RAP Services: Meet the Staff
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Isaac Madison, Executive Director
Michael
Dominique Saunders-Matta, Community Organizer
What made you get involved with RAP?
My aim for much of my adult life has been to devote myself to work that allows me to support others by helping them to address the fundamental needs within their lives. Working for the Regional AIDS Project gives me the opportunity to provide such support, through individual and community involvement and on-going education in an area that is critical for sustainability and quality of life.
How long have you been involved with RAP?
Since January, 2008.
Why do you think you remain passionate about RAP?
I remain passionate NOT about the Regional AIDS Project but about HIV and AIDS prevention and what the RAP and organizations like ours are doing to help in supporting those inflicted and educating those that are not. And, until there is a cure for this disease I do not expect I will feel any differently.
What does RAP do for the surrounding communities?
RAP provides support to those living with HIV/AIDS in addition to educating the larger community through a variety of prevention and support programs and events.
How can people know they can trust you and RAP to provide them with the confidentiality and assistance they need?
My commitment to providing confidentiality to all those we work with is grounded in a deep sense of empathy a well as ethics. Likewise, the issue of confidentiality is at the forefront of our organization and practiced with utmost value. Just like any other organization that works with issues pertaining to health, we are bound by law in protecting the rights of the people we work with. We expect, especially with the stigma that shadows HIV/AIDS, that anyone we work with desires to do so confidentially, and if this an incorrect assumption then it is that persons decision to speak out about the details of their lives, NOT OURS!
The Board of Directors:
Nancy Winter, Vice Chair
What made you get involved with RAP?
I have been an HIV/Aids counselor and testing site for over 15 years, I feel it is very important to provide education to people about HIV/Aids to help people reduce their risks.
How long have you been involeved with RAP?
I have been a member of RAP for over 5 years.
Why do you think you remain passionate about RAP?
I think it is vital to provide education and risk reduction to people to help them make informed choices about their health.
What does RAP do for the surrounding communities?
RAP provides education, prevention material and condoms.
How can people know they can trust you and RAP to provide them with the confidentiality and assistance they need?
I am a nurse and in my position confidentiality is extremely important in dealing with people and very personal information. I bring that same mindset to my position on the RAP board and think it is essential to provide services with confidentiality.
Donna Hart
What made you get involved with RAP?
As the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Case manager and RN for Region 6 it is felt that my position not only with case management but as a health professional I could give some insight into the program along with a connection between those that are already HIV+ and those that we educate to not become +
How long have you been involved with RAP?
3 years
Why do you think you remain passionate about RAP?
I do know that I would call it a passion. I have a passion for helping my HIV+ clients; my focus with RAP is getting the prevention word out.
What does RAP do for the surrounding communities?
Educate, provide free condoms and literature.
How can people know they can trust you and RAP to provide them with the confidentiality and assistance they need?
Confidentiality is very very important in my position at the Riley County Manhattan Health Department and with my position on the Board. When I ask for assistance for a client only numbers and what assistance is needed is spoke or written about. The client does have the opportunity to disclose their name if they wish in a thank you note or just sending a thank you note with out any names is appreciated too. That way RAP and the community that donate dollars to RAP know that their money is being spent wisely.
Nancy Muturi
What made you get involved with RAP?
I have worked on AIDS-related issues througout my career life, first in Africa, then the Caribbean and more recently in the United States. Through my interaction with those infected and affected by the epidemic I have seen first hand the impact of the epidemic and what it can do to individuals, families, entire communities and society in general. With such experiences, I have decided to so something about it, and by getting involved with RAP is part of my contributions.
How long have you been involeved with RAP?
I have been involved with RAP since 2006. I came to Manhattan in 2005 and after a year of searching for agencies that are actively addressing HIV/AIDS, a colleague referred me to RAP
Why do you think you remain passionate about RAP?
Many people ask me what I will do when they discover a cure for HIV/AIDS and I tell them, by them we will still try to get people to either get immunized or to protect themselves. AIDS is very much a behavioral disease and we know how hard it is to change behaviors. As long as people remain adamant to use protection, and as long as the disease keeps spreading, we cannot stop.
What does RAP do for the surrounding communities?
RAP has been active in awareness and support to those who are affected by the disease. We specifically wish to emphasize education and awareness because there is no cure for the disease. RAP is now focusing on the younger generation because that is the group that is mainly impacted by the disease. We also have emphasis in testing and are collaborating with the Department of Public Health to encourage it and provide the necessary testing services.
How can people know they can trust you and RAP to provide them with
the confidentiality and assistance they need?
I have completed several training programs in HIV counseling and I am a certified peer trainer through the Red Cross. I understand the importance of confidentiality particularly due to the nature of stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS. I also understand HIV/AIDS policies related to confidentiality and have been a trainer for several international programs where the issue of confidentiality is involved.
Melodie Pooler, Chair
VACANT, Treasurer
Cora Holt, Secretary
Michael Taylor
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