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| BCAR Profile |
1109 Walnut St
Abilene, TX 79601
P 325 672 3077
F 325 672 3182
Mon-Thurs 9a-6p |
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| Our History |
| The Abilene AIDS Task Force, a loosely formed group of health care professionals and other interested persons, organized by Dr. Gorden Golden, was the forerunner of the Big Country Aids Support Group and ran concurrently for the first couple of years. |
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1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
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2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
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2008 |
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need info for 2008
need info for 2007
need info for 2006
need info for 2005
- BCAR is awarded a matching grant from the GILL Foundation, for purposes of expanding outreach efforts.
- BCAR second Executive Director, Alana F. Maddox, is hired.
- A second administrative assistant is hired, to suppor the Social Services Staff.
- A new Prevention Grant cycle begins, in which the role of outreach is shifted, and Prevention Case Managemnet services are emphasized, along with HIV antibody testing.
- BCARs first Executive Director, Diana Naranjo, is hired.
- BCAR is awarded Social Services grant funds, to begin providing expanded services for HIV-positive clients - a parttime social work is hired to supervise those programs.
- BCAR begins operating in closer cooperations with AIDS Resources of Rural Texas, the other AIDS service organization in Abilene.
- BCAR is awarded an 18 month $23,000 contract from the National Library of Medicine to establish a multimedia HIV / STD Resource Center, with books, periodicals and computers with internet access geared to HIV / AIDS clients, their families, area students and health care professionals.
- Awarded Texas Department of Health [TDH] three-year prevention grant, which provided funds for additional staff, bringing total staff to three: a full time prevention coordinator, a full time outreach coordinator and a parttime bookkeeper / receptionist.
- BCAR board voted to purchase the building at 1109 Walnut.
- To emphasize agency status, Board voted to eliminate membership and monthly meetings.
- BCAR hosts AIDS awareness reception at the McMurry University exhibit of selected panels of the Names Project Memorial Quilt.
- BCAR moves to the downtown location of 1109 Walnut, leasing office space that includes several offices, a conference room, reception area and a vast storage area.
- Grand opening was held in July, with the Chamber of Commerce Redcoats in attendance.
- Board expanded from 12 to a range of 15-18 members
- In September, the Prevention grant was transferred to BCAR, along with the agency's first staff member to head up the prevention program.
- BCAR secured a subcontract from the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health Department for HIV antibody testing, prevention counseling and partner elicitation [PCPE].
- Casino Night and Teddy Bear's Parade fund-raisers held.
- BCAR co-sponsored a display of part of the Names Project Memorial Quilt with the host organization McMurry University.
- Brown bag lunches began.
- City initiates discussions of transfer of educational and social services programs from Abilene-Taylor County Health Department to BCAR.
- Pantry moved from Health Department to BCAR.
- Nash House reverts to private rental residence.
- Christmas in July Food Drive held.
- Casino Night fund-raiser held.
- Board expanded from seven to 12+ members.
- By-laws revised.
- Monthly meetings moved to Pete's Restaurant.
- Talks began between BCAR and the City of Abilene about moving the Texas Department of Health prevention grant from the STD/HIV Clinic to BCAR.
- Hotline discontinued.
- "Marvin's Room" at McMurry University fund-raiser held.
- Mom's Meals initiated.
- "Stars Fell on Henrietta" auction fund-raiser held.
- Nash House began as six-month pilot project [residential three-bed rental house]
- Name changed to Big Country AIDS Resources [BCAR].
- Coordinated meeting with the Abilene-Taylor County Pubic Health Department, Community Foundation of Abilene and BCAR to reinitiate the Abilene AIDS Consortium.
- AIDS Awareness Seminar [Alison Arngrim] held in cooperation with the Abilene Coordinating Council.
- Black and White Party fund-raiser at the Center for Contemporary Arts.
- First meeting to expand the Abilene AIDS Consortium.
- Maple Place approved [project later abandoned due to asbestos removal costs].
- First Peer Review meeting held.
- BCAR moved to South 7th Street office, the first official base of operations.
- Texas AIDS Network [TAN] seminar held at Humana Hospital [now Abilene Regional Medical Center].
- First major "event" fund-raiser - Style Show and Silent Art Auction was held at the Abilene Country Club.
- Maple Place plans initiated [People living with AIDS residential housing on State School grounds].
- First Christmas baskets distributed.
- First Home Nursing Seminar, co-sponsored with Hospice of Abilene and the West Texas Rehabilitation Center was held.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church began making regular contributions to medication fund.
- First effort at a letter requesting donations was sent to a mailing list of 600.
- Direct assistance fund assigned to a three-person committee
- Support Group and Abilene-Taylor County Public Health Department collaborated to plan the STD/HIV Clinic.
- Clinic opened in November
- Community Foundation of Abilene awarded Support Group a grant to fund the Hotline
- Support Group was a founding member, with the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health Department, of the Abilene AIDS Consortium.
- Co-sponsored AIDS seminar at McMurry University for health professionals.
- AIDS Hotline began operation.
- Don Peables was the first client/member to go public with his HIV/AIDS status.
- First World AIDS Day candlelight memorial service held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
- Road Rally fund-raiser held.
- Big Country AIDS Support Group was organized by Ann Horn and Dr. Sam Brinkman.
- First volunteer training held.
- The Blood Bank credit account for patients was established.
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| Board of Directors |
- Connie J. Mangin - President
- Tremain Jackson - Secretary
- Theresa Wilson - Treasure
- Betty H. Sims - Immediate Past President
- Ed Allred
- Larry Holmes
- Amanda Liuzza
- Ana Sanchez
- Sally Schaefer
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| Our Staff |
- Alana F. Maddox, MPA - Executive Director
- Mitzi Smith, MED - Director Care Services Coordinator
- Rachel Smith, MA - HIV Prevention Coordinator
- Crystal Parker - Administrative Assistant
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| Leadership and Direction |
- In 20 years, 9 Board Presidents:
Dr. Sam Brinkman [appointed]- 1987
Bronwyn Bowen [elected president - 2 terms] - 1988-1989
Mike Yates [2 terms] - 1990-1991
Terry Ballard [incomplete term] - 1992
Don Riddle [completed Terry's term] - 1992
Larry Holmes [3 terms] - 1993-1995
Mike Yates - 1996
Dr. Carroll Haggard [2 terms] - 1997-1998
Mike Yates - 1999
Connie Mangin [3 terms] - 2000-2002
Betty Sims [4 terms] - 2003-2006
Connie Mangin - 2007
- From the onset, there was an effort to appeal to the community-at-large, not just the gay community.
- The gay community has supported the Support Group to a limited degree, mostly through gay members and fund-raisers at the bars.
- During the first few years, there was a close association with Exodus Metropolitan Community Church.
- There has been an ongoing effort to not seem aligned with any one hospice, gay bar or church.
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| In the Public Eye |
From the beginning, meetings featured guest speakers on AIDS-related topics. Historically, the group has been visible at local health fairs and other similar venues, such as the West Texas Fair, the Hendrick Health Fair at the Civic Center and the Nonprofit Showcase at the Mall of Abilene. Over the last 19 years, World AIDS Day services have been hosted by at least 11 different churches representing at least 8 different denominations. Initially, there was an effort to include local clergy as one way of getting them interested / involved in working with AIDS related issues.
- 1988 - Aldersgate United Methodist Church
- 1989 - Grace United Methodist Church
- 1990 - St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- 1991 - St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- 1992 - Brook Hollow Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]
- 1993 - Westminister Presbyterian Church
- 1994 - Grace Lutheran Church
- 1995 - First Central Presbyterian Church
- 1996 - First Central Presbyterian Church
- 1997 - First Baptist Church
- 1998 - Westminster Presbyterian Church
- 1999 - St. Mark's Episcopal Church
- 2000 -
- 2001 -
- 2002 -
- 2003 - Macedonia Baptist Church
- 2004 - First Baptist Church
- 2005 - Exodus Metropolitan Community Church
- 2006 - Highland Church of Christ
The Home Nursing Seminar was developed to try to give families with bedfast AIDS patients some home nursing skills, but not many families participated. It was well-attended during its three years because of the response from home health sitters.
From 1995-1999, there was an annual blood drive at the Center for Contemporary Arts.
Socials have ranged from potlucks and picnics to volleyball and brown bag lunches.
Local churches have worked with BCAR since its inception. Highland Church of Christ and Sacred Heart Catholic Church have helped by assisting patients; Sacred Heart Catholic Church and First Central Presbyterian Church have given substantial regular contributions for medications and the client assistance fund; and St. Mark's Episcopal Church has donated to the food pantry and provided some counseling.
Although the publicity has been about the same, volunteer training in the early years drew lots of participants. In the late 1990s, attendance had declined considerably.
By the late 1990's, some members expressed the feeling that, as the Clinic grew, impetus, or need, for BCAR to expand services decreased. The educational program moved to the Clinic, and Clinic staff made home visits when necessary. Prior to the Clinic, BCAR's services to clients were primarily visitation and transportation. Most of the services provided by the Clinic were never provided by BCAR. There were some initial problems between the Clinic and BCAR concerning access to clients who might want or need BCAR services. |
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| Greatest Success Stories |
- Starting a prevention program, funded by the Texas Department of Health.
- Creating the HIV Resource Center, funded by the National Library of Medicine.
- Medication fund set up for clients.
- Emergency Financial Assistance fund created for clients.
- Food Pantry program started for clients.
- Holiday baskets provided for our clients.
- World AIDS Day services, held every year since 1988.
- Participation in establishment of Health Department's HIV Clinic.
- Initiation of Mom's Meals.
- The AIDS Hotline
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| Member Accomplishments |
- Ann Horn and Mike Yates both served on the Texas AIDS Network Board.
- Larry Holmes and Bronwyn Bowen served as Public Health Region 2 HIV Prevention Planning Co-Chairs [1992-1998].
- Bronwyn Bowen served on the Area 3 Assembly in the community planning process, as well as serving as core group leader for Abilene [2000].
- Since 1996, Don Clyburn has served on the North Central Texas HIV Planning Council. He will become Chair of the Planning Council in July 2007.
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