Change in Prevention Department means cost savings, benefits for clients

HIV Alliance has recently implemented structural changes to its Prevention Department, which will bring significant cost savings and benefits for clients in need of services.

The Prevention Department is composed of four key areas: intravenous drug user outreach and SANA Needle Exchange; outreach to gay and bisexual men; HIV Testing Counseling and Referral services; and HIV/AIDS youth education programs.

The previous model included full-time program directors for each of the four areas. The new model is led by one prevention director, supported by several part-time outreach workers who are trained across the four areas. Most importantly, the new structure provides an estimated annual cost savings of $38,500. Also among its benefits, cross training of outreach workers creates a model resilient to staff
turnover, resources are focused more directly on services - not administrative costs, and volunteer involvement in direct service delivery is maximized.

For more information, visit www.hivalliance.org

Volunteer helps launch new needle cleanup program

Volunteers are the backbone of HIV Alliance, and the SANA Needle Exchange program's new awareness initiative is a prime example.

Spearheaded by HIV Alliance volunteer Joe Ferguson, the Neighborhood Needle Awareness and Clean-up Program (NACU) implements the safe pick up and disposal of used needles found in parks, school playgrounds, business buildings and alleys.

Since January, Joe's cleanup crews have picked up and safely disposed of about 600 dirty needles, primarily in Eugene's Whitaker neighborhood, Glenwood and west Springfield.


Click here to see recent news coverage about cleanup efforts.

HIV Alliance Profile:
Michael Eaves
New Prevention
Department Director

As a gay man growing up in the 1990s, Michael Eaves recalls the pervasive perception that HIV/AIDS was an inevitable reality for every gay man - a sad and heavy weight to bear.

His concern for himself and his peers led him to get involved as a volunteer with HIV Alliance in 2001. "I met an outreach worker who knew the seriousness of the disease, but also helped me learn that I could have a healthy, positive sexuality - that I could be concerned about HIV, but not be afraid and have healthy and safe sex," Michael says.

Michael first volunteered as a gay/bi outreach worker, and then as a testing counselor. Upon graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in women and gender studies, he was hired at HIV Alliance as the gay/bi outreach director, and recently assumed the new role of director of the Prevention Department.

Michael shares that through his years at HIV Alliance, the agency has worked to challenge the popular belief that gay men are self-hating and asserts that the majority of gay men use condoms and protect themselves from the disease. This defies the perception that they do not care about their bodies, lives or their partners and community.

Attending our HIV Today tour is one of the best ways to get acquainted with HIV Alliance. Participants learn about HIV/AIDS and how it impacts our community, meet our staff, and hear about the important work of HIV Alliance.

The next HIV Today tour is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at our office, 1966 Garden Ave., Eugene. To RSVP or for more information contact Etopi Fanta, events@hivalliance.org or 342-5088, Ext. 29.