Staff members witness Gov. Wolf’s LGBT anti-discrimination order signing

Shannon McElroy and Karen McCraw get their photo taken with Gov. Tom Wolf after he signed the LGBT anti-discrimination order.

A week after Family First Health announced its participation in a yearlong collaborative to transform primary care for LGBT patients, three staff members got to sit two rows away from the governor as he signed executive orders saying Pennsylvania would not stand for discrimination of LGBT people.

Because of Family First Health’s work for the LGBT community, Rep. Kevin Schreiber invited us to witness the historical moment that came on the heels of anti-LGBT laws gaining traction and approval in some states.

North Carolina enacted a law preventing cities from creating non-discrimination policies based on gender identity. It also states that students in state schools use the bathroom that corresponds with their born gender.

Outrage over the law was swift, and many businesses and performers are boycotting the state. Gov. Wolf said his executive orders were signed to show the country that Pennsylvania will not stand for discrimination of any kind – but especially against the LGBT population.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed it!

“I am taking action to protect those that I can and send a signal to the country that Pennsylvania is open for business no matter who you are or whom you love,” Wolf said at the press conference. “What happened in North Carolina, and what is going on in other states, should be a call to pass non-discrimination legislation in Pennsylvania now.”

“We must show that Pennsylvania is the place that William Penn envisioned when he founded our commonwealth on the principle that it is open, diverse, and inclusive for all people.”

Director of Social Services Karen McCraw, Shannon McElroy from Caring Together and I got to sit two rows away from the governor as he signed the orders. While we were there, Karen also spoke to the state Physician General Rachel Levine who said she was aware of Family First Health’s LGBT efforts and wanted to be kept in the loop.

It was an honor to represent Family First Health and the great work you all do during a historic moment for Pennsylvania.

Watch Gov. Wolf’s speech here.

Get involved in our free programs in April

There’s so much going on this month that we can’t even! 

It’s nearly April and we’ve got a lot going on at Family First Health. Let’s get caught up on what’s coming soon.

All month: It’s time for our Eat Your Greens campaign! This time we’re focusing on sneaking fruits and veggies into each of your meals. Keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all month as we include tips, tricks and more!

April 1 and 2: This weekend, we’re teaming up with the vision van to bring free eye exams to all York students and then Saturday in Delta to the entire community. It’s pretty awesome, and we’re very excited. Read today’s York Dispatch story on the event.

Also on April 1 and 2: Our Caring Together staff April 1^st and April 2^nd The Caring Together program will  be working a table at the Bears, Bikers and Mayhem event in Adams County. They’ll be doing some HIV testing and education on HIV/AIDS.

April 16: Our Caring Together staff and volunteers will be readying the Serenity Garden for spring!

April 18: Free advance directive workshops. No one wants to think about themselves or someone they love reaching the end of life. But it’s something we need to plan for – so we can receive the type of care we want to have. All adults should have a plan for a health care crisis. So join us Monday, April 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. at our George Street Center for a free workshop.

April 23: It’s Go Green in the City! Join us on Beaver Street in York for veggie and fruit stamping fun for the kids. We’ll also have some juice samples from our friends at Mr. Nice Guy Produce and Corner Cabinet. This is part of our Eat Your Greens campaign, which this month is focused on sneaking fruits and veggies into every meal! We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 26: Our Hanover parenting classes – “Parenting the love and logic way” kicks off. The classes run May 3, May 24, June 7, June 24 and July 5 at our Hanover Center. It’s run by us and Family-Child Resources. Reach out to our patient care coordinator Hyacinth Gayle at 632-9052 or email hgayle@familyfirsthealth.org.

April 29: Join us at Hauser Estates Winery in Adams County for A Toast to Good Health. We’ll be celebrating years of service to the Adams County community. Get your tickets online – they include wine, apps, free music and a fishbowl raffle.

April 30: This is a very busy day for Family First Health. We will be at the Hispanic American Center Hanover’s Kids Day with the Hanover Center staff. Some of our dental staff will be at the Colgate Van at the York YMCA. And other staffers will likely be at Leg Up Farm’s Family Fun Day.

May 3: Our Diabetes Prevention Program with the YMCA kicks off. It will run every Tuesday from May 3 to Aug. 16 and is FREE to Family First Health patients. Childcare will be provided at our George Street center. Call 843-7884 x 248 for more information. Learn more about the program here!

I think that’s it. Excuse me while I go hide somewhere because it’s going to be a BUSY MONTH of serving everyone and caring for you!

This will be your friendly development and marketing team come May.

 

 

AIDS Quilt 20 years later, bringing their children home

Caricature at top: Brian Bubb of York County.

At center, John Wesley Schmidt of York County.

Left, second from top: Dennis Smyers of Hanover

Center, Steven Weigle of York County.

It started out simply as a plea for help on social media. We’re bringing parts of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to town, and we’re looking for local panels. And after a few requests online, nothing.

So then, reaching out to my old friend, the newspaper in hopes that our requests would reach a different (slightly older) demographic. The day the story ran in the York Dispatch my phone was ringing before 10 a.m.

On the other end was Arlene Bubb. The 87-year-old wasn’t sure I could help her, but she really hoped I could. She saw this article in the paper and had to try. She knew her son, Brian was on a panel. But she didn’t remember which one – since she made it, boxed it up and sent it out in the mid-90s. Hasn’t seen it since. And as she’s reflecting on life and getting some of her things in order, Arlene goes on to tell me she’s just not sure if I’ll be able to find it. The quilt, you see … she said to me … was of the 35-year-old … and she remembers exactly what it was like.

“Was it a caricature of him with a tie,” I interjected. Arlene went silent as she searched for words. When she finally spoke, her voice cracked. I can’t tell you what she said since I only remember the sentiment, but the fact that someone would be able to search the quilt online and find her son … it was something she never thought would happen. Of course, she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and asked for the number.

Turns out, Arlene was part of The Open Group – a group of mothers who came together to support their children living with HIV/AIDS. They formed initially as a support for the family members, said Mary Jane Sanders – who called a few days after Arlene asking about her son’s panel. But Mary Jane said they quickly started working on ways to turn that around, serving lunches and dinners for those suffering from the disease. And of course, those ladies got together, learned to sew and made panels.

So far, we’ve been able to identify FOUR panels with York County ties, and we’re just getting started.

And every single time I get a phone call like Arlene and Mary Jane’s, it catches me off guard. They profusely thank me for doing this – for bringing the quilt back to York. They haven’t seen the quilt in 20+ years. And none of them have seen their panels since they shipped them off – most of them in the mid-90s. As they offer thanks, over and over, I stop them.

Some 20 years later, we get to bring their loved ones home.

For me, doing just that for them – even if it’s just 4 of them – is worth it. But we also get to shine a light on a chronic disease that’s still present in our world, even though many have forgotten about it.

So stay tuned. Because we’re bringing the AIDS Quilt from June 23-25 ahead of National HIV Testing Day. And we have some great ideas in the works.

 

 

HIV testing – how are we doing?

Nurse educator Brittany Hanchett gets tested to show how easy it is on World AIDS Day.

You may or may not know that here at Family First Health, we offer free HIV testing Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

You might also know that we go out into the community to events and to test people who might be at a high risk for contracting HIV. In a recent newsletter, our Caring Together staff took a look at how many tests we’ve been doing and the demographics of the population we’re reaching.

Our Linkage to Care Coordinator Tadd Hoffman has lead NINE testing events this past quarter – testing more than 100 people combined. Testings took place at White Deer Run, Penn State York, Colonial House and Millersville’s Pridefest.

From July 1 to Dec. 31, here’s a snapshot of just who is getting tested:

• 59% of them are white. 21% are black, 15% identify as other.
• 82% are non-Hispanic.
• 56% are men.
• 65% have been tested previously.

Getting tested is as easy as a simple, finger prick and 5 minute wait. Know your status and come in today.

Questions? Call (717) 846-6776, or just stop by the Caring Together office on the third floor of our York office at 116 S. George St.

Learn more about what Caring Together has to offer.

Staff-wide help to build a home

Look at all the stuff we have so far, and it’s just beginning!

Remember the story about Sarah – the Caring Together patient whose birthday was made when staff surprised her with a night in a king-sized bed at a hotel? 

Well, the staff continues to go above and beyond for her. Let’s get caught up.

Sarah continues to be resilient and brave about her recent HIV diagnosis and health battles. Case manager Carrie Prowell said:

“She makes me proud everyday with her determination to ‘be just fine’ for her girls,  and her story is truly nothing less than inspirational.”

The family is currently living in a crowded one bedroom apartment without a bed (hence the birthday surprise), but as of Jan. 1, they’ll be moving into a new three-bedroom apartment!

The problem is that the family has no household items.

You probably won’t be surprised that the minute Carrie shared this story, Shannon McElroy (her boss) and Courtney Lewis (director of development) started collecting things to bring in. Of course, Carrie did, too. Word spread to Sue Posey (practice manager at the George Street Center) and she started bringing in items.

Beyond the office visit with Caring Together

Here’s just a few of our amazing Caring Together staff. From left, Tadd, Carrie, Shannon and Eartha.

Since I’ve started here as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, I’ve heard so many stories that show not only how much our staff loves the work caring for you, but also how far many of them are willing to go to care beyond our walls.

Most of us only see our doctors during a visit — maybe 20-30 minutes at most. We call for prescriptions or emergency visits. But here at Family First Health, I’ve seen so many people go above and beyond.

Taking Caring Together for an amazing example that, yes, made me cry.

On a recent day, a Caring Together client — we’ll call her Sarah — came in for a visit to get her set up for HIV meds. Sarah was really feeling poorly and we had to call an ambulance to get her some additional care. As they wheeled her out, several of our staff stood in tears, and her case manager Carrie Prowell walked her to the elevator saying she’d be in touch soon.