By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-970630.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Their mission is important but budgets are in jeopardy, so several groups that focus on HIV awareness are joining forces.
Mark Royse is executive director of AIDS Volunteers of Lexington, one of the partner organizations in the newly-formed HIV Community Coalition.
"If we can all collaborate and sort of partner everyone's strengths together, we can cover a larger area more effectively and more efficiently and make the best use of everybody's resources."
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is also involved, along with the Hope Center, Volunteers of America, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services. Sarah Alleyne is the health department's HIV program coordinator.
"We don't want HIV to become forefront on your mind because you've been diagnosed with it. We'd rather get it out there so that maybe we can get some prevention and education and awareness out there before you have to deal with it."
The HIV Community Coalition plans to establish social networking sites and a single phone number that could be a point of contact for people interested in HIV testing and support.