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Current news, upcoming events and |
Creating a Healing Society Program Goes National in 2004
We are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response we have received in 2004 for our cutting-edge Creating a Healing Society program. In addition to the many powerful workshops which Program Director Dave Mashore and Executive Director Susan Lawrence presented for a wide variety of groups and organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, they also participated in the 5th National Harm Reduction Conference held in New Orleans in November 2004. Their program was received extremely enthusiastically, and they were invited back to the 6th National Conference scheduled to be held in Oakland, CA.
Creating a Healing Society will continue to expand its geographic reach in 2005: Susan and Dave will present this program for physicians and mental health professionals at the prestigious Creativity and Madness continuing medical education course held in Maui in December. Other regional and national presentations are also planned.
We are proud of the ongoing Creating a Healing Society program that is now in place for the inmates at the California State Prison in Lancaster. The enthusiastic reception of the program has led Susan and Dave to begin work on the development of a peer educator curriculum in which inmates will play a leadership role in bringing this program to other inmates throughout the prison, with the goal of creating a safer and healthier community both within and outside of the prison walls.
AIDS Walk AV, Catalyst’s signature 3.1 mile walkathon, was held on October 23, 2004, and was once again a great success. Nearly $10,000 was raised by over 200 participants and supporters. The top fundraising team, with over $1200 raised, was Teen Builders, led by Antelope Valley High school teacher Sue Strom; the top individual fundraiser was Anthony Edwards, who brought in $137.00. All monies raised will be used to support Catalyst’s free medical care and supportive social services for our neighbors living with HIV/AIDS, as well as community-wide HIV education and prevention services.
This year’s event is in the planning stages for October 2005, and will be called the 3 rd Annual AIDS/HepC Walk AV. The walk will create awareness throughout the Antelope Valley of the enormous impact of the epidemic of Hepatitis C (HCV) on our community: an estimated 9,000 of our neighbors in the Antelope Valley have Hepatitis C, and of these over 5,000 are at risk of developing life-threatening liver disease. Catalyst is the only nonprofit clinic in the entire County of Los Angeles providing free medical care to low-income, uninsured persons with HCV. Proceeds from this year’s Walk will also be used to support Catalyst’s unique HCV care and prevention programs.
Can’t walk but would like to help? Donate online by clicking here. Interested in being part of the AIDS/HepC Walk Volunteer Planning Committee? Contact Dave Mashore at Catalyst: (661) 948-8559, x 112.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style at one of Lancaster’s finest restaurants, Downtown Bistro, and support The Catalyst Foundation’s Creating a Healing Society Program by attending this new and exciting event!
Make your reservation now and enjoy a delicious five-course gourmet meal amid art of great beauty at Downtown Bistro, with musical entertainment featuring the contemporary guitar stylings of Bob Sobo. The ticket price of $40 also includes complimentary wine tasting courtesy of Antelope Valley Winery, as well as a free drawing ticket for a chance to win great prizes.
The art show, featuring paintings donated by the gifted members of Artists Serving Humanity (as well as works by other artists from throughout the country), will be open to the public free of charge beginning Tuesday, February 1. Visitors to the show will be able to place bids to purchase artwork through a silent auction until the close of the event on Sunday evening, February 13. Some pieces will also be available for direct sale.
Promote your business by becoming a sponsor of this high-profile community event! For information about corporate sponsorships, please contact Dave Mashore at the Catalyst office, (661) 948-8559, x 112. For reservations and all other information, please contact Ana at the Catalyst office (x 102), or Downtown Bistro directly at (661) 948-2253.
This event is dedicated to the dear memory of Catalyst visionary Frank Altadonna, 12/1/57 – 2/13/99.
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