programs

Our Current Programs & Services:

• Monthly Dinners

Gourmet meals prepared by local chefs in area
restaurants. Check calendar for details.

• Volunteer Transportation Program

We maintain a list of volunteers who assist other guests
with transportation to and from our dinners and other
events.

• HIV Testing

HIV testing is available by referral to
the Rensselaer County Health Department, or
appointments can be made for a Health Department
clinician to do the test at the center.

They use a blood test which is more accurate than
the Oraquick test which is prone to false positives.

• Monthly HIV Fact Sheet

Informative HIV fact sheets and brochures are published
monthly and available in the literature rack at the center.

• On-Line Memorial

We maintain an on line Memorial page on this web site
where we post the names of partners, friends, and family
members, who have passed. Guests, members, donors, or
participating friends of the center can request that we
include the name of someone they wish to be listed.

• Memorial Altar Plaque

We maintain a Memorial Plaque with the names of loved
ones who have passed.

Names are engraved on brass plates that are mounted on a
walnut perpetual memory plaque. Guests of the center can
request to have names added. There is a nominal suggested
donation to cover the cost of engraving and installation.

For more information about our Memorial programs,
Call: ( 518 ) 266-1280

• Annual Memorial Dinner

It started with the Memorial Dinner in October 2006
for one of our founding members. There were 40 guests,
the meal was elegant, the harpist was superb, the memorial
service was cathartic. It was a very moving event that gave
closure to the folks who attended. We decided to make it a
tradition by holding a memorial dinner every year in October.

• Memorial Tree Planting Program

On-Line Calendar & News Site

We maintain a full service web site that is updated several
times a week, featuring many informative articles and links
to local and national resources.

• 24-7 Direct Phone Access

We consider this a vital service, and it is indicative of the
respect we have for our guests.

Before our center was established, I had called another HIV
support group in the area . . . many times over a period of
several weeks. I kept getting useless voice mail, and no
return call in response to the many messages I had left.

That was my first clue that we needed an HIV support group
that is consumer centric, and always reachable.

We make it a policy to be available by phone, 24 - 7, no voice
mail or answering machine . . . when you call the Randy Shilts
Center you get staff, immediately.

When people are in crisis, or just need to have a reassuring
conversation or get some information ~ we are always there!

HIV / AIDS doesn't take a vacation ~ and neither do we.

~ ( 518 ) 266-1280 ~

• Food Safety & Handling Tips:

We have an on-line page with numerous links to sources
of safe food handling tips, we have regular discussions
about food handling at the center, and there are brochures
available. We also send our volunteers to be trained and
certified in food safety.

We practice what we preach. Meals are served hot, foods
are kept on warming trays, or under infra-red heat lamps
when being served, and all kitchen surfaces are sanitized
often. Staff is certified in safe food handling, hands are
washed often, and gloves are required. The freezers are
at sub zero, and the refrigerators are set at 34 degrees.

• HIV Education

There are general ongoing discussions about HIV, new
information is brought to the group regularly by our
guests, periodicals and med up-dates from various sources
are made available, and we invite speakers from other
agencies who have specialized experience with the many
aspects of HIV to address the group.

• Wellness Training

Professionals are invited to address the group to discuss
and advise on issues of nutrition, boosting the immune
system, fitness, and all aspects of leading a healthy positive
lifestyle to sustain wellness.

• Affiliate Membership Cards at Sam's Club

On a limited basis, to members only, we offer affiliate
shopping cards for only $8.00 per year.

By taking advantage of this program, and shopping
carefully, the savings is substantial. We have done
comparitive studies and found that the average family
can save well over $100. per month by using this card.

Money saved is money earned. $1,200 per year saved on
groceries is a big assist for people struggling to manage
on a low fixed income.

• Monthly Shopping Trip To Latham Stores

To assist those who don't have cars or easy access to public
transportation, we ofer a monthly shopping trip to Sam's Club,
and the other stores in the Latham malls.

• Monthly Movies & Snacks

On scheduled Wednesdays we run movies that are requested /
selected by guests. We provide a variety of beverages and
popcorn, and guests are encouraged to bring a store bought
snack to share if they'd care do to so. Sorry, nothing home made
for obvious reasons.

• Weekly Bowling ( Resumes Spring of '07 )

We bowl every Monday at 2:00 PM at the Uncle Sam Lanes,
600 Fulton Street, Troy. Snack bar available. We have made
arrangements with the establishment for very low cost to our
guests of $2.00 per game bowled. Free shoe rental.

This program is canceled for the Winter, and will resume in
the Spring of 2007.

• HIV Legal Workshop ( Spring of '07 )

• Reference Library At The Center

Home

Local Resources Directory / Food Pantry Directory / About Us / Shop

National News & Resources Directory / About Randy Shilts / Meeting Notes

Center News / Feedback / Disability Resources / Pet Companions / Ledger

Editorial / Bowling / Randy Shilts Community Garden / Safe Food Handling

Law Workshop / The Pesky Sarpent II / How You Can Help

Administration & Policies / Programs & Services / ~ In Memoriam ~

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