How “Suite” It Is!
CAMP Rehoboth Opens New Doors
CAMP Rehoboth is proud to announce the opening of its Health Suite, located at the rear of 39 Baltimore Avenue, in the corner of the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard.
The new space affords a welcome level of privacy and confidentiality for CAMPsafe HIV testing. For the past 20+ years, CAMPsafe testing has taken place in the upstairs offices at 37 Baltimore Avenue. This can be problematic in a thriving community center, where community members wanting to take advantage of CAMPsafe’s walk-in, anonymous testing had first to navigate the front office and its programming.
The new space also holds sentimental value for CAMP Rehoboth, as it marks the office “where it all began.” In 1991, the corner office at 39 Baltimore Avenue saw the birth of the CAMP Rehoboth operation, founded by Murray Archibald and Steve Elkins.
“To expand CAMPsafe HIV testing to this space, where CAMP Rehoboth grew from an idea into an office and soon into the heart of the community, really is terrific,” said Lisa Evans, CAMP Rehoboth Interim Director.
The suite will be staffed by CAMPsafe’s volunteer testers and counselors. Last July, CAMPsafe increased the availability of HIV testing to daily. The expansion was made possible by the availability of additional certified testers—E.J. Kenyon, Joe Vescio, and Sharon Morgan—who completed training offered by the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Additionally, Alan Spiegelman, who for the past several years had tested Mondays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., expanded to Tuesdays during the same hours. Rounding out the week, Vescio and Kenyon test on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., respectively, and Morgan tests on Friday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Since January, Morgan has been evaluating test sites in Western Sussex, such as the ACE Peer Resource Center in Georgetown, Laurel State Service Center, ACE Peer Resource Center in Seaford, and Addictions Medical Facility (AMF) in Seaford.
CAMP Rehoboth owes a debt of gratitude to Project Manager Carol Brice, who spearheaded the project renovations. Brice’s previous experience as the associate director of residential facilities at the University of Maryland made her the perfect person for the job.
The repairs were made throughout the winter by Seaside Home Services, LLC. Brice met with the crew regularly. “Without Carol’s tremendous help, this project would not have been possible,” said Evans.
“It’s a wonderful location and turned out to be one of the best-looking offices in downtown Rehoboth,” Brice said proudly.
“We’re so excited to kick off the Rehoboth Beach summer season with a new Health Suite,” said Tara Sheldon, CAMP Rehoboth’s new Health & Wellness Manager, who moved into that role on February 27. “This will be an invaluable resource to our community, and we welcome anyone interested in learning more to contact us.” Options are to ring the office at 302.227.5620 or email tara@camprehoboth.com. ▼
HIV testing is free of charge, and results are given in 15 minutes. The tests are administered via a finger stick. Testers cannot diagnose or treat any symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms as a result of a sexual encounter, please see your primary care physician or visit a local sexual health clinic. If you are concerned that you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, please contact your primary care physician immediately or visit your local Emergency Department. CAMP Rehoboth’s HIV testing program has a long-standing relationship with the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Matty Brown is the Communications Manager at CAMP Rehoboth and editorial associate at Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.