This Super Bowl Weekend Join The Real MVP's In The Fight Against HIV

ATLANTA - Jan. 26, 2019 - PRLog -- During a special celebration on the weekend of Super Bowl LIII on Saturday, February 2, 2019, the Metro Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council (MAHHSPC) will host the 20th Annual Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative (AAOI), a daylong community event called, Reflection Forward at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, Northeast Atlanta, GA 30303. It will include free HIV testing, 18 dynamic workshops, free breakfast, free lunch, free childcare, a historical walk and a Super Bowl-inspired awards ceremony. Doors open at 7:00a.m.

AAOI is a federally funded program initiative of MAHHSPC that tirelessly supports people living in 20 metro Atlanta counties. Organizers are dedicated to improving individual and community health outcomes and facilitating access to care through HIV prevention, treatment and retention. The forum helps people who are not linked to care and it gets them connected to necessary services. It provides a safe environment for participants to share, grow and build a community of support. The event also ensures that prevention information and alternatives are available to everyone. This year's powerful lineup of workshops includes; trainings on reducing stress, money management, parenting with HIV, housing, healthy love and substance abuse. The program will also bring together service providers and people living with and those affected by HIV-AIDS." Without AAOI, many would have gone undiagnosed and without care," said Reggie Dunbar II, AAOI Participant.

This year, there will be tremendous emphasis placed on the achievements of the last 20 years while looking toward a future absent of HIV-AIDS. "Two decades ago, we were just realizing the power contained within modern antiretroviral medications. Today, we stand at the same place, but this time, we are focused on unfettered health outcomes. It's truly time to get to work and help all to viral suppression," said Daniel D. Driffin, MPH & Director of External Affairs at THRIVE Support Services.

The Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative is a program of the Metro Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council. It is also known as the Ryan White Part A Planning Council. The program is constituted under the Ryan White HIV-AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2009 (formerly the Ryan White Care Act). The Planning Council is the legislatively mandated planning body for the Ryan White Part A Program. The Planning Council devises programs for the comprehensive treatment and prevention of HIV-AIDS. It also meets the needs of those living with HIV-AIDS through planning, funding and evaluation of services.

To register for the AAOI forum or to get involved with the work of MAHHSPC visit www.fultoncountyga.gov/ryan-white-planningcouncilrw, call 404-613-AAOI or email Sandra.Vincent@fultoncountyga.gov. You can also follow @mahhspc on Twitter and Facebook and download the AAOI App at aaoi.info.

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Kaliah Henton-Jones, Henton Jones Media, LLC
239-910-9991 or kaliah@hentonjonesmedia.com