Hope
for `97? Going back to the end of last October, the Texas Department of Health released its 1996-1997 edition of the Texas HIV/STD Community Resource
Directory. The guide lists and cross-references the myriad public and
non-profit AIDS service organizations across the Lone Star State — which means
it is of epic proportions. The annual directory was released on the heels of
news regarding further evidence that current exploration in drug therapy is
heading in the right direction.
Mid-1996’s news that the combinations of medicines, including the new
protease inhibitors, have been proven to decrease levels of HIV in the
bloodstream caused shockwaves of hope. Further news in early November seemed to
indicate that this combo or “cocktail” of drug therapy is also driving down
virus levels in lymph tissue — a critical test of any potential lasting cure.
It is with perhaps an appropriately cautious optimism that this news is
received. The research and drug industries are still that — industries — and
as such, are driven by profit and politic: two fickle motivators we have
learned on which not to hang our hopes.
No, the real hope still lies within all of us and within our volunteer care
communities and within those brilliant scientists motivated by things other
than stock options. Let’s hope the news in 1997 continues to brighten.
Meanwhile, if your organization might utilize the fine chunk of info compiled
by the State of Texas, do call for your free copy. 490-2505. Kwanzaa `96 The Capital City Chamber of Commerce has announced that our
African-American community is sponsoring its first annual city-wide Kwanzaa
Celebration. Community groups host events on the seven days and in the
seven themes (or principles) of Kwanzaa, including:
*Umoja (Unity),
Thu, Dec 26, Rosewood Recreation Center,
499-6759
*Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Fri, Dec 27,
Doris Miller Auditorium, 499-8713
*Ujima (Collective Work
& Responsibility), Sat, Dec 28, St. John Center,
302-4867
*Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Sun, Dec 29,
Rosewood Rec Center, 459-1181 or 707-3207
*Nia (Purpose), Mon,
Dec 30, Doris Miller Auditorium, 478-7176
*Kuumba (Creativity), Tue, Dec 31, Arthur B. Dewitty Center,
873-0595
*Imani (Faith), Wed, Jan 1, 1997, Rosewood Rec
Center, 929-0933. Our Hope for `97 The market for volunteer hours and donation dollars can be a fierce racket in
a town as wrapped up in care services as Austin. Massive service groups compete
for the same dollars for which teeny grassrooters scramble. How can a group
insure that its fiscal reality will meet its material demand?
No wonder nonprofits get lost in the fever pitch of free enterprise and
capitalist competitiveness. Those bucks are precious and the causes just, so
who can blame them for becoming business-like… hell, even ruthless in their
approach?
Lest we forget, the demand for such services and alternate flow of community
cash is a direct response to the howling canyons of need strip-mined by our
success-happy society. If we had adequate structures and services in
place to take care of our own, these frenzied calls to action and pleas for
cash would be less desparate, and fewer organizations would feel the need to
achieve their goals by any means necessary. What the hell does that say about
us as a community?
When our primary caregivers must take on the callous bottomline tactics of
CEOs and stockbrokers, we are in big trouble. Sure, corporations and big biz
have always thrown piles of dough to certain organizations and causes — and we
want their goddamned money — but what’s the motivation? Tax cut? Public
relations? Guilt?
For 1997, we wish for the directors and coordinators of our public service
community to look deep inside to find answers for those questions. And to take
a deep breath and look around. Appreciate the flanks who further your
organizations’ goal:
* Those front-line volunteers who carry out your groups’ mission;
* Those
founding members whose idealism and sweat provided a job and calling for
you;
* Those donators who tithe ’til it hurts, not just to make themselves
feel better.
We wish for all volunteers to realize your contributions to our society and
understand the symbiotic nature of your work — that without your time and
love, we’d all be sunk. Any corporation which donates millions demands
accountability, so should each individual who gives something even more
precious — from the heart.
The warmest of holiday wishes to you and yours from all of us here at
“Public Notice”.
This article appears in December 27 • 1996 and December 27 • 1996 (Cover).