BCPWA's 25th Anniversary
By Fiona Old
I recently attended the BCPWA Red Ribbon Circle Tour at the society office on Seymour Street in Vancouver,BC. A welcoming team of dignified and articulate men and women showed a group of us guests around the premises. The search engines of democracy run slowly in this group because every voice counts, and thoroughness takes time.
BCPWA is a self-empowering society supporting individuals with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It was founded in 1986. It is run by and for persons living with HIV disease and AIDS. http://www.bcpwa.org Make no mistake,this registered charity is a smoothly run organization in great demand.
On our tour a BCPWA member from each department enthusiastically showed us around their office and carefully explained the purpose of each operation and the need it serves. As I moved from one room to another, from the Media Room to the Internet Café, from the Health Clinic to the Advocacy and Prison Outreach Department, from the Boardroom to the Hair Salon, a sense of family pride emerged. Gay Pride. Family Pride. Spic and span walls,floors and table tops spoke of caring for one another and sharing. Many many pictures brighten the walls, and systematic filing of books and papers speak of careful tending. Pressing need and heavy traffic has only motivated the members to self supportive teamwork and pride of place.
The BCPWA services are regularly accessed by many of the 13,000 to 15,000 HIV+ individuals in BC. This disease touches us all. BCPWA is the only resource for some people with the disease. There are some sufferers March 2011 who leave the prison system, for example, with little more than the clothes on their back.
So Polli and Esther's Closet offers needed clothing and household items to those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Donations, high end or not, of unwanted items for men and women are much appreciated. A Wish List of more general items needed is available. Financial donations are always wanted to keep the programs going. "Polli and Esther" want you to see that gifts are honoured, and used with ultimate care, to keep dignity alive and well in the AIDS community. This is their 25th Anniversary after all. We should take in some presents!
-Fiona Old
http://www.vancouvershoppingbyappointment.com
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