Walk helps Diocese respond to ailing people

So says Joseph Kerwin, executive director of Diocesan AIDS Services, a Catholic Charities agency. He is making a plea for Catholics to join AIDSWalk 2002, a fundraising effort for a host of local HIV and AIDS services, including Catholic Charities.

Diocesan AIDS Services currently has about 75 people in its case-management program, hailing from Troy, Albany, Amsterdam, Hudson and Catskill. Another 25 to 30 people are provided with pastoral care at Albany Medical Center by Rev. John Lysogorski, who also helps them with transportation needs.

Filling needs

A single mom may come to the agency looking for help. She is HIV-positive and living on Social Security-Disability, trying to take care of her three or four children while staying as healthy as possible.

When a Diocesan AIDS Services caseworker steps in, his priority is to make sure she's taking her medications, and getting to doctor and clinic appointments. However, caseworkers also work with the Albany Law Clinic to settle legal matters regarding future care of the client's children, and with the Farano Center, which also does such "permanency planning."

Support

If walk participants register to walk for Catholic Charities, half of the money they raise will go directly to Diocesan AIDS Services. The other half goes into a common pool to which all the AIDS agencies in the area can apply for grants.

Mr. Kerwin said the funds Catholic Charities receives have traditionally been used for emergency assistance -- for example, when a client with AIDS suddenly has to go into the hospital and needs help paying rent or an electric bill.

The director asked that people seriously consider registering for the AIDSWalk.

"The AIDS epidemic is far from over," he stated. "Particularly in the rural areas and communities of color, people are being infected at a very high rate. It's not just about gay men any more. We need to have the resources to meet the changing needs of people with HIV and AIDS."

(AIDSWalk 2002 will be held Sept. 29, 1 p.m., at Washington Park in Albany. Participants will walk a short route through the park, being sponsored by supporters. For information on signing up, call 449-3581. According to Joseph Kerwin of Diocesan AIDS Services, crucial needs of clients in the Albany Diocese are housing specifically for people with HIV and AIDS; programs to support people in keeping to their medication regimens (people with HIV and AIDS often take 25-30 pills per day, some of which have major side-effects); programs to address the needs of people with HIV/AIDS and substance abuse or mental health issues; and programs to address the needs of people in rural areas.)

(09-19-02) [[In-content Ad]]