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Hello and Welcome to Summer!
I would like to say hello to all of our loyal supporters and to thank
you for all of your efforts – monetarily and time – that you have given
to DCAP over the years. We could not support our clients without your
generosity.
Recently, our Executive Director applied for a grant through the
Sunflower Foundation. The funds are a part of the stimulus money for
job creation and extended business hours. DCAP has been approved for
the grant and we are very excited about this opportunity to provide
additional support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. The grant requires
that DCAP raise or contribute a match of 10% of the $30,000 being
awarded for a total of $3000. We know times are tough but we are asking
for your help. Could you please support this opportunity and send a
check that would directly apply to this $3000 matching fund? $20, $50,
and $250 whatever you can afford to give DCAP the opportunity to better
serve our clients.
This year we observe the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the DCAP.
We hope to have a special observance this Fall at our annual Art
Auction and to bring back some of the many faces who have been a part
of the DCAP family these past 20 years. If you know of anyone who would
like to be a part of this ‘reunion’ of sorts, please let the office
know. We would also love to hear your stories and memories of your time
with DCAP.
Have a great summer!
Penny Hotchkiss
Chair, Board of Directors
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E.D.'s Corner
Despite the fact that AIDS is misperceived as manageable in the United
States, there are more people living with HIV in America who are
unaware of their status than ever before. The domestic epidemic is
worse than we thought. HIV infection levels in the U.S. remain too
high: a new infection every 9.5 minutes in our country is not
acceptable by any standards.
How did this happen? How are we seeing the same rates of new HIV
infections that we did in the 1980’s? The answer is simple: AIDS
fatigue. Unfortunately, the attention span for any social cause is
difficult to maintain. Even the most compassionate advocate can tire.
However, we must remain most vigilant about the pandemic that refuses
to die. It is time to renew the fight against AIDS, to show the
seriousness of the pandemic, and reveal the roots of stigma,
discrimination and ignorance in our communities.
Until there is a cure and people who are HIV positive feel secure about
stepping forward, agencies like DCAP will continue their important
work. This is an important time to come together, communicate the needs
and resources, and help those who are in need and in crisis. But in the
meantime, enjoy the summer, keep in touch and don't forget to visit our
web site. DCAP staff and volunteers count on you to join us to become
the generation that ends AIDS..
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Stacy's Summer 2009
 Hola!
By the time many of you read this I will already be in my summer
destination, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Some of you may know that in
January 2009, I returned to graduate school at the University of Kansas
to work on my MA in International Studies, with a regional focus on
Latin America. In May I was awarded the Tinker Research Grant from KU;
I will be studying violence against indigenous women and volunteering
with one of the many women’s organizations. I hope to understand how
HIV/AIDS is affecting many small Latin American communities as well has
how to work with indigenous populations. I am very excited to expand my
Spanish speaking skills so that when I return to DCAP in August I will
be able to successfully deliver full presentations and education in
Spanish. I am also excited for our former Masters of Social Work
Intern, Sara, to join our staff for the summer, and I look forward to
growing as an educator and sharing my experiences with all of you when
I return.
Please join me on my experience at my blog.
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Save the Date for Art Auction 2009!
You won’t want to miss this year’s Red Ribbon Art Auction on November 8th 2009!
This fun and festive event comes around just in time for gift-giving
season. If you would like to donate artwork, merchandise, or services
please contact us at 785-843-0040 or dcap@sunflower.com.
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Mardi Gras Party
 The
DCAP Mardi Gras Party was held on February 21st at Liberty Hall. All
who attended had a great time. A big thanks to our committee: Penny
Hotchkiss, Mark Batesel, Michelle Weigand, and Elena Ivanov, who spent
many hours preparing for this annual event. A special thanks to Pam
Weigand, who spent most of Saturday assisting the committee with set up
at Liberty Hall. The evening began at 5:30 when the doors opened for a
Cajun Buffet Dinner of jambalaya, beans and rice, succotash, and
bourbon pecan pie. The doors re-opened to other revelers at 7:30.
Everyone enjoyed cocktails and conversation until Kelly Hunt took the
stage. DCAP would like to express its sincere thanks to Kelly Hunt for
donating her services to this annual event. Liberty Hall looked extra
festive this year thanks to Lawrence High School art students, who
created a backdrop of Mardi Gras-inspired sculptures.
Although the event was a huge success by attendee standards, from a
financial perspective, it was not a successful moneymaker. For a
non-profit organization, it is expected that such events make money,
especially ones that require so many volunteer hours to stage. Many of
you may not realize that DCAP pays for the use of Liberty Hall, and
while Kelly Hunt donates her time, DCAP pays for the services of her
band. This year, DCAP did not raise enough money to cover its expenses
related to the event, most of which were for the venue and the band.
Although the 2008 Mardi Gras Party was profitable, the Board believes
that the revenue was disproportionate to the numerous hours required to
plan and execute the event. Taking all of this into consideration, the
Board of DCAP has decided to discontinue this event in its present
format. It has yet to be determined if the Mardi Gras Fundraiser will
take another form next year, or simply be eliminated. We thank you, our
supporters, for your understanding and encourage you to contact Steve
Maceli (steve@macelis.com) with new ideas for retooling this event. He will be presenting new ideas to the board in the near future.
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Going... Going... Green!
 You
may have heard recently about DCAP “going green.” Working to convert
our paper newsletters to e-newsletters is just one of a variety of
efforts being made by our agency to ensure responsible stewardship of
our natural resources and our donation dollars. DCAP has enacted a
waste prevention and recycling policy to set forth standards and
organizational processes aimed at reducing our impact on the
environment.
You can contribute to our effort by providing your email address to
DCAP. You may have already received a call from one of our volunteers
requesting this information. If you haven’t already done so, please
email us at dcap@sunflower.com and tell us that you would like to receive your newsletter by email. We promise not to share your address!
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Do Tattoos Pose a Risk for HIV?
Answer: Yes, anything punctures the skin has the potential for
transferring infectious blood. Protect yourself by: 1) Finding a licensed facility;
2) Taking a tour of the facility, to observe disinfecting and hand
washing habits as well as the safe disposal of equipment; 3) Checking
the equipment - all equipment should be disposable single use,
including needles, inks, and razors (Sterilizing fluid does not cut
it!); 4) Finally, trust your gut - if you feel unsafe walk out.
Tattoos are meant to be beautiful, not dangerous to your health!
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 DCAP AIDS Quilt Panels On Display
In observance of its 20th anniversary, DCAP is planning to display AIDS
Memorial Quilt Panels at the Lawrence Public Library in July. Members
of the DCAP Quilting Circle created the quilt panels in memory of loved
ones who died of AIDS.
Since 1985, the AIDS Quilt has served as a visual reminder of the AIDS
pandemic, while the panels serve as memorials to those who have died
from AIDS. Following display of the quilt panels in July, they will be
sent to the NAMES Project Foundation: AIDS Memorial Quilt, which
displays the quilt panels around the world. More information about the
NAMES Project can be found at www.aidsquilt.org.
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Thank You and Goodbye!
This spring and summer bring to an end the terms of several of our
beloved board members: Mary Head, Bill Pruett, John Staniunas, Michele
Weigand, and Cindy West. While we are sad to see them go, we so
appreciate the selfless gift of their precious time, energy, and
expertise! Where would we be without Cindy’s quiet effectiveness and
broad network of supporters? Mary’s hard work behind the scenes has
been invaluable. We didn’t let her go without a promise to sit on the
Art Auction committee again this year! Besides the usual board
responsibilities, John and his students used their talents to put on
annual musical revues to raise funds for DCAP. “Dr.” Bill has been a
huge help at every event as he kept us in touch with the student world.
Michele’s leadership and her tremendous work on the Walk helped us to
carry forward our 20-year tradition of caring and sense of community.
Each of these wonderful people shared with us their unique gifts and
good intentions, and we are very, very grateful. We hope to see them at
fabulous DCAP events in the future!
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