January 24th: Home Ownership Workshop for People Living with HIV
Are you HIV positive and residing in the District of Columbia? Do you know that you may be eligible for up to $77,000 in downpayment and closing cost assistance if you are a a first-time homebuyer in DC? Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of homeownership? Do you want to learn more about the homebuying process?If you answered yes to these questions, then you may be eligible to participate in the home prep program and learn how you can become a homeowner.
Housing Counseling Services, Inc. Home Puchase Readiness Empowerment Program (PREP) is sponsoring a workshop on Saturday January 24th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Housing Counseling Services Training Center located at 2410 17th Street NW Suite 100.
Please call Jill Carmichael or Minerva Lazo from Housing Counseling Services, Inc at (202) 667-2681 for more information and to register. All classes are free but seating is limited.
Labels: Housing, Housing Counseling Services
1 Comments:
Greetings,
In welcoming 2008, there is much work to be done.
Presently, we are now over 40 million individuals infected with HIV/AIDS, young 13-25 populations as well as 55+and older. This disease is very much with us today and will be for a while to come.
My name is Venus Perez. I am 41 years old and I am diagnosis with AIDS since 1987. I was exposed by an ex-partner who died in 1987. Many people I knew with the disease are no longer alive. 2 other people, and myself are long term survivors of this disease. Just like a person who is going through the stages of death and dying, many HIV/AIDS individuals get stuck in these stages. HIV/AIDS has changed America. For 25 year it has brought out the worst in us at first, but ultimately brought out the best, and transformed the nation. Its mark has affected our history, culture and our souls.
I try to be very active in the community assisting other nonprofit organizations as a Certified HIV Pre & Post Tester and a HIV Support Group Facilitator.
My letter is to strive to give useful information to the public audience. I have used the information in this book in a recent summer series 2006 in which, empowered many individuals and families infected and affected with this disease. Normally I would not expose my disease to the world because of the stigma that comes with it, But in 2008, I am asking community members to step up and help us to make a difference with this pandemic. I am only one person, and boy can I use the help.
Unfortunately, it will a long time until a vaccine is found. My concern is, with all the HIV/AIDS information on the internet unfortunately, many people do not have access to a computer or the information available. People will perish for lack of knowledge.
In the last four years, I tried very hard to provide information through support groups and testing sites. In dreaming big dreams and in reaching global capacity, I have been blessed in producing an educational book in the fight for HIV/AIDS (see info below). For reviews and sited articles about this book, visit my web site at www.venusperez.com
For we know books can reach many and this is why I used my testimony and experience to write this easy to understand educational book. So today I ask and challenge each individual to educate one person using this book about HIV/AIDS as well as STD's in the year 2008.
** REDUCED BOOK PRICES FOR 2008**.
I'm Still Here-Book-Hardcover- $24.95 Free shipping
I'm Still Here-By V. Perez-ISBN#1425100597, 1412201888
The History, Testimony, Education, Outcomes
and Strengths of people living with HIV/AIDS
Chapter topics consist of:
*Snapshots of Modern HIV/AIDS
*HIV/AIDS Nutrition
*Testimony/Myself
*What You Don't Know Can Hurt You! (STD's)
*Achieving Your Goals
*Learn and Teach Others
*Points of Reference & Disclaimer
*About The Author
I'm Still Here-Book-Paperback $16.95 Free shipping
The History, Testimony, Education, Outcomes, and Strengths of people living with HIV/AIDS- $16.95 Free shipping
I'm Still Here-Music CD- $17.95 Free shipping
I'm Still Here- Music CD- By Venus Perez$ 17.95 Free shipping Songs consist of: 1-I'll Stand by you 2-Both Sides Now 3- Arms of an Angel 4- Wind beneath my Wings 5- I'm Still Here 6- The Wonder Of It All 7- I've Been Searching so Long 8- Who want
Miracles Still happen-Book-paperpack $14.95 Free Shipping
Miracles Still happen -Book- Paperpack $14.95 Free Shipping
Comfort Foods Cookbook $24.95 Free shipping
Heaven In Your Heart-Music CD-$17.95 Free Shipping
Heaven In Your Heart-Music CD-$17.95 Free Shipping Songs consist of: *Heaven In Your Heart *The Way We Were *Show Must Go On *Rainy Days & Monday's *Dream Weaver *You'll Never Walk Alone
Orders can be placed on
our (SSL) secure web-sites:
Please view information below or visit my website at:
http://app.fastshoppingcart.com/preview/start.sc?previewStorefrontTicket=1A0BCB4F-9A95-DEF4-BF62-6FE1F9E212FE
or
www.shop.venusperez.com
Trafford Publishing (enter author & book name)
www.trafford.com
or
Venus' Online Shop at:
www.shop.venusperez.com
email us at
horizonbyv@aol.com
Websites:
www.venusperez.com
Also available in bookstores worldwide.
Copyright © 2007 Venus Perez. All rights reserved.
Give the gift of love today!!!!
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Read more!
About the Book About the Author Excerpts
About the Book
The year is 2006. We have come so far yet we are not quite there. Many lives were lost yet many still live. Many know the means of transmission, yet many neglect to follow it. Many of us live the fast life, looking for excitement, for success. We are constantly searching for that missing part that dwells deep inside, each one of us. For many of us, we are lost, broken, unloved, discriminated, depressed and angry. We are still in denial, shunned by society as lepers were years ago.
We are individuals with HIV/AIDS. We are part of the world, and each one of us is loved by GOD, our creator, no matter who we are, or what disease we may have. We are part of this world, and this society. Our lives have meaning, and each one of us can make a difference. I would like to take you on a journey, where you can experience the history, the struggles, trials and outcomes. Our testimonies, weaknesses, strengths, and our never ending hope for tomorrow.
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About the Author
V. Perez was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and is of Hispanic heritage. She attended FDR High School and Kingsborough Community College. She worked as a bookkeeper for 15 years. In expanding her education she attended Willsey Institute in 2001 for Nursing, Phlebotomy and EKG certification. Ms. Perez along with her husband and daughter relocated to Florida in 2003. She completed training HIV 500/501 and is presently a volunteer certified pre & post counselor and tester. She is a volunteer Program Director of The Place of Comfort and Executive Director of Easy Access Resource, Not-for-profit agencies assisting individuals who are medically frail in providing resource needs in crisis situations. She was an appointed member to the Orlando Eligible Metropolitan areas EMA HIV Health Services Planning Council and CFAP Consortia, She is also a representative to the Seminole County community. She is a sponsor to the Children's Miracle Network, International Fellowship of Christian and Jews, volunteer for the Coalition for the Homeless on Central Florida. She is a first time Author. She is a Christian.
www.venusperez.com - horizonbyv@aol.com
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Excerpts
Happy Times/Happy Herald- The Good News Newspaper
August 13, 2007
http://www.happyherald.com/index.html
http://www.happyherald.com/featured1.htm
Championing A Cause Encourages Community
By Theresa Sweeney
Venus Perez, a twenty year survivor, author and educator of AIDS.
Venus Perez is 41 years old. That itself is unremarkable, until you add the fact that she is a 20 year survivor of AIDS.
Venus was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, after being exposed by an ex-partner who died that same year. Besides herself, she knows of only two other people who are long term survivors of this disease. Sadly, everyone else has passed away. She considers herself here for a reason - to advocate and educate.
“Normally I would not expose my disease to the world because of the stigma that comes with it, but I want to make a difference,” she says.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Venus attended FDR High School, and Kingsborough Community College. She was a Bookkeeper for 15 years and is also a Singer and Songwriter. She later received training as an HIV Client Centered Counselor and Tester, and was educated in Domestic Violence, and HIV Transmission, Prevention and Legal Issues.
Venus fears that people are perishing for lack of knowledge of this disease. “My concern is that there is all this HIV/AIDS information on the Internet, but unfortunately many people do not have access to a computer,” she says. To counter back, she wrote a book. It’s titled, “I’m Still Here” and deals with the history, testimony, education, outcomes and strengths of people living with HIV/AIDS. Always striving to give useful information to the public, Venus used the stories in the book in a recent summer series called, Reaching New Horizons, to empower many individuals and families infected and affected by this illness.
Venus has devoted countless hours as a volunteer for The Place of Comfort, and Easy Access Resource, Inc. (www.easyaccessresourceinc.org) - both not-for-profit agencies assisting individuals and families with food and community resource needs in crisis situations. On February 8, 2007, she was awarded the Unsung Hero Award, by the Heart of Florida United Way and The Central Florida AIDS Planning Consortium. The award recognized her valuable contributions in advocating for the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, impacting communities within which they live, and for exhibiting a commitment to preventing the spread of HIV infection through outreach and education.
“HIV/AIDS has changed America and the world,” she says. “For 25 years it seemed to bring out the worst in us, but ultimately, it brought out the best, and transformed the nation. AIDS has left its mark on our history, culture and souls.”
Venus is presently disabled, but her health has improved tremendously. She is optimistically pursuing new goals for 2007. With the help of Carlos Ayala, Director and Founder of HIV-AIDS-Help-Desk.com, she is focused on answering daily email questions from individuals wanting further information. She is also busy marketing her book, which recently made the list of Top 30 most popular bestseller AIDS items on Amazon.com.
Venus considers herself just one person trying to change the world for the better. I like to stay low key, but I pack a punch!” she says. “I will continue to proceed forward with my family on my quest to make a difference. Hoping that others will see my passion and unite with me as one - reaching out to outside sources, community partners, community liaison partners, clinics and RN’s. I want people to realize and be inspired that though I ventured out on my own with no funding, I am still able to make a difference in 5 Florida counties - Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Lake and Brevard.”
“Unfortunately, it will a long time until a vaccine is found,” she says, expressing concern about where future leaders will come from. “I am very sympathetic to the current Case Managers with the tremendous case loads they carry - those people who go the extra mile and are willing to work together towards a common goal and not for their own personal gain or a paycheck. My question is: Where are the incentives from long term sponsors for future replacements for peers, advocates, and case managers for the future of HIV/AIDS? Who are the teachers for the future generations?
When I went to the Ryan White All Titles meeting held on March 28, 2007, Ryan’s mother, Jeanie White, was present. I cried like a baby when I watched the video of Ryan. After the video I approached Jeanie and thanked her. She has been the leading force through all the years. She understands! She is driven by Ryan and will be for the rest of her life. How do I know this? When I looked in her eyes I did not see business or politics as some might call it. I saw her heart and I saw Ryan. United Hearts is what will get us through the next generation.”
You can contact Venus at VenusPerez@aol.com.
Statistics: Quick Notes
As it is written on the
Kaiser Family Foundation: HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet-December 2006
Women and Young People
*Among Women, Latinas account for 16% of new AIDS cases in 2005. Black women account for 67% and white women account for 16%. (1,7,9)
*Latinas represent 22% of AIDS cases diagnosed among Latinos in 2005.: by comparison, white women represent 14% of cases among whites, and Black women represent 35% of cases diagnosed among Blacks (1,9)
*The AIDS case rate per 100,000 among Latinas (26.4) was nearly 6 times higher than the case rate for white women (2,1).(1,9)
Latino teens, aged 13-19, accounted for 14% of AIDS cases among teens compared to 16% of all U.S teens in 2004. (2)
Latinos aged 20-24 accounted for 23% of new AIDS Cases reported among young adults, but represented 18% of U.S young adults, in 2004 (2)
References Sources:
1- CDC, HIV/AIDS Surveilance Report, Vol. 17 2006
2- CDC, HIV/AIDS Surveilance in Adolescents and Young Adults (Through 2004)
7- Calculations based only on cases for which race/ethnicity data were provided
9- Inlcudes reported cases among those 13 year of age and older. Estimates do not include cases from the U.S dependencies, possessions, and associated nations, and cases of unknown residence.
Kaiser Family Foundation:
www.kff.org
Thank you for standing with us to make a difference and for your time to read this email and for your support.
Regards,
Venus Perez
Author of book-I'm Still Here
Email: horizonbyv@aol.com
Websites:
http://www.venusperez.com
Orders can be placed on
our (SSL) secure web-sites:
Please view information below or visit my website at:
http://app.fastshoppingcart.com/preview/start.sc?previewStorefrontTicket=1A0BCB4F-9A95-DEF4-BF62-6FE1F9E212FE
or
www.shop.venusperez.com
Trafford Publishing (enter author & book name)
www.trafford.com
or
Venus' Online Shop at:
www.shop.venusperez.com
email us at
horizonbyv@aol.com
Websites:
www.venusperez.com
Also available in bookstores worldwide.
Copyright © 2007 Venus Perez. All rights reserved.
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