May 2023: RAINDrops E-News
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AIDS WALK Charlotte 2023 Is an Outstanding Success |
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Joyce Brooks
Grant and Donor Relations Manager
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| Thanks to you and the Charlotte community, the 2023 AIDS WALK was a tremendous success!
Your donations raised over $202,000 – well over our goal of $175,000!
RAIN is grateful to the community for this outpouring of support. It shows that Charlotte is a compassionate community – one that does not leave anyone in need behind. The funds raised at AIDS WALK 2023 provide programs for our neighbors living with HIV and those at risk locally. Services like mental health counseling, HIV and STD testing and linkage to medical care, PrEP, and access to housing, food, transportation, and substance use treatment are as important now as ever. Advocacy efforts for health care for all are also essential today. With your support, RAIN will continue to be at the forefront of HIV-related healthcare and help receive compassionate care and support.
Thank YOU!
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Enhancing wellness through Affirming Services and Education (EASE)
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EASE is a harm reduction program federally funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). RAIN partners with Mecklenburg County to provide outpatient individual and group wellness, mental health services, and substance use counseling provided by licensed counselors, trained case managers, and peer specialists. Participants can work with case managers to assist with needs such as housing, finances, and linkage to medical care. These services are free and available in-person or virtually. To further promote positive health outcomes, RAIN provides testing for STIs/HIV/Hepatitis C and works with clients to address all barriers (i.e., transportation, housing, nutrition, etc.).
EASE uses a harm reduction model that does not require participants to stop using entirely, instead provides education and materials to reduce negative outcomes associated with substance use. EASE works with individuals to stop substance use at their own pace and allows them to make decisions based on what they feel they are capable of. To qualify for EASE services, individuals must be at least 18 years old, live in Mecklenburg or surrounding counties, have used alcohol or drugs in the last 90 days, and be either living with HIV or identify as LGBTQ+.
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For any questions please contact e.jamison@carolinarain.org
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Erick Jamison
Peer Outreach Specialist
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The Importance of YOUR Donation |
The Importance of YOUR Donation |
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Joyce Brooks
Grant and Donor Relations Manager
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Did you know that individual donors make a HUGE impact at RAIN? Nonprofits require many funding streams. These include federal and local government, corporate giving, and private foundations. These contributions and grants are essential because they bring large chunks of revenue into the organization. However, they are no more important than your donation!
Here's why: grants are typically awarded for specific programs. They fund things like Medical Case Management, the Empowering Positive Youth (EPY) program, and HIV testing. They are not flexible; the budget rarely allows for general operating expenses. They cannot be used for basic needs of the agency, like paying administrative staff salaries or issues that may suddenly arise, like a leaky roof at The Drop. These needs are vital to RAIN's ability to provide programs and services.
When you donate to RAIN, join the RAIN Society (monthly giving), or contribute through your employer gift matching program, you provide resources that RAIN can use to cover expenses that grants do not. We work hard to ensure that your gifts are used wisely. RAIN's 2022 audit showed that 94% go directly towards programs and services. That means that only 6% of the total revenue was used for administrative and fundraising expenses. This was well under the national average of 15-25%, with under 15% being the gold standard.
So, thank you! Thank you for being so supportive of RAIN and making what we do possible. If you are interested in learning more about the ways to give, click the links below.
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Free Full Panel STI/HIV Testing
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As of 2023, RAIN’s Uptown Office and The Drop provide free full-panel STI/HIV testing. Testing can be done for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea/Chlamydia, and Hepatitis C. Some test results take as little as 1 minute. The Drop provides a welcoming environment where individuals can receive services quickly and discreetly. We also provide same-day linkage to care and treatment to those in need. To add to the excitement – every person tested before July 15, 2023 will be entered to win two ground-level Beyoncé tickets to her Charlotte show in August! Those living with HIV are also eligible for entry. The RAIN office and The Drop happily accept both walk-ins and appointments for testing, general HIV counseling, HIV education, condoms/lube, and PrEP referrals.
The Drop is open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Thursday 9 am-7 pm, and Saturday from 11 am-3 pm. It is located in East Charlotte at 5114 Monroe Road. There is onsite parking and accessible by bus route 27.
RAIN’s office is located in uptown at 601 E. 5th Street, Suite 470 and is open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm and Wednesday until 7 pm. The office is only 3 blocks from the Transportation Station.
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Contact Devin at (704)-207-6151 for more information.
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Devin Cokley
HIP Program Manager
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We would like to give a special thanks to Ally Bank for being a supporter of RAIN. For more than a decade, Ally, its’ Foundation, and its employees have supported our events, programs, and services for individuals with HIV and those who are at risk.
Thank you Ally!
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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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