Earlier this year I asked the readers of LETTERS to financially support KSAP, the Kent Sussex AIDS Program. Little did I know that the greatest support would come as a direct result of a terrible tragedy, the death of Paige Phillips Berdini. In life Paige supported those accessing services at KSAP with her kindness and support. Many times I have heard my clients say, "Paige and I..." She also provided a great meal at Cloud 9 to those unable to financially afford such a luxury.
Her support did not stop at her death. Her family designated that donations in her honor be made to KSAP to subsidize counseling services for those who could not afford such services. John, Sue and Jay reached out to others during what was a devastating time in their lives by establishing this fund. I hope that they are able to gain some comfort in knowing that because of their support, others are able to receive services.
Other community members, such as Natalie Moss, who in celebrating her birthday, requested that in lieu of presents her friends should make contributions to several worthy organizations, and KSAP was one of those agencies. Her celebration became our celebration.
Thanks also to David Patterson and the members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth for offering space for our groups to meetwithout this support these groups would be homeless!
Steve Hoult and Rick Bane have not only supported our programs through their Annual Coat drive, but they have also added their help through collecting donations in memory of Paige. I will never forget the love, comfort and support they both provided Richard Erskine during his illness. I still carry the "emergency number" card in my wallet that they gave me.
As KSAP expands, we are able to offer services not only to those living with HIV. We have developed gay/lesbian/ transgender specific counseling services. Services are funded through Public Health (thanks, Jim Dickinson), private donations, fee for services and the Division of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health. Our private donations are being used for sponsoring our counseling services. The community can now have safe supportive settings to discuss any issuesrelationships, family, life changes, etc. effecting daily life.
Nancy Holmes and Steve Dashiell (staff members) presented our HIV Prevention program for resort communities at the National Lesbian and Gay Health Associations 19th Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA. It was quite an honor to be selected as a presenter and we wish to thank the community for its involvement with our programs. We are committed to working towards the goal of a happy, healthy, connected community and your participation is important.
Finally, I wish to thank both Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald. Your support has been felt in many ways by our staff and our programs. From donating posters for our waiting room to space in LETTERS, to food for our African American Womens Health Conference, to providing a caring and supportive ear when neededwe thank you both!
To the readers of LETTERS, please call for services or any information that you want regarding KSAP. We will design our services to meet the community need.
Thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Penny LeCates KSAP Program Manager
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10/17/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.