Looking Back at 2005
Our
building is close to 100 years old and is in need of rehabilitation.
We were able to make some much needed improvements to our support
center including new flooring and paint in the meeting room as well
as new carpeting in the children’s playroom. The playroom
was brightened by murals painted by foster teens from Fostering
Community Connections.
Due to nation-wide funding cuts for HIV/AIDS services, the County
of San Diego discontinued financial support for hygiene products
and diapers in March 2005. The generosity of compassionate community
members has allowed the continuation of the hygiene product program.
Thank you! Helping to meet our clients’ basic needs is critical
because only when those needs are met can clients focus on their
medical care and treatment.
In spring of 2005, Christie's Place conducted a series of empowerment
trainings for women called Project SPEAK (Sisters Promoting Empowerment,
Activism & Kinship) Up!. As a result, there has been an increase
in women’s involvement in our local planning bodies, increase
in women speaking at community events and health fairs, and increased
exposure of HIV+ women’s needs in our local print and television
media.
Through
our Complementary Therapies program, licensed practitioners volunteer
their services and provide clients with acupuncture, chiropractic,
energy healing, quantum touch, reiki and yoga. These therapies serve
to lessen the side effects of HIV medications and help with pain
management.
Important Facts
This
year Christie's Place:
- Received
over 7,600 visits
- Provided
over 1,000 counseling sessions facilitated by a licensed professional
- Provided
clients with over 2,800 referrals to community resources
- Provided
2,575 hours of childcare
- Facilitated
over 165 support groups
- Distributed
over 2,520 packets of hygiene products and diapers to clients and
their family members
It is very rewarding to witness and be a part of the transformations
that take place everyday at Christie's Place. While we have made
many strides, there is still more work to be done.
- The number of people killed in the tsunami is the same as the
number of people in the world who die of AIDS every 24 days.
- We talk to women everyday who tell us they live in fear of disclosing
their HIV status to their friends, family, coworkers, neighbors,
and even their own children.
- While the rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission have greatly
reduced, we have approximately 40 HIV+ children in our caseload.
That is 40 children too many.
- HIV/AIDS is now the third leading cause of death among women ages
25 to 44, and the leading cause of death among African-American
women in this age group.
Testimonials
Here
are some testimonials from our clients, who are perhaps the best
advocates in expressing why Christie’s Place is so greatly
needed in the community:
“Thanks to Christie's Place I am alive today. I get valuable
information that I will pass on to others. Christie's Place helped
me to see that I can be a leader in the community to fight for something
I am very passionate about. I recommend everyone I come in contact
with to go to Christie's Place.”
“I made good friends here, I don’t feel so alone anymore.”
- Age 12
“When I found out about Christie's Place, I had 16 T-cells.
Today, it has been 6 years since I was diagnosed and I live a regular,
normal life with my wife and newborn daughter. I am very grateful
to everyone at Christie's Place. Everyone was there when my family
and I needed it. That's why I say thank you and I hope to be able
to do the same for others with HIV.”
“I wouldn’t be sober, taking medication, or out of isolation
if it were not for Christie’s Place.”
“When I needed food they were there! When I needed housing
referrals they were there! When I needed hygiene supplies they were
there! When I needed childcare they were there! When I needed a
hug and had no where else to go they were there!”
Looking Forward - A Decade of Transforming Lives
Christie
Milton Torres dreamed that one day there would be a haven for women
and families living with HIV/AIDS. This spring will mark 10 years
that Irene and Doug Milton made Christie’s dream a reality
by founding Christie's Place. We hope you can join us in celebrating
this milestone at our Anniversary Gala on November 3, 2006 at the
Bahia Resort Hotel.
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