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The Western North
Carolina AIDS Project
depends on volunteers to help address the
needs of over 300 HIV-positive clients in 11
western counties.
Our volunteers make
a real and sustainable difference through
direct client support, educating the public
on HIV prevention,
or assisting with our
yearly fundraising projects. |
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Volunteer Spotlight |
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Volunteer
Application:
Click
Here
"Why I Volunteer"
Read accounts
from WNCAP volunteers.
Send us yours. |
Rosie Coates,
AIDS activist and beloved procurer of adult beverages, began her
activism in 1985 when she returned to Asheville after serving in the
Army. A close friend revealed he had AIDS and was having trouble paying
the bills. Rosie, along with friends Pete Moyle, Steve McKain, and Bob
Rodney, organized a benefit to raise money for their friend. Since then
Rosie has been involved with over 50 fund-raising efforts in the
Asheville area to benefit the AIDS community and WNCAP.
Rosie believes the role of gay-friendly businesses in Asheville is to
educate young people, and more importantly, provide more testing
opportunities. She believes today’s young people are at great risk,
“kids don’t believe AIDS exists anymore.” Rosie firmly believes we need
to do much more to educate people and keep the conversation about AIDS
going.
Being that Rosie is a fixture in Asheville’s gay community, tending bar
at several gay bars in town, I asked her why she thinks so many men are
still becoming infected. Rosie said one problem she hears often is many
people believe there are different strains of HIV/AIDS and theirs is
dormant, leading to unprotected sex. Probably the most common issue is
clouded judgment. Excessive drinking and drugs leads to poor choices
re-guarding unprotected sex and multiple sex partners. What she sees
among the younger generation today is a “live fast and leave a
good-looking corpse” attitude coupled with the “I don’t care” attitude
that leads to unprotected sex as well as high numbers of partners.
Again, Rosie believes the only way to address the problem is to educate
more.
WNCAP would like to thank Rosie Coates for her continued support in the
community.
-
Christine Fogleman |
 HIV
Education/Outreach - Ongoing - Collaborate with our
Education and Outreach Department in presenting HIV education
programs to a variety of community groups. Man HIV/AIDS
information booths at local events. Assist in community
outreach and distribute information about reducing the risk of
HIV transmission and infection in community centers, bars, drug
traffic areas and public sex environments. Email
Michele Martin
if you have an interest in volunteering in this area.
Marketing
Committee – Lend your talents in areas like writing,
editing, graphic design, and marketing to the WNCAP Marketing
Committee. This group works to find creative ways to help spread
HIV prevention messages and keep the community informed of what
WNCAP is doing to accomplish its mission. The group typically
meets once a month or so, with work in between on your own pace
and schedule. Contact Laura Kirby by phone (828-350-0833) or by
email to
get involved.
WNCAP
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