LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
P.L. Active's Buddy Program Operates in Sussex County |
P.L. Active is an acronym for Persons Living with AIDS who are living full lives and want to share their positive attitude with others. It is also an AIDS service organization active in both Washington, DC and in Sussex County. In addition to a Buddy Program, P.L.Active sponsors bereavement groups, support groups, help in obtaining financial assistance, food support and advocacy for PWAs. P.L.Active's mission is to enhance the quality of life for persons living with AIDS or HIV. It strives to increase the level of care for people living with AIDS or HIV and especially to empower them by reducing isolation through supportive programs; to increase the level of care for people living with AIDS; to insure that adequate services evolve and are available and obtained. In addition, they want to advance both the public awareness of AIDS and a positive perception of people living with AIDS and HIV. At the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, AIDS services did not exist. The Buddy Program emerged as a community response to this lack of professional services. As AIDS treatments greatly extend the period of life, post_diagnosis, it is essential to maintain and increase the quality of that life. Over the years, the role of the Buddy has changed from meeting short_term needs and crisis intervention to building long_term supportive relationships. The Buddy Program in Sussex County provides a sense of empowerment through one_on_one assistance. Often the rural nature of our area causes isolation because of a lack of available transportation, a lack of easily available information, and confidentiality issues. The result is often a lack of basic emotional support and understanding. Therefore, it is envisioned that the role of the Buddy is to provide practical support, companionship, peer counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support for partners, friends and family. Buddy volunteers are recruited from the community at large. They are required to complete an intensive eight_hour training course (which is provided every few months). Buddies are also required to attend monthly team meetings, which are for administrative, supportive and educational purposes. They complete client update forms each month and peers conduct a performance review. Client referrals from churches, doctor's offices, case managers and many other agencies put potential clients in touch with the Buddy Program. After an intake interview, a matching process takes place. Hopefully, a "good chemistry" develops and the buddy relationship begins. To volunteer, request a buddy for yourself, or to refer another person to the P.L.Active program, please call Dave or Justin at 302-644-4791. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 5, May 19, 2000. |