Wednesday, November 25, 2009

COMPASS DISPLAYS 5th LARGEST SECTION OF AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT IN THE UNITED STATES

National and local initiatives partner to create HIV prevention message for World AIDS Day

LAKE WORTH, FL – In recognition of World AIDS Day, the NAMES Project and Compass have once again joined together to display the largest collection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Florida at Compass’ new home in downtown Lake Worth. This year, the display has been extended to include an array of events starting November 30th and culminating with a very special room dedication ceremony and Quilt closing ceremony December 12th. The AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded in 1987, is the largest piece of community folk art in the world, a 54-ton collage affixed with the names of 91,000 victims of AIDS.

Compass will host a candlelight vigil with a Quilt Induction ceremony November 30th at 6pm and have the 256 panels on display thru December 12th. Palm Beach County Department of Health Director, United Deliverance Executive Director, Treasure Coast Health Council Executive Director and Newly appointed Lake Worth Mayor will be among other local community leader to participate in Compass’ annual Calling of Names on November 30th. Other events include a Youth Education Day, Wellness Empowerment Luncheons, Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition presentation and an Interfaith service; for complete list please go to compassglcc.com.

“Compass is always looking for opportunities to work closer with national and local initiatives to provide Palm Beach County with resources needed to educate our residents about HIV and how to live a stronger and healthier life,” said Tony Plakas, Compass’ CEO. “The AIDS Memorial Quilt is one of the strongest tools in raising awareness and helpings cope with the loss of loved ones.”

The quilt panels on display will include a panel for youth called “Children Around the World”, a Compass HOPE Youth group panel, Connors Nursery Block and Sandpiper Shores Elementary School block. Compass is expecting group visits from local Gay-Straight- Alliances as well as groups from organizations like Pace Center for girls.

­ “Palm Beach County ranks in the nation’s top 10 counties for people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Eric Miller, Compass’ HIV Prevention and Testing Coordinator and the southeast regional director of the NAMES Project. “By joining together locally to promote awareness about AIDS, we can make a global impact in the effort to end AIDS.”

Compass was founded as The Stop AIDS Project in 1988 and has provided HIV prevention since. World AIDS Day at Compass sponsors include Wal-Mart, Gilead, Walgreens, Commcare, EMD Serono, Tibotec, Canthus Inc, H.G. Roosters and Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition. Compass is located at 201 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, FL 33460, for more information, call (561) 533-9699.

Nearly 33.4 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS. The UNAIDS has estimated that approximately 2.7 million have been infected with HIV in 2008 and the CDC reports that there are over one million Americans living with HIV/AIDS of which a quarter of those do not know that they are infected.

CUTLINE:

In recognition of World AIDS Day, the NAMES Project and Compass have once again joined together to display the largest collection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Florida at Compass’ new home in downtown Lake Worth. This year, the display has been extended to include an array of events starting November 30th and culminating with a very special room dedication ceremony and Quilt closing ceremony December 12th. For more info, call 561-533-9699 or visit www.compassglcc.com/wad2009.jpg.

ABOUT COMPASS:

Compass is the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community center in the Southeast United States. Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing. As good neighbors, effective partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community.