Living Out Loud 2: Rick Van Story Center Consumer Conference

Our friends at the Rick Van Story Center are hosting a Consumer Conference, "Living Out Loud 2: The Magic of Transformation" Friday, September 9. Tickets are only $2.00. The keynote speaker is Antonio Lambert. Buses are provided in Southern Delaware, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Register or get more information here.

The mission of the Rick VanStory Resource Center (RVRC) is to be the premier peer support center promoting recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for individuals throughout the state of Delaware (RVRC) also proudly accepts donations of all kinds. Please call (302) 691-7950 to support their cause.

Benefit for Mike Kriner and Chris Sturmfels

The family and friends of Mike Kriner and Chris Sturmfels are raising awareness for a benefit to be held in Wilmington on August 27th 2011 and would greatly appreciate your support! A 5K Walk/Run and post run “Fun Day” at Rockford Park are being organized to raise money for the education funds of 4 young children who lost their fathers on February 25, 2010 in a DUI traffic accident.

Chris Sturmfels and Mike Kriner were social workers employed by Connections, a non-profit organization offering community support programs. These devoted husbands and fathers were tragically killed by someone with the problems they specialized in treating.

Now, their friends and family are working hard to coordinate a day in honor of these two gentlemen who lived life to its fullest and truly gave back to their community in so many ways. Their fundraising efforts will raise money for the children’s education trusts. All net proceeds generated from the event will be donated in full to the trusts.

The Beck Sturmfels Educational Trust

Michael T. Kriner Education Fund

A committee has been established to coordinate the day’s events and we are hoping you may be able to help. Here are some ways you can help make the event a success:

• Become a Platinum Sponsor by donating $500 or more. Your organization’s name/logo will be printed on the event banner and t-shirts.
• Become a Gold Sponsor by donating $250 or more. Your organization’s name/logo will be printed on the event t-shirts.
• Become a Silver Sponsor by donating any amount.
• Donate raffle items or gift certificates.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Kriner Sturmfels Education Fund

MAIL TO: P.O. Box 243, St. Georges, DE 19733

For all inquiries, contact Nicole Roy at nroy@ingdirect.com or Claire Callahan at ccallahan@ingdirect.com

Other ways you can help if you are unable to make a monetary donation:

• Post event details on your website, news letter or bulletin
• Offer event flyers to your customers
• Volunteer to help on event day (sign-ups, water stations, fun day activities, etc.)
• Spread the word to your family, friends and employees

Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to provide.

Summer Jam: Rick Van Story Center Event and Fundraiser

Our friends at the Rick Van Story Center are holding a Summer Hip Hop Jam Fundraiser Friday, May 27.

The mission of the Rick VanStory Resource Center (RVRC) is to be the premier peer support center promoting recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for individuals throughout the state of Delaware (RVRC) also proudly accepts donations of all kinds. Please call (302) 691-7950 to support their cause.

We encourage you to come out and support this great organization! Click here to download a flyer.

Bill Introduced to Continue Delaware Needle Exchange

Delawareonline.com reports that a bill has been released to the State Senate to remove the "sunset" provision from the Delaware Needle Exchange, which was slated to expire next year.

The program has moved over 200 people to drug treatment in 4 years, far exceeding its goal of five a year. It has a total enrollment of 1,025.

"Our needle exchange program saves hundreds of lives and saves the state millions in potential health care costs," said Basha Silverman, director of Prevention programs for BCCS.

Read the full story here.

Video: AIDS Plus 30 in Delaware

This video from WHYY's "First" looks at HIV/AIDS in Delaware 30 years later. Despite prevention efforts like the needle exchange, new infections continue, and so does the stigma. The issue seems to have disappeared from the headlines, at a time when more education is needed.

Watch the video here (click Chapter 3).

Also, read the companion article from Delaware Today, The Fight Continues.