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Bernie Lorenz Shower
Sat., May 22, 2010
Give Back Des Moines
Sat., May 22, 2010
23rd Annual
New Pioneer/ICARE Pancake Breakfast Sunday, June 6, 2010 Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp in Iowa City - Arts Festival Weekend - |
FY2009 Annual
Report Released! |
You should have recently received your FY2009 Annual Report in the mail! A .pdf version of this report can also be found at www.meccaservices.com. As our fiscal year end approaches (June 30, 2010), we ask that you consider supporting MECCA and its many programs with a charitable gift. We make gift gifting easy by offering a variety of options: on-line, by phone, or by snail mail. Please contact Sandy Durbala (in Iowa City) or Amanda Samuelson (in Des Moines) with questions. |
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Getting an HIV test is easier than ever before! With the availability of new forms of testing, like the oral swab, getting your HIV test is quick, easy and painless, with results in just minutes! For more information on where to go for testing, please contact Carol Paper at (319) 338-2135. |
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Voices from Within... | |
"When I was too ill to work I started to worry about my mortgage payment. I didn't know what to do so I called ICARE. They said they would be happy to help me. What a relief that was. I met with them and received assistance with my mortgage until I was able to get back on my feet. I am so grateful for the help that ICARE provided. I don't know what I would have done without them."
-- ICARE Client |
| About MECCA | |
MECCA Services is a community-based,
not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and/or treatment of:
● Substance abuse
● Mental health concerns
● HIV/AIDS
● Problem gambling
A full range of substance abuse services are offered, including prevention, early intervention, assessment, detoxification, treatment and continuing care.
MECCA Services' facilities are located in Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Polk, Warren and Washington Counties. For more information about MECCA, please visit:
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Contact
Community Affairs | |
Shannon Wagner
VP of Comm. Affairs
Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Fund Development Coordinator (Central IA) Sandy Durbala
Fund Development Manager (Eastern IA)
Walter Chien
Grant Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Please contact Sandy with comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter.
Donations can be made...
MECCA Services
430 Southgate Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52240
-or-
MECCA Services
3451 Easton Blvd.
Des Moines, IA 50317
3) By Phone:
319-248-8788 (Iowa City)
515-262-0349 (Des Moines)
Thank you for your support!
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The Essence of ICARE
 ICARE is a program of MECCA that provides comprehensive practical, emotional and financial support to persons living with HIV/AIDS, their partners, families, friends and others concerned about HIV and AIDS in our community. ICARE was established by a group of local volunteers in 1986 in the basement of an Iowa City church. At that time, HIV/AIDS carried with it a strong stigma and was viewed solely as a disease resulting in painful death, usually within months. Twenty-four years later, HIV/AIDS is seen as a chronic, manageable disease. With programs such as ICARE in place, diagnosed individuals can see themselves living long, productive and fulfilling lives. While the management of the disease has seen success, the number of HIV diagnoses in Iowa is on the rise. A recently released surveillance report issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health indicates that there were 127 new HIV diagnoses in 2009, up 18% from the previous year. The full report is available on-line at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/hiv_aids_programs.asp.
ICARE's Programs & Services
SISTA Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS is an African-American women's group focused on ethnic and gender pride, HIV knowledge, and skills training around sexual risk reduction behaviors and decision making. Members meet 3-4 times during the year and are awarded a certificate following completion of 10 hours of peer-led curriculum. CLEAR (Choosing Life: Empowerment! Action! Results!) CLEAR is a personalized, client-centered health promotion intervention for individuals age 16 and older living with HIV/AIDS. We provide clients with the skills necessary to be able to make healthy choices for their lives. Project Smart This program provides group-level risk education on HIV, Hepatitis and other STD's to clients undergoing treatment for substance abuse in our residential facility. Medication & Support (Ryan White Act) ICARE collaborates with local health departments and community-based organizations to provide HIV/AIDS medications and essential health and support services to HIV-positive individuals and their families. ICARE removes barriers to ensure that our clients attend medical appointments and adhere to their medication regimen. Under the same legislation, ICARE is able to obtain life-saving medications for underserved and uninsured clients through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ICARE provides these services to all residents of Iowa. Housing Assistance Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) allows ICARE to provide rental assistance and case management services to individuals on the verge of homelessness, or in need of safe, affordable housing. ICARE provides this service in 22 Eastern Iowa counties. ICARE Resources Our clients have a designated space at our 438 Southgate location where they can access reference materials, use a computer or facilitate small group meetings. Community involvement ICARE staff provides awareness and education presentations to community organizations and educational institutions.
For a complete list of direct case management services and more information about ICARE, visit www.icareiowa.org. |
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Keeping ICARE Vibrant
ICARE's Funding Streams
Many of the services provided by ICARE are funded by federal and state initiatives. Each of those programs is reliant on receiving funds through a grant application process. When funds are not available to award, programs go away.
The anticipated increase in need for services, coupled with limited or reduced resources, is putting stress on already established programs. An example of this is the ADAP drug assistance program which has a long waiting list of potential recipients and is in line for additional funding cuts. ADAP has been significant in giving HIV-positive individuals access to an expensive medicine regimen, thereby keeping them in medical care, slowing the spread of the disease and improving their quality of life.
What you can do to help
1) Make a charitable donation to MECCA, designated to ICARE. Private financial support is so crucial in providing comprehensive programs to those living with HIV/AIDS. Gifts to ICARE help our clients through medical and personal emergencies, provide transportation to medical appointments, help meet nutritional needs, and so much more. 2) Purchase a ticket for the 23rd Annual New Pioneer/ICARE Pancake Breakfast on June 6, 2010 (see more details below). All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the ICARE program. Invite your family and friends to join you! 3) Volunteer your time at the Pancake Breakfast! Over 80 volunteers are needed to set up, serve food/ beverages and tear down. Contact Ericka Pullen at 319-4357 or epullen@meccaia.com for details. New ICARE Leadership!  MECCA is pleased to announce that Carol Paper has recently been named ICARE's new Program Coordinator. She replaces Kurt Pierick who remains with MECCA as a Clinical Services Coordinator. Carol brings 20 years of HIV/AIDS experience to the program, most recently serving as ICARE's Prevention Specialist. Carol can be reached at (319) 338-2135 or via e-mail at cpaper@meccaia.com. |
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Events & Activities...
Join us for a Spring Shower at BLR!
Saturday, May 22, 2010 (11:30a.m. - 1p.m.)
 MECCA is hosting a luncheon shower with optional tours of the Bernie Lorenz Recovery house (4014 Kingman Blvd, Des Moines), on Saturday May 22 from 11:30a.m. to 1p.m. Our staff and clients invite you to celebrate the mission of BLR while helping to update the house with new or gently used items. A registry of needed items has been established at Wal-Mart. Reservations are being accepted through May 7 by contacting Amanda Samuelson at (515) 262-0349 or asamuelson@meccaia.com.
Give Back Des Moines
Saturday, May 22, 2010 (11:30a.m. - 1p.m.) On May 22, 2010, MECCA will participate in a community campaign called Give Back Des Moines, sponsored by the 2010 class of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. Our organization will benefit from a community-wide collection drive and will have a booth at a Not-for-Profit Education and Awareness Fair held that evening during the Iowa Cubs game, followed by a post-game concert at Principal Park. We are honored to have been selected to participate in this project.
23rd Annual New Pioneer/ICARE Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, June 6, 2010 (8a.m. - 1p.m.)
 The 23rd Annual New Pioneer/ ICARE Pancake Breakfast will be held Sunday, June 6, 2010 at the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp (SE Corner of Gilbert & E. Washington St. in Iowa City). A gourmet breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice and Starbucks coffee will be served from 8a.m. to 1p.m.
All proceeds will support ICARE's mission to enrich the quality of life for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Come enjoy the sweet sound of local entertainment and win great prizes...plus don't forget to check out the Iowa Arts Festival! Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line at www.icareiowa.org or at these Iowa City businesses: Fin & Feather, Hands Jewelers, Prairie Lights, Rumours Salon, Velvet Coat, New Pioneer Co-op (IC & Coralville) and the ICARE office located at 438 Southgate, Iowa City. Don't miss this fun and exciting Iowa City tradition!
Give Hope Auction 2010 a Success!
Thanks to everyone who supported our first ever Give Hope Online Auction with donations and bids. We put together a great catalogue of auction items and are already working on next year's event. Mark your calendars for the 2011 Give Hope Auction February 20-27, 2011!
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