In honor of the 23rd National HIV Testing Day, Men & Women in Prison Ministries (MWIPM) will launch the “Stigma Stops with Me” campaign, on Chicago’s west side at Sankofa Cultural Arts Center -located at 5820 W. Chicago Ave. A press conference with State Representatives Juliana Stratton, LaShawn K. Ford, and Camille Y. Lilly will kick off the campaign at 9:30am. After the Press Conference MWIPM will host a west side family friendly party from 10-2pm. The event is free and will have giveaways, hotdogs, face painting, spoken word, and music -provided by Chicago’s OJ Moe.
For many years, stigma has been a barrier to ending the HIV epidemic. Event speakers will share personal stories on how stigma -connected to incarceration and HIV, continues to fuel the HIV epidemic in the African American community. Come to Sankofa, have fun, get free testing for HIV/HCV, and become a “Stigma Buster.” Together we can Stop Stigma and end the HIV epidemic in communities of color.
Men & Women in Prison Ministries (MWIPM) has provided free supportive services and healthcare advocacy for citizens engaged with the criminal justice system for over 35 years.
Over the past eight years, as diseases have disproportionately affected minority communities, Health promotion services are delivered on the south side of Chicago at 1 0 West 35th Street, Monday -Thursday 9am -3pm. Social and Economic Recovery services include Identification Restoration – for individuals released from a correctional facility within the past 12 months, and Family Support Groups. Health & Wellness services include HIV/HCV testing and Medical Case Management. This year MWIPM expanded services to Chicago’s west side, offering free Identification Restoration and HIV/HCV testing. Services are provided on the 2nd and 3rd Friday of every month 10-2 p.m., at Sankofa Cultural Arts Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago.
773-626-4497. #stigmastopswithme www.mwipm.com.