National Black HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY is today February 7th

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

February 7, 2024

Every year individuals and organizations across the nation participate in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to promote HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment in black communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is Wednesday, February 7. This year’s observance is an opportunity to increase awareness and spark conversations about HIV. This year’s theme is “Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Communities”.
    • Engage: Discussing ways to better involve the Black community in HIV prevention and treatment efforts. This can include outreach programs, community partnerships, and partnering with local leaders and influencers to promote HIV testing and destigmatize the conversation around HIV/AIDS.
    • Educate: Focusing on improving HIV/AIDS education among Black youth and adults. This could cover the latest research, treatment options, understanding of PrEP and PEP medications, and debunking myths that contribute to stigma and discrimination.
    • Empower: Highlighting success stories and strategies that have effectively empowered Black individuals living with HIV. Empowerment can be through advocacy, policy change, access to care, and support systems.

To learn more, browse the AIDSinfo National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day webpage.

Queen with Hearts FEB 11 @ 1pm

The Imperial Court of New York presents Queen with Hearts 

a fundraiser for Buddies of NJ, Inc.

 

Join us for a truly magnificent event hosted by the illustrious Princess Royale Vikki LaFontaine.  An extraordinary afternnoon to support the incredible work done by Buddies for the HIV services and prevention in Bergen, Passaic & Hudson Counties.  Buddies has been serving LGBTQ & HIV Communities since 1985.

75% of proceeds will be given directly to Buddies of NJ for fill in the gap services.

Come join us at 1PM for a fantastic brunch at Tavern 61 in Hackensack… AND WE’LL ALL BE HOME IN TIME FOR THE BIG GAME at 6:30pm

TAKE OUT A DATE FOR VALENTINE’S A FEW DAYS BEFORE!!!

Tickets are $75. each…  This includes full buffet, pluse domestic beer, wine, and soda.  Cash bar for other alcohol.

They are providing this event at slightly over the cost of presenting it.  Yes, prices have gone up,  and fundraisers for Buddies are still at about half the cost as most other agencies within our state.

BUY TICKETS HERE:  https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/zLCTqM

Tom Hayes HOLIDAY BRUNCH

*** TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE – NO TICKETS SOLD DAY OF ***

GET TICKETS NOW…    CLICK HERE:  https://bonj23.eventbrite.com

Single – $45.00 ea. / Clients & Children Under 12 – $35.00 ea. /Table of 10 – $400.00

Brunch | Raffles | and More!

Make this a family and friend celebration … with our family at Buddies.

It is time for everyone to be together before the holidays!

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Los boletos individuales cuestan $ 45.00 / Una Mesa de 10 cuestan $400.00

Subasta silenciosa | Sorteo de TV | ¡y más!

Haga de esto una celebración familiar y de amigos … con nuestra familia en Buddies.

¡Es un momento para que todos estén juntos antes de las dias festivos!

WORLD AIDS DAY | Writing Contest

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st

to a Presentation that commemorates those we lost from HIV/AIDS,

honors those who struggle with this disease today, and

celebrates those who are helping to bring this epidemic to an end.

REGISTER HERE so that we can prepare food and space.

 

We will start promptly at 10am with breakfast immediately

Poetry / Writing Contest for college aged writers WEEK LEFT to submit your entry (by Tuesday 11/28)

Bergen County artist Elke Donofrio was commissioned and has completed an 8′ high ribbon for this year’s World AIDS DAY!

Using nothing but recycled water bottles, glue, and chicken wire Elke designed the construction and brought to life a ribbon.   The ribbon was spray painted red to signify the red ribbons worn in solidarity for people living with HIV and in remembrance of those we have lost from HIV/AIDS.   The RED Ribbon, usually placed over our hearts as individuals, is now done in a way that it is placed over the heart of Bergen County’s full health center: BERGEN New Bridge Medical Center.  Buddies of NJ, this year has partnered with New Bridge Medical Center who both have been at the forefront of treating people with HIV/AIDS since the early 1980’s.

ALL communities are being called to join us and be part of commemorating  those we lost AND working together to end HIV epidemics by HELPING COMMUNITIES LEAD .

 

Transgender Day of Remembrance

This is a day that we stand in solidarity with our trans- sisters and brothers…

It is a good day to re-commit to making ourselves, and our surroundings, safe-spaces of inclusivity and caring and kindness.  These should be part of who we are on a daily basis not just on one special day.  It is an outward sign of love to take time aside on a day like this to remember those we lost from senseless accounts of bigotry and violence.   We would not tolerate this against anyone in our families; let’s extend this caring to our extended family members today and throughout the year.

COME TO OUR FAB GROUP TONIGHT, 6:30 TONIGHT at Buddies of NJ |  149 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601

Have a cup of coffee and… share some thought on this very special day of remembrance.

FAB begins at 6:30pm on 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.

National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Take time today to let your friends know that you care by getting an HIV Test with them. Discuss if PrEP is something good for you or someone you know.

Visit your local AIDS Service Organization and find out how you can work together to make things better in your community!

 

Tómate el tiempo hoy para hacerles saber a tus amigos que te preocupas haciéndote una prueba de VIH con ellos. Analice si la PrEP es buena para usted o para alguien que conoce.

¡Visite su organización local de servicios para el SIDA y descubra cómo pueden trabajar juntos para mejorar las cosas en su comunidad!

Save These Dates

Sept. 16th   Buddies Recourse & COMMUNITY Wellness Fair

Oct. 5th  Invited to View RENT the musical at the Bergen County Players in Oradell

Dec. 1st  World AIDS DAY

Dec. 10  Tom Hayes Holiday Brunch at the BROWNSTONE

 

Please email events@njbuddies.org with any further inquiry.

National HIV Testing Day

Testing and knowing your status should be done always.  But the 27th of June is set aside so that we enter communities that you are part of to not only bring HIV Testing in 20 minutes… but to bring postitive attitudes, education and fun.  Come out get tested and get gift cards and swag…

10a – 12p

Walgreens E. 18th Street Paterson,  NJ

1p to 4p

Walmart in North Bergen, NJ

throughout the day

CAPCO’s new office on Main Street in Paterson 

& of course we can always be available at our home location:

149 Hudson Street at the Franklin A. Smith Resource Center

Give a call and reserve time for your next test: 201-489-2900