Mayor Bloomberg has proposed further budget cuts of $4 million, which would directly effect New York’s HIV/AIDS population. These cuts would eliminate 248 HASA case worker positions through 2011. This would make it even more difficult for HASA clients to access public benefits, and could lead to an even greater homeless population.

Almost 45,000 low-income New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS and their families depend on HASA case workers to gain housing and services. Case workers help clients not only find housing, but they also help provide access to healthcare. Supportive housing provides stability to those who may otherwise engage in risky behavior, thus reducing new infection rates and also helping people live longer and more productive lives.

These proposed cuts would be in addition to the $4 million city/statewide Scatter Site II program elimination in 2009.

It’s not too late to voice your concern over these newly announced further budget cuts. Please contact your City Council Member through the Council switchboard at (212) 788-7100 or visit www.council.nyc.gov.

On 4 December 2009, Praxis held its 4th Annual World AIDS Day Event at the Wilson Major Morris Community Center.  It was an evening full of sharing- through spoken word, music, and dance.

Staff and residents displayed overwhelming talent and we were lucky enough to get it all on tape.

To view the latest videos, check out the Media section of our website.  And thank you to all who volunteered their time and resources to make the night so memorable.

In what might be our last tip from guest blogger Ian (who is going back to the UK in February), the Brooklyn Public Library is offering free CPR training.

On Wednesday 10 February 2010 and Wednesday 31 March 2010, the FDNY will be holding free CPR training at the Brooklyn Public Library. These classes are not for certification, but could help save lives.

To reserve a spot in the training, please call (718) 230-2477.

Praxis resident and guest blogger Ian has passed along some information regarding upcoming free workshops at the Brooklyn Public Library.

On Saturday, 23 January from 1:30-4:00pm, Sexually Transmitted Infections will be the subject at this interactive workshop.  The workshop will discuss risky behaviors, signs and symptoms, treatment, and risk reduction techniques.

Part two of this workshop takes place on 30 January from 1:30-4:00pm.  It’s entitled Communications and Sexuality.  This workshop will focus on how to talk about sex with partners, family, friends, doctors, etc.

Both workshops are free to the public and take place in the Trustees’ Room at the Central Library located at 10 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

Thanks to Ian for the info!

Recently, the city of New York’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene printed about 70,000 copies of the Take Charge Take Care guide which offers information on how to prepare drugs carefully and how to care for veins in order to avoid infection.

Many bloggers and politicians are up in arms over this booklet, saying it’s ‘a step-by-step instruction on how to inject poison’.

However, countless studies have proven again and again that harm reduction not only saves lives but it also prevents the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.  Simply ignoring those who inject drugs does not mean the issue goes away.  If anything, remaining in the dark about safety leads to higher infection rates.  That is a fact.

Assistant Commissioner Daliah Heller says instructions on how to perform injections were included in the information because there’s “a less harmful way to inject.”

The illustrated guidebook offers information on HIV testing and the dangers of sharing needles.

It’s amazing how much outrage can be found over 70,000 copies of a booklet distributed in New York City in which the goal is to save lives.