Support Groups :: Matthew 25 AIDS Services

HIV changes rapidly. So, a drug that works on one form quickly stops working. This is why finding a cure for HIV is so hard.

NEWSLETTER

Runway Red Tickets On Sale Now!

Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc. plans to pack the Community Baptist Church auditorium on Saturday March 17 from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, when the nonprofit organization stages its fifth annual charity fashion show and lunch, Runway Red. Tickets are on sale now! Visit our event page for more information and to purchase tickets.

View this link to President Obama's National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

February 7^th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and we are honoring this day by encouraging HIV testing during the entire month of February. Did you know that when looking at HIV/AIDS statistics by race and ethnicity alone, African Americans are disproportionately affected by this disease than any other? African Americans make up 14% of the US population and account for 44% of all new HIV infections and 46% of all people living with HIV. African Americans accounted for 57% of all HIV-related deaths in 2006. We can make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS! Know your status! Get an HIV test today!

Get Educated! Get Tested! Get Involved! Get Treated!

We are offering FREE HIV testing (no needles – we use an oral swab) with results in 20 minutes at several area locations more....

Matthew 25 is a proud partner of Until There's A Cure. By shopping at Until There's A Cure and selecting Matthew 25 as the beneficiary, we will receive 25% of your purchase price. We also have UTAC items available at our Henderson Clinic. They can be purchased by stopping by during regular business hours.

Services : Support Groups

“Chance occurrences have caused our paths to meet. Destiny has joined our hearts and made our life complete.
We pledge to be loyal and respect each other with trust and confidentiality.”

Henderson

When: 3rd Friday Monthly Where: 452 Old Corydon Road Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm CST

Bowling Green - The Alive Center

When: 2nd Thursday Monthly Where: 1818 US-31 Bypass Time: 3:30-5:00pm CST

Elizabethtown - Health Department

When: 3rd Wednesday Monthly Where: 108 New Glendale Road Time: 4:30-5:30pm EST

What is a Peer Support Group
A peer support group consists of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and a trained facilitator. The group meets once every month at a regular time. The group meets to discuss issues affecting their lives and their concerns, in a non-threatening, nonjudgmental environment. It is a forum to take back control over their lives and reduce feelings of isolation through the shared experiences of others.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality is of paramount importance. We must always keep confidentiality in mind. This is seen as an important value in the groups. It needs to be respected so that everyone feels comfortable. Group members are asked to commit to never talk about what goes on in the group in a way that may reveal the identity of a group member.

Objectives
Provide a safe place to express feelings (of sadness, fear, guilt, anger, loneliness etc.), discuss topics such as sex issues, disclosure, work/employment, treatment and medical issues etc. The members of the group decide on ground rules, discussion topics and invite guest speakers. To explore quality of life options how others deal and live with HIV. Find practical ways to live day by day with the virus. Establish support networks for group members.

Guidelines for Support Group
Be on time for each meeting. This is courtesy to others in the group. The meetings will start on time each week. Attend every week if possible. Regular attendance is important to maintain group solidarity. The group is not the same if you are not there for the meeting. Maintain Confidentiality.

Important Information
The group is led by the Facilitator provided by Matthew 25. All members are HIV positive/affected and are there to support one another in a nonjudgmental environment. Our groups are a safe space for people to simply be themselves. Groups are a golden opportunity to meet others who are HIV positive and share experiences that can help break down the feeling of isolation.

Peer facilitators have the opportunity to provide topics, information, speakers, presentations, etc. upon request for any group. If someone would like to Peer Facilitate a group, please have your materials, presentations, information, topics, etc. to Matthew 25 at least one week prior to the date of the group meeting so that we may assist with any copying, tailoring, or providing any additional information that Peer Facilitator may need.

How To Join A Group
Simply ring and ask one of the Matthew 25 facilitators, to put your name down on the list for the next available Peer Support Group. They will be available to answer any questions you may have concerning Peer Support Groups. For information on the next available Peer Support Group call Matthew 25: (270) 826-0200 or (866) 607-6590.

To me, celebrity doesn't mean a whole lot unless you're willing to use it. So I wanted to use it in a different way, with my AIDS work, the human rights stuff for the gay and lesbian community and the speaking I do.

--- Judith Light, Actress