Arilea S. Fenty, TCPalm, Tuesday, April 8, 2008
FORT PIERCE — St. Lucie County has the
highest AIDS/HIV rate in Florida among blacks, but one local nonprofit
organization is trying to change that.
Project Response, which has an office in Fort Pierce, has a mobile
HIV testing center that goes into communities offering free HIV tests.
The workers targets schools, jails and substance abuse centers.
The van will be at Florida Atlantic University's Treasure Coast Campus in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday.
HIV counselor Takescha Calhoun-Stewart said Project Response goes into communities that have individuals at higher risk.
"The test is done with a prick to the finger, taking a sample of
blood," Calhoun-Stewart said. "The test that we use is called the
Oraquick Rapid HIV test, and it takes 20 minutes to find out the
results."
People are more afraid to walk into a clinic to get tested, that is
why the mobile testing is in place to provide that confidential
service, Gomez said.
Project Response also provide resources such as housing, medical disability information and food, Calhoun-Stewart said.
Florida has the second highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the
country, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention. And
according to a 2005 Florida Department of Health Report, 1 in 35 black
residents in St. Lucie County has AIDS.
According to St. Lucie County's 2007 Surveillance Report the
number of HIV/AIDS cases per 100,000 people is 29.3 percent in St.
Lucie County, compared to West Palm Beach, which has 25.7 percent.
Jackie Gomez, office manager for Project Response, said the nonprofit started in 1990 and operates across the Treasure Coast.
Project Response's main office is in Melbourne, and it has outposts
in Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties,
Gomez said.
The program is funded by grants from government programs such as the
Ryan White Care Act, Florida Medicaid and HousingOpportunities for
Persons with AIDS. Other organizations and donors also contribute,
Gomez said.
To qualify for Project Response, a person must test positive for
HIV/AIDS, provide identification and meet with a case worker weekly,
Gomez said. Clients must also meet income requirements.
Another aspect of the nonprofit provides
translators to Creole and Spanish-speaking clients to help them at
doctor's appointments and with immigration services and jobs, Gomez
said.
"Our mission is to enhance the lives of people living with
HIV/AIDS," Gomez said. "We strive to open all avenues for their health
and well being."
Arilea S. Fenty is a Florida Atlantic University student working as
a correspondent for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers as part of a
senior-level journalism course.
What: Project Response Inc. offers free confidential HIV testing
Contact: HIV counselor Takescha Calhoun-Stewart, (772) 464-0420
Location: Florida Atlantic University's Treasure Coast Campus, 500 N.W. California Blvd., Port St. Lucie
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday
