Positive Source

Positive Resource Connection delivers support in a judgment-free, stigma-free environment

By Tabitha Ervin
Of Fort Wayne Ink Spot

The Positive Resource Connection, formerly the AIDS Task Force of Northeast Indiana, has been a part of the Fort Wayne community and surrounding areas over the past 30 years. The organization’s mission is to prevent new cases of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, and STDs and advance a compassionate and stigma-free community response.

Patricia Veazy, PRC's Prevention Outreach Coordinator, has been employed with the organization for 15 years. She is responsible for making the community aware of all the PRC's services in support of residents in a 12-county area. The organization looks to first focus on education and eliminating the stigma and discrimination that continues to surround HIV. I was able to connect with Patricia to discuss the variety of services including some that people may not be aware of!

Tabitha: When I was working at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA, we did a few things together so it's great to reconnect! Tell me about the services offered by the organization.

Patricia: We have a variety of services that we offer which include non-medical management and outreach in addition to testing and therapy for individuals and groups. We also have some days when we offer clinic services.

Tabitha: This is great if you can break some of those things down to me so that we are clear on all the specifics that would be great!

Patricia: Sure! Our non-medical management coordinator supports a variety of services for people such as insurance information, a Food and Nutrition program, and an in-house food pantry, any test that may be needed, interpretation services and support groups, and therapy.

We do testing for HIV and Hep C and we also have a PReP navigator. PReP is a medication that helps to prevent HIV. We also provide harm reduction counseling individually and in group support.

On our outreach service side, which is my department, we do HIV/STD prevention and education, testing, street outreach, and general awareness. Our street outreach is on Wednesdays and we partner with the FWPD to walk the street and give out information as well as anything from water, to condoms, band-aids, and tampons along with other items.

We also have an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Clinic on-site for high school age done by the Health Dept on Wednesdays from 1 pm - 4:45 pm; $10 for youth and $21 for adults.

Tabitha: This is a lot of information! Thank you for sharing and breaking it all down! What else do people need to know?

Patricia: We want to serve, educate and break down stigmas especially in the African American community.

All of our services are free and confidential, and you can visit the website for more detailed information. We want to make sure we accommodate people's needs and we provide a no-judgment zone. We are here to help and support those who need it and we are focused on serving our whole community effectively.