Grassroots Organizations Unite to Amplify Understanding and Prevention of HIV
On Saturday, November 21st, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Rochester community will gather at Cathedral Hall, located on the fourth floor of the Rochester Auditorium Theatre building, for a unique event aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and efforts to develop a vaccine to stop the AIDS pandemic.
"Hope Takes Action: A Road to Victory for Rochester" is an initiative led by the MOCHA Center and the Rochester Victory Alliance. This event, sponsored by more than 20 organisations, including the Seattle-based HIV Vaccine Trials Network Legacy Project, Action for a Better Community, AIDS Community Health Center, AIDS Rochester, Al Sigl Center, the Bachelor Forum, Black Leadership Commission on AIDS-Rochester Affiliate, Black Men Latino Men Health Crisis, Developmental Center for AIDS Research at the University of Rochester, Empire State College, Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Huther-Doyle, McCree McCuller Wellness Center, New York State Department of Health Western Region HIV Program, Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS, Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church, and VisitRochester, promises to be an informative and entertaining evening.
The event will feature a mix of entertainment and information, with performances by JB Brown (Emcee), DJ Papito, Big Time & Nathaniel, FuturPointe, Imagen, a jazz ensemble from the Eastman School of Music, Miss Sweet Potato Pie, and The MOCHA All-Stars. The entertainment will include skits, theatrical entertainment, comedy, dance, and music including hip-hop, Latino Gospel/Rap, Gospel, theatrical and jazz.
In addition to the performances, attendees can expect a slideshow of AIDS posters from around the world, a ticket auction for local community business items, and food provided by Fresh Wise, donated by Wegmans. The event will also provide information about the toll of HIV/AIDS on the Rochester community and the world, prevention methods, and the importance of vaccine research in ending the pandemic.
Parking behind the building is free, and the theatre is located on the 8/8X bus route. The event is free and open to the public, though capacity is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event comes at an opportune time, as the Thai study on HIV vaccine preliminarily reduced the risk of infection by 31 percent, which is the most promising result yet in work toward an HIV vaccine.
Other sponsors for the event include Voices of Goodwill Baptist Church, Roc City Chronicles, and RAPA (Rochester Association for the Performing Arts).
Join us on November 21st for an evening of hope, action, and a step towards victory in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
- This unique community health event, 'Hope Takes Action: A Road to Victory for Rochester', not only aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, but also focuses on efforts to develop a vaccine to stop the AIDS pandemic.
- The evening, sponsored by over 20 organizations including science-driven institutions like the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the Developmental Center for AIDS Research at the University of Rochester, promises to be a blend of education-and-self-development and personal-growth through various entertainment and information sessions.
- The event, open to the public and free of charge, will feature diverse performances addressing mental-health (comedy, dance) and health-and-wellness (jazz, hip-hop, Latino Gospel/Rap, Gospel), alongside \ information about chronic-diseases and medical-conditions such as HIV/AIDS.
- Additionally, skill-training opportunities will be available through a ticket auction for local community business items and a slideshow of AIDS posters from around the world, providing an opportunity for career-development through self-development and awareness.
- As the most promising result yet in work toward an HIV vaccine emerges, with the Thai study on HIV vaccine preliminarily reducing the risk of infection by 31 percent, this event serves as a timely reminder of the importance of ongoing vaccine research in our scientific community.
