A look back in history...
On December 1, 1988, World AIDS Day is observed for the first time. The date is designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the United Nations (UN).
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With the December 15
th deadline for January 1
st coverage quickly approaching, BCAP clients have been actively enrolling in or renewing their health insurance on Connect for Health Colorado. The final date of open enrollment for 2018 is January 12
th for February 1
st coverage. Exactly 90% of the Health Insurance Assistance Program clients have successfully completed enrollment for 2018. This includes those who qualify for off-marketplace and marketplace insurance, premium tax credits and wrap-around financial assistance through the Colorado AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
As predicted, BCAP has seen a 20% increase in clients who are newly eligible for private health insurance. Outreach and enrollment for these individuals is underway. BCAP has been fortunate to forge new relationships with these individuals who are currently uninsured and might have a recent diagnosis or need help accessing medical care and medications. Some of these individuals will enroll in Medical Case Management at BCAP in addition to Insurance Services.
Overall, the number of insured continues to rise which is improving accessibility to affordable coverage and helping people living with HIV to maintain healthy, productive lives and an undetectable virus. A big shout out to the teams at Connect for Health Colorado and Boulder-based Colorado PEAK for providing a very positive experience for Open Enrollment 5!
Questions about health insurance and enrollment can be directed to Erin Dupuis (Health Insurance Assistance Coordinator) at
[email protected].
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Coming Soon to BCAP’s HIV Testing Services!
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By the new year, BCAP will be using the
Alere Determine™ HIV- ½ Ag/Ab Combo
for HIV testing. This technology is the first U.S. FDA approved rapid HIV test that detects both HIV-1/2 antibodies and an HIV-1 antigen. This test provides the ability to detect HIV sooner than other conventional rapid tests, which rely solely on the presence of HIV-1/2 antibodies. Make sure and check out BCAP’s January e-newsletter for more info!
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Get your Tickets for "Do You Hear What I Hear? Laughter and Light"
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DGMC's annual holiday show
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Denver Gay Men’s Chorus (DGMC) presents their annual holiday show
Do You Hear What I Hear? Laughter and Light
on Friday, December 8, at First United Methodist Church located at 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder. Beginning at 8 P.M., this year’s program includes special guests Phoenix, Colorado Trans Community Choir, a brass ensemble, percussion and guest performers from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) will receive 5% of the evening’s proceeds.
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For many years, BCAP volunteers, along with their families and friends, have wrapped customers’ purchased gifts at Boulder’s Barnes & Noble and raised thousands of dollars in donations for BCAP’s HIV Care and Prevention Services. In 2016, this effort raised $4,295!
This year, gift-wrapping will take place at Barnes and Noble Booksellers located at 2999 Pearl St., Boulder CO on the following days:
- Thursday December 7th
- Monday December 11th through Sunday December 24th.
If you are interested in volunteering to do gift wrapping for BCAP at Barnes and Noble contact BCAP's Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah Annecone, at (303) 444-6121 or email [email protected].
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By Cynthia Olmsted
We would like to share one of many random acts of kindness that we experience at Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP). There are a lot of folks who donate different items or services to our agency. These donations happen all year long and show how community support makes the difference in our agency's ability to provide our services.
Each month, one couple donates shampoo, conditioner, and other household products to our food pantry. For the Thanksgiving/Holiday season this year, they decided to go one step further. They put together “Thinking of You” bags that contained small, thoughtful items such as hot cocoa packets with a mug, warm socks for the winter, a cozy sweatshirt, etc. for folks who are alone this holiday season or alone throughout the year. It’s amazing to be able to brighten someone’s day with one small gesture. If you put many small gestures together, you can create a strong community!
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Welcome Garrett Rose, BCAP’s Newest Staff Addition!
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Boulder County AIDS Project is excited to introduce you to our newest staff member, Garrett Rose. Garrett is a Colorado native and a recent graduate of CU Boulder with degrees in English Literature and Women and Gender Studies, as well as a certificate in LGBTQ studies. While at CU, Garrett interned in BCAP’s Prevention Department, focusing on HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) Testing and Counseling Services and the Atlas Prevention Program. As a volunteer at BCAP, he also served on the agency’s Inclusiveness Committee and has volunteered at numerous agency and outreach events.
Garrett serves as BCAP's HCV Prevention and Atlas Program Coordinator. He is skilled in outreach education, testing and counseling, and community building. He is excited to help expand BCAP’s prevention services!
BCAP’s Prevention Department is excited to now feature three full-time staff members. Welcome Garrett!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Uğur Kocataşkın
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By Sarah Annecone
Uğur Kocataşkın is an associate professor of Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology in the Master’s program of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Naropa. He volunteers with BCAP as a pro bono psychotherapist, meeting monthly with the five staff in BCAP’s Care Services department. The primary question which most informs his work with them is “How can I help group members support each other in community?”
Since starting this role in October 2015, he has established a strong rapport with the team. Uğur says “BCAP’s Care Services staff work from a place of deep compassion and caring and know what to do in even the most challenging situations. In our time together, they hopefully can relax and grow into a sense of community around what doing their work brings up for them individually and as a group. I truly enjoy this role where we share what is on people’s minds and in their hearts. It seems to be a good match of my skills and the needs of the team.”
According to BCAP’s Care Services Director, Celeste LeBlanc, “Every month the care services team so looks forward to our visit with Uğur. He provides much needed perspective and warmth, combined with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the kind of work we do, and the clients we serve. His spontaneous generosity is heartening, and provides some much appreciated ‘care for the caregivers.’ We can’t thank Uğur enough for his presence, his heart and his excellent sense of humor.”
Uğur is especially interested in the intersectionality of people’s social identities. Another key question guiding his work is “In what ways are the ‘isms’ (racism, sexism, classism etc.) at play in our work?” Working on a doctoral degree on this topic leaves him little time for play, but Uğur loves to swim and snowboard, and also maintains a steady meditation practice.
In his private practice, Uğur works largely with couples and groups, including sero-discordant couples, families of people living with HIV and people living with other life-long diagnoses including lupus, diabetes, and cancer. Having migrated from Turkey himself, Uğur also has an affinity for immigrant clients as well as people who are LGBTQ. Another specialty is grief and loss. Uğur is accepting new clients in his private practice and can be reached at 303-520-7233.
Thank you Uğur for the time and skills you give to BCAP’s staff, from your heart.
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Gratitude
This month Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) has so many wonderful people to be grateful for! A big 'thank you' to our fabulous BCAP volunteers who participated in this year's KBCO CD Sale!
Click
HERE to view more photos from some of our Whole Foods locations.
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We would also like to express our deep appreciation to Sandra Wong, Bill Douglas, Elle Wells, Caitlin Strickland, Resonance Women's Chorus, and Sue Coffee, for bringing the community together with music and song in recognition of World AIDS Day.
Click
HERE to view more photos from this year's meaningful World AIDS Day Concert.
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Happy Holidays from BCAP, see you in 2018!
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Boulder County AIDS Project | (303)444-6121 |
bcap.org
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