In RAIN’s ongoing commitment to end HIV and uplift affected communities, I would like to share some key considerations guiding our organization's leadership. As RAIN’s CEO, there are numerous factors demanding our attention and thoughtfulness as we strive to make a lasting impact.
RAIN is committed to tailoring our programs, efforts, and funding to our local realities. The Mecklenburg County area is diverse and vibrant, necessitating a deep understanding of the unique challenges, specifically faced by our communities of color and the LGBTQ+ neighbors. Our programs must be meticulously designed to address these specific needs, ensuring that our efforts are both relevant and effective.
Building strong community relationships is vital to the success of RAIN’s mission. By forging partnerships with local healthcare providers, advocacy groups, stakeholders, the County Health Department, and other non-profits doing work that is synergized to RAIN’s work, we create a united front and safe space to address HIV and the social determinants impacting HIV rates. Listening to the voices of those we serve strengthens our approach and fosters a sense of shared purpose.
Awareness and education campaigns play a pivotal role in eradicating stigma and preventing new infections. We must be vigilant in crafting culturally sensitive messages that resonate with our communities, spreading knowledge and promoting open dialogue. As technology evolves, we embrace new tools and platforms to expand our outreach and amplify our message. By harnessing the power of innovation, we can make a greater impact on the lives of those impacted by HIV.
RAIN is committed to developing sustainable funding strategies through data-driven information. A diverse and reliable funding stream is essential to our mission. We embrace creative fundraising methods, form strategic partnerships, and nurture relationships with donors, to ensure the resources needed to continue our vital work. To measure and improve RAIN’s effectiveness, we emphasize rigorous data collection and evaluation.
Our staff is the backbone of what we are able to accomplish. Cultivating an inclusive culture allows our organization to thrive because our staff, board members, and volunteers are empowered, engaged, and reflective of the communities we serve. Fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment is paramount to achieving our collective goals.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. Together, we are charting a path towards a future free from the burden of HIV/AIDS.
With gratitude,
Chelsea Gulden
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Chelsea Gulden
President and CEO
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National Grief Awareness Day |
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Jay Hayes
Bilingual Mental Health Therapist
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| On August 30, our nation celebrates National Grief Awareness Day. To highlight the different ways that people can cope with grief and loss.
When we think about loss, we often think about death. But there are so many different ways that grief and loss happen. For example, it may result from leaving something we once enjoyed for something better. Or, it could arise from a past time that we appreciated, though life has changed. It could be over a friendship that once existed, and as a result of life, time, and space, the relationship is no longer as close as it once was.
Sadness is the most common emotion for grief and loss. This communicates that we’ve lost something or someone important to us.
When grief arises, three ways to cope with it are:
Give yourself permission to feel. Grief happens when we lose something we value. Being sad makes sense.
Celebrate the memories. While grief points to the depth of a relationship, joy points to a relationship and all the wide smiles it included. Balance the grief by reconnecting with another joyful aspect of what was lost.
Prepare for other grief. It’s possible that being reminded of one thing lost may lead to remembering other losses.
Grief reminds us of the valued moments that we’ve experienced. It’s nothing to avoid, but instead, a sweet opportunity to celebrate the meaningful moments we’ve had.
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YOU can do more than just wear a red ribbon on World AIDS Day!
World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st each year. It is a worldwide effort to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for persons living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related diagnosis. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity for the millions of people living with HIV worldwide and the thousands affected here locally.
Our World AIDS Day Luncheon will be held on December 1st at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte. The program includes a speaker testimonial from a person touched by RAIN and an inspiring video about RAIN’s efforts to end HIV in our community.
Be A Table Host for RAIN’s 2023 World AIDS Day Luncheon! As a Table Host, you are showing your compassion for people affected by HIV and your support for the difference that RAIN is making in our community. $500 secures a table with ten seats. To learn more about becoming a Table Host, please get in touch with Joyce Brooks at 704-973-9819.
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| Joyce Brooks
Grant & Donor Relations Manager
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Welcoming New Staff Members |
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Brayan Salazar Marin
Biingual HIP Navigator
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My role at RAIN is Bilingual HIP Navigator. As HIP Navigator, I participate in community outreach and programs at The Drop. I attend community events to conduct testing and HIV/STI prevention education. I was born in Mexico City and grew up in Gastonia, NC. What led me to RAIN was my desire to help destigmatize and spread knowledge, especially within the LatinX community.
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My name is Lauryn Banks, and I am the new Retention Specialist here at RAIN. My goal is to focus on sexual health and education for HIV/AIDS and to help create space for transwomen in the community. RAIN is an outstanding organization that the Charlotte community can come to for free testing and monthly group meetings for an encouraging outlook on what it means to be HIV positive. My role is to help clients navigate challenging roads blocks, such as food insecurity, housing, and mental health, with the support of RAIN's services and other community resources.
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| Lauryn Banks
Retention Specialist
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John Gray
HIP Safe Space Coordinator
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As the HIP Safe Space Coordinator, I facilitate the day-to-day operations at The Drop and programs like our Level Up Career Development Series. Also, tracking and logging any data that pertains to reporting for CDC.
I’m a proud graduate of the illustrious North Carolina Central University (NCCU). EAGLE PRIDE!!! I attained my B.S. and M.S. from NCCU. My favorite part of life is being able to explore the world. I have reached five of the seven continents, with Africa being my most recent visit and Australia being my favorite. I applied for RAIN because I wanted to be a part of something great, something bigger than me, an organization that is making a difference primarily in a community I call home.
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I am the Development Specialist here at RAIN. My role focuses on marketing, volunteer management, and event planning. The highlight of my role is probably taking over the planning of AIDS WALK starting in 2024! In addition to AIDS WALK, I create content for and manage the RAIN social media pages, recruit for and coordinate volunteer opportunities, and provide support for other RAIN events.
I attended The University of North Carolina at Charlotte for undergraduate and graduate school. I have a B.S. in Health Systems Management and a Master's in Public Health. I have always been passionate able sexual and LGBTQ health, so I am very excited to be in a role that incorporates both my passion and my education!
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| Savannah Lawing
Development Specialist
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Kevin Garcia-Sanchez
Bilingual HIP Peer Support Specialist
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I am a Peer Support Specialist here at RAIN. I coordinate outreach opportunities and testing on-site at The Drop and off-site in the community. I also assist HIV-positive persons in navigating other health-related care and essential support services.
I heard about RAIN through Brayan, and I was hooked right away! I’ve always loved helping people, and this was perfect because I get to help a community that I am a part of, which is being a Latino in the LGBTQ+ community. I grew up here in Charlotte, and I am a very family-oriented person. I also really love to travel!
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The Drop: Staff Highlight |
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My name is Devin Cokley, and I have been working in this field for two years, both of those years with RAIN. I am the Program Manager for RAIN’s new drop-in center, “The Drop.” Before this journey, I studied business management at Howard University, where I played D1 tennis. My goal has been to work at a place where I can progress professionally and personally. I’ve found that through RAIN! I consider myself a community leader and an advocate for all who don’t or can’t have a voice. Some of my extracurricular activities include ALL sports and graphic design.
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| Devin Cokley
HIP Program Manager
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RAIN is grateful to Atrium Health for sponsoring AIDS WALK Charlotte in May and the upcoming World AIDS Day Luncheon on December 1. The support of Atrium Health helped AIDS WALK raise over $200,000 toward our work to empower individuals to be healthy and stigma free.
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601 E. 5th Street, Suite 470
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 372-7246
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601 E. 5th Street Suite 470 | Charlotte, NC 28202 US
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