morton Health Servicesâ€™ HIV prevention program focuses on African Americans and Hispanics, but all Tulsa residents are welcome to contact Morton for HIV prevention education, counseling and testing.
For more information, call Derrick Davis, 587-2171.

Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma provides free and confidential HIV prevention education, counseling and testing at their clinic office, 1007 S. Peoria. A quick test is available for individuals who need same day results. Call 858-8440 to schedule an appointment.

The University of Tulsaâ€™s Alexander Student Health Services offers HIV/STD education, counseling and testing. Free and confidential 20 minute tests are available. Call Mary Smith, 631-2241, to make an appointment.

The American Red Cross provides HIV/AIDS educators for schools and community groups. For more than 20 years, the Red Cross has helped educate school students and young adults about HIV transmission and how to stay safe from the virus. For more information or to schedule a program, call Heather Nash, 831-1633.

The HIV Prevention Program for Incarcerated Men and Women is a nationally recognized program for educating inmates and their family members about HIV prevention. Incarcerated men and women have an opportunity to earn a college credit from a community college and become a peer educator in HIV prevention while they are in prison. For more information, call Melanie Spector at 581-2444.

HIV Care Services

Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. provides many HIV care services for low income individuals and their families. Services include case management, housing assistance, transportation, referrals for medical care, mental health counseling, and a food pantry. For more information, call 834-4194.

The OSU Internal Medicine Specialty Clinic provides medical care for people living with HIV/AIDS including medical care, lab tests, transportation and prescription drug assistance. Call 561-8534 for more information.

The University of Oklahoma Internal Medicine Clinic offers medical care, lab tests and prescription drug treatment for HIV infection/AIDS. The Clinic is ready to serve the many Oklahoma residents who are HIV positive and not yet in care. For more information, call 838-4787.

Our House Too offers a gathering place for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers prepare holiday meals and organize social gatherings. Our House also offers a toiletry pantry to low income individuals to help them meet basic needs for daily living. For more information, contact Milton Harris, 282-8360.

Prevention/Awareness

The Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership (TCAP) raises funds and makes grants for HIV prevention and care in Tulsa. For more information, contact Janice Nicklas at 699-4226.

AIDS Walk Tulsa is held each year on the first Saturday of October to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Walk will be held at 9 a.m. October 4, 2008, at Veterans Park, 21st and Boulder.
For more information about the walk, go to www.aidswalktulsa.org or call 699-4226.

The AIDS Coalition of Tulsa was founded in 1988 to assist the Tulsa community in developing a coordinated response to AIDS. The Coalition has an open membership and invites interested community members to attend its meetings and participate in HIV prevention and care activities. . For more information, contact Janice Nicklas at 699-4226.