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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jewell Williams
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Williams launches HIV and AIDS Education Commission
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Jewell Williams, D-Phila., has established a HIV and AIDS Education Commission that will coordinate programs, conferences and seminars within his legislative district.
Williams said he created the commission to address the continued prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the United States. He explained that the commission is comprised of medical and non-medical professionals, including children, adults and senior citizens.
"I don't believe enough people are talking about one of the preeminent diseases of our time, and I want to change that through education, outreach and compassion," Williams said. "You may not know anyone suffering from AIDS or HIV, but they are out there, and they need our support. I am creating this commission with the hope that one day, there will be a cure. But right now, we need to start through better awareness."
Williams said the commission was announced at a Health Information Day held Saturday. The event was sponsored by Hope, Inspiration and Vision through Advocacy, Information, Dissemination and Support, an organization that is helping to launch the new commission. Presenters from the city of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, along with several other health-care agencies, attended the Saturday event.
"I believe outreach and education is an important part of understanding any issue, whether it is college financial aid, senior citizen needs, or finding employment," Williams said. "Those are the bread-and-butter issues that create a successful and safe community, and I have worked very hard within my district on those matters. I believe this commission will address yet another important societal issue.
"The conversation about HIV and AIDS is no longer as prevalent as it used to be. My commission will reach out to people of all ages to put awareness of these diseases back into their minds," Williams said. "Saturday was the beginning of a very important effort to increase education and awareness about HIV and AIDS."
Williams said that more than 10,000 Philadelphia residents are living with AIDS. Minority communities and areas of concentrated poverty are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS, he added.
"We are excited by the challenge set before us," Rev. Suzanne Harmon, a commission member and project director of Hope, Inspiration and Vision through Advocacy, Information, Dissemination and Support, said. "Our mission is to promote health literacy, and improve lives and the overall health of communities by educating about HIV and AIDS."
The commission’s efforts have already addressed the Philadelphia Block Captains’ Network and several senior citizen outreach programs. Williams said the commission will now target an education campaign among youth and young adults.
"We thank Representative Williams for his boldness and consistent support for this project," Joan Gandy, a commission member, said.
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