LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
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I was recently reminiscing with a couple of my cronies about those peaceful fall days that once graced the quiet hamlet of Rehoboth. We were sitting at the entrance to my development at what seems to be the longest light in existence, watching the constant stream of cars making their way to "Outlet Heaven" and another annual event being hosted downtown. While patiently waiting for the light to change, I embarked on memories of when the few lights we had were all blinking by this time, and the town was deserted until the warmth of the sun and the smell of Dolles popcorn ushered in another season. I spoke of the days when going to Ocean City was a salvation when it came to finding someplace to eat on a chilly Wednesday night. It was a time when you would need to prepare yourself for the long isolated winter, gathering what you needed before the sidewalks rolled-up at the end of October. Those were the days of traveling dinners and theme nights at friends houses, with the occasional trip to the big cities to maintain some contact with civilization.
Though these memories are somewhat bittersweet, I am comforted by the fact that even though Sussex County is growing at an alarming rate, the inhabitants still remain dedicated to maintaining community harmony and prosperity. Recently, there has been a resurgence of that small-town commitment, where communities have banded together to create a more positive environment. Efforts have been made to provide connections and extend resources in an expanding geographical area with a very diverse population. This is the guiding philosophy of the Sussex HIV/AIDS Resources Program (SHARP) that is housed in the building adjacent to the SCAC office. The center is committed to offering information, educational outreach, and referrals on HIV/AIDS related topics in hopes of raising awareness and better serving the members of our community that are living with HIV. As the area develops, so does the need to provide resources and services for our growing habitat. The Sharp Center is dedicated to serving the citizens of Sussex County. In cases where we cannot meet requests directly, we make every effort to find links to resources that are available at other locations throughout the county. Additionally, we serve as advocates when obstacles are presented that impede the health and wellbeing of our clients. The center is soon to be the home of a reference library provided by the Delaware HIV Consortium and the Delaware Academy of Medicine. We also currently have on-line access to the latest information on the WWW. The computer access is available daily from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Likewise, Internet training by Karene Jules-Chester, from the Delaware Academy of Medicine, is offered the second Thursday of each month. These training sessions provide instructions on accessing the sites that best meet the individual needs of the participants. The SHARP Center also plays host to educational and informational workshops on a variety of topics that included Geneva Conference Updates, Grief Workshop, Nutrition and Living with HIV, and AIDS 101 courses. We are very excited about the center, and word of the services we offer has been spreading. As we expand, the need for volunteers to help cover the hours of operation becomes more necessary. Likewise, we are seeking individuals to serve as client advocates to aid our clients that are experiencing difficulties accessing or receiving services. We are also taking nominations for an Advisory Board that will help guide our expansion and overall operations. If you are interested in serving in any of the aforementioned capacities, please contact me at 644-1094. Times are a changing, but some things remain the same... the need to work together to make a difference in the lives of those affected by or living with HIV and AIDS. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 15, November 20, 1998. |