By-Tyrha M. Lindsey, Director of Public Relations for UniWorld Group, Board Member for Iris House

April is National Minority Health Month.  The month was created by the Office of Minority Health.  The theme for this year’s month is Health Equity Can’t Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY!  This call to action is to unify regions, the state and local offices of minority health, the health departments and all the organizations and partners involved and invested in reducing health disparities.

As a Board Member of Iris House, I am tremendously proud of the work that Iris House does every day to reduce health disparities for women of color and their families dealing with HIV/AIDS as well as empowering women every day to live their best lives for themselves and their families. 

Having worked as a public relations/marketing executive for the past 12 years in multicultural health marketing, I continue to be alarmed at the health statistics plaguing our community.  Many in multicultural communities over index negatively regarding preventable diseases and are simply dying too soon from heart disease, diabetes, obesity and HIV/AIDS, to name a few.  Through my travels across the U.S. and around the world, I am convinced that is does not matter if you are educated or not, middle to upper class or not, nor ”exposed” or not. We are all unaware when it comes to having the discipline to take better care of our health.  Furthermore, as women of color, we control more than 62% of the healthcare decisions for our families as well as control more than 75% of every discretionary dollar of household income.  It is so incredibly obvious that women influence our families’ behavior.  Hence, when we feel good and are healthy, it reflects in the quality of life for our families and our communities as a whole.

Therefore, I urge everyone this month to celebrate National Minority Health Month and “be the change that you seek.”  Take on a new healthy habit, learn something new about your health and perhaps even make appointments to see your doctors for your annual check-ups.  Prevention is the key. All of us can be the ”change” and a shining example for others in our lives. 

Finally, mark your calendar of Iris House’s 7th Annual Summit.  By attending, you will be greatly educated on HIV/AIDS as well as empowered to make better health choices in your life.  Knowledge is power.

It’s our human right to live our best lives.  Iris House works every day to help all in our community achieve this goal.  At the end of the day, we are our brothers and sisters keepers.  Are you ready for a change?

By-Tyrha M. Lindsey, Director of Public Relations for UniWorld Group, Board Member for Iris House

Being optimistic is a difficult milestone to achieve for many individuals. People struggle day to day to find their purpose in this world. Those who have not been able to successfully do so may find themselves roaming without a destination. How do you know what your purpose is? Well, the answer to this question has nothing to do with economic gain or material possessions. Everyone has a distinct purpose in this world.  You know what your purpose is because you feel most yourself when you’re in that space. Your sense of intention connects with your actions and you feel complete.

Many people are consumed by occupations that pay large salaries. With a large pay check comes a lavish life. However, many people do not feel as if their true potential is being achieved because they recognize that their purpose is not in their occupation.

By finding your purpose and choosing to thrive within your own truth, your success can manifest by thriving in your  job, finances, your relationships and  the manner in which you view your existence on this earth.

A person’s purpose may become sidetracked by illness or other circumstances that sometimes is beyond your control. At Iris House, we recognize that physical and emotional health is necessary to a purposeful path. It is crucial that all measures be taken to promote health and well being. For those individuals infected with HIV/AIDS adhering to treatment options and/or medication compliance is essential. Iris House conducts groups and individual sessions to clients who sometimes may have difficulty adhering to medication compliance due personal resistance or denial.

Accepting your truth and taking adequate measures are essential to finding your true self. HIV/AIDS should not rob an individual of their purpose.  Iris House provides a safe haven for our clients to address and resolve issues that will result in overall health and finding their true purpose.  

George Hernandez, Director of Behavioral Health, Iris House

15 years ago, I embarked on a journey from East Los Angeles to New York City. El Barrio/Harlem became my second home and I quickly became acclimated to this new city, its diversity, food, music and culture. Since then, the streets of El Barrio have seen a change in its demographics with the arrival of new immigrants, in particular the Mexican community.  116^th Street is now known as “Little Mexico” and one of the reasons why I am pleased to be back in East Harlem and working for Iris House- I am home!

Back then, when I started working in the HIV/AIDS field, I was known as the “condom lady” among adolescents whom at some point had attended an educational HIV prevention workshop with me.  For others, I was the lady that helped them get a referral to HIV/STI testing, substance abuse prevention programs or spoke to them about safer sex.  Although, much has changed in the way we conduct our work, El Barrio/Harlem continues to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.   Our work needs to be in the streets, condoms must be made available, HIV testing must be kept in the forefront and individuals who are HIV positive must receive appropriate treatment and care services.  In an effort to reduce HIV transmission, our Condom Distribution Project distributes over 20,000 condoms to local business in El Barrio/Central/West Harlem, Washington Heights and the South Bronx on a monthly basis; and is model program in our community .

Today, as I walk through El Barrio to my office on 116^th and 2^nd Avenue, I am reminded that the fight must continue- immigrants are the face of AIDS, their faces represent the new generation of hope and survival; and Iris House will embrace their journey here.

Ofelia Barrios is the Senior Director of Community Health Initiatives at Iris House. Previously Ms. Barrios served as the Director of Programs at the Latino Commission on AIDS.

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and to impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” - Woodrow Wilson

 What better way to begin 2012 than by living closely to these inspiring words from Woodrow Wilson.  Since we’re past the holidays, where everyone from Hollywood to local celebrities shows up to homeless shelters to serve dinner (and the photo op), now is the time we see real acts of kindness.  The real work of altruism begins as we work to enrich and help those in need through the countless hours of volunteerism and support through generous donations.  In the spirit of resolution-fueled good deeds, let’s reflect on how we can make 2012 better than 2011.  Let’s encourage one another to do better at giving more to those who need it most – in whatever way possible.

Helping others is a great way to gain new insights about the world, and make a difference.   You improve neighborhoods.  You inspire and enrich lives.  But, you also become truly blessed by the people you meet along the way and the happy faces you serve.  At the end of the day, it becomes a more rewarding experience for you as volunteer and you reap the unlimited benefits in your spirit and your soul.

We at Iris House strive to provide comprehensive services and advocacy for women, families and communities infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Simultaneously, we provide prevention and education services for our client and at-risk communities.  With your help, we can continue to support our 3 offices that truly make a difference in the lives of the communities we serve. 

If you want to join us in this rewarding pursuit and you’re interested in starting the year off in the spirit of giving and helping others, contact the Iris House at www.irishouse.org for more details. We can help make volunteering and donating easy. 

Happy New Year!

Joy Altimare is a member of the Iris House Board of Directors and the Associate Director, Marketing at Conde Nast.