Mission: The Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry, inspired by faith, collaborates with community resources to empower and affirm adults and children touched by HIV/AIDS.

Major Services: The Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry consists of the following programs

·         Patient advocacy, support groups and general support services

·         The Guardian Angel Café, a dinner/social event for the HIV community and their guests, where an average of 130 people are served each month

·         Angela’s Place, a non-food pantry of household items and personal supplies distributed to an average of 55 individuals and families each month

·         A food pantry, from which is distributed approximately 180 bags of food each month

·         The Comprehensive Care Center, an adult and pediatric HIV clinic and service center providing HIV and related health care and both medical and psycho-social support services to 270 patients

·         Child and Family Services, primarily located at Casa Madre

Proceeds of this raffle will support Casa Madre as described below.

Each year we serve approximately 50 children who are either infected with HIV or affected by the HIV/AIDS of a parent and/or sibling; more than half of these children themselves live with one or more disabilities.  Our services fall into several categories: therapeutic/medical, educational, social/recreational, and advocacy.  We currently provide the following:

·         Monthly play support group open to all of our children, planned and run by qualified staff and volunteers to meet the children’s emotional and social needs

·         Weekly tutoring/meal/recreation session for school-aged children, additional tutoring as needed, and periodic educational programs and activities

·         Large group, small group and individual-child social/recreational outings

·         Summer program for school age children consisting of enrichment, recreation, outings, nutritious meals, and one-on-one attention at Casa Madre

·         Year-round leadership and life skills training for pre-teens and teens consisting of such elements as conflict management, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, first aid, community service, and planning/leading programs for younger children

·         Individual, family and group counseling referrals as recommended by program staff parents, guardians and/or teachers; skill-building support for parents and guardians

·         Referrals for developmental, academic and/or medical testing, and specialty medical care for HIV-positive children

·         HIV-specific services such as counseling, medical education, patient care training, and treatment adherence interventions for HIV-positive children and their families

·         Regular contact with children through programs, telephone calls, newsletters and home visits, as well as contact with parents/guardians, teachers and health care givers

·         Advocacy, intervention and assistance in situations concerning housing, education, social services, and physical health and well-being, as the children’s needs arise

·         Material assistance such as school clothing, shoes and school supplies

·         Transportation to and from ministry programs