October 24, 2009   Meeting Summary

DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network

S. Rosemary Pint Room, Wheaton Franciscan Campus

Wheaton, Illinois

 

  1. Co-chairs: Dr. Sandra Joireman, Ph.D., Chair of the Dept. of Politics and International Relations, Wheaton College; Sr. Glenna Czachor, OSF, Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office, Wheaton Franciscans.

10 persons were present.

  1. Sr. Glenna led a reflection “Embracing God’s Extravagant Love and Creation”
  2. Dr Joireman gave an overview of DGAAN.
  3. Dr. Joireman introduced our speaker, Suzanne Goering, Coordinator of Mosaic Initiative who shared her personal journey to advocacy and led a discussion on HIV Home Test Kits. Some of the key insights:

·         The importance of testing as a means of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS and the in availability of home tests in the US

·         Testing will also help determine trends for risk, infection rates, and drug requirements.

·         Mosaic Initiative leader, Brad Ogilvie has had led some advocacy efforts in Washington, DC with the CDC, the FDA and the Whitehouse.  More grassroots efforts are needed.

  1. The strategic advocacy plans for 2009 were given updates.

a.      Foreign Aid Reform HR 2139. Dr. Joireman updated the members on the progress of this legislation.  A number of local representatives have signed on in support of the bill; however Rep. Peter Roskam has failed to take a side one way or the other.  Dr. Joireman is leading a group of students to Rep. Roskam’s office on Mon. Oct 26 to urge him to support the legislation

b.      “Stop VULTURE Funds” Act (H.R. 2932). Hearings have not yet been scheduled; Jubilee USA Network is working to gain more support and has an action scheduled for Oct 30th to coincide with Halloween.  An online petition link and grassroots resources will be sent out earlier in the week.

c.      Stand up for the MDG’s:  Cancel the Debt for Human Development—More than 173,000 people participated during the event, October 16-18, sponsored by Jubilee USA Network, shattering last year’s record. 

d.      Health Care Reform and related legislation.  Jeana Stewart enthusiastically reported that the Ryan White act was re-funded for four years.  The bill is headed to the Whitehouse where it is presumed it will be signed. To read more about this recent victory visit  http://www.aidschicago.org/pdf/2009/RW_Reauth_Letter.pdf?q=content/blog/update-swine-influenza-and-hiv .The City of Chicago has reduced its HIV services by 4% in its budget for the upcoming year; it is expected that a similar reduction will occur in the state budget. 

e.      Those present brainstormed ideas for DGAAN in 2010.  Ideas were solicited for: education, legislation, and events. 

  1. The next meeting date is scheduled for December 5th, 2009, hosted by Wheaton College (exact location t.b.d.)
  2. It was recommended that a meeting calendar for the entire year be created so member knows the dates well-enough in advance for scheduling purposes.  Dr. Joireman and Sr. Glenna will work on this to present at the next meeting.
  3. The networking sharing on what advocates have done since the last meeting follows:

 

                     I.      Deacon Tom Richardt, St. John of Arc Catholic Church

·         Returned from Naviasha, Kenya mid-September (part of Joliet Diocese mission program). Talked to several organizations since that time to raise awareness of AIDS pandemic/become comfortable with AIDS problems through education.

·         Held Oktoberfest in parish end of September to raise funds for Upendo Village, we profit $7200 +.

·         Preached @ 6 masses on World Mission Sunday and relayed stories of AIDS effect on poverty.  How people are dealing with pandemic?

                   II.      S. Theresa Langfield, OSF, Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

·         Participated in Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Heritage Day

·         Viewed PPT at Wheaton Rotary on Education and Crafts sales

·         Participated in St. Joan of Arc Oktoberfest, craft sales, education

·         Started reworking of Upendo Village website

·         Participated in Wheaton Franciscan Fair Trade Coffee House event

·         Marketing crafts of Upendo Village clients for their self-sustenance

·         Networked with WFHC (Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare) Leaders in Racine and Milwaukee reg: Education Communication and Marketing crafts.

·         Started Blog  reg: Upendo Village on  Facebook

                  III.      Dr. Sandra Joireman, Wheaton College

·         Set up legislation visit with Rep. Peter Roskam

·         Spoke downtown @ a Bread for the World event promoting Art Simon’s book

·         Stood up Against Poverty

·         AIDS Task Force meeting for Wheaton College

·         Attended Upendo Village Board mtg

·         Attended St. Joan Arc Oktoberfest fundraiser for Upendo Village

                IV.      Kristin Hartsaw, DuPage County Health Department

·         Contacted Senators Durbin & Burris asking them to support extension of Ryan White Program

·         Signed AIDS Foundation of Chicago petition supporting a public option for U.S. Healthcare Reform

·         Currently planning a dinner party for HIV clients commemorating World AIDS Day and providing social support. The event will be held on December 4, @ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wheaton.

·         Participated in Chicago AIDS walk.

                  V.      S. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

·         Participated via conference call from Rome on October, 14. See attach document on Securing better access to early testing and treatment.......

                VI.      S. Glenna Czachor, OSF, Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

·         Presented a reflection on Jubilee Sunday October 18th for Stand Up Against Poverty Campaign. Led 48 people in the pledge to Stand Up Against Poverty Campaign; while contributed to recorded 173,000 + people worldwide.

·         Collected 120 postcards for the JubileeUSA network Change not Chains Campaign as well as approx $125 in coins

·         Began planning with Jeana Stewart and David Allen for World AIDS Day Ecumenical prayer service “Journey of Remembrance & Hope”

 

 

 

 

 

BRAINSTORMING IDEAS for DGAAN 2010: What should we bring to DGAAN?

 

  1. Upendo Village/website: Presentation following its new website launch
  2. Conference call w/S. Sheila
  3. Client Presentation: reg: From Canticle Place or other?
  4. Follow the FDA approval process- for home test kits, follow up with Brad Ogilvie
  5. DuPage Health Department-Participate in its brainstorming session
  6. AFC-AIDS Foundation of Chicago- Advocacy Presentation

 

 

 

Thanks for all that you are doing to make this world a safer and better place of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.