Reflective Essay
tigers2019_
HEROES.pptxHEROES
Helping Everyone Receive Ongoing Effective Support
Lydia Mire, Michaela Weeks, Monyea Williams
Since 1995, this organization has served key members in our community, with minorities and women at the forefront of all of their efforts.
The main goal is to educate about, assist with treatment, and provide sources and preventative measures relating to HIV, AIDS, and sex education overall, without the stigma of the diseases being placed on those the organization serves.
Ms. Monica Johnson, the leader of the organization, discussed the difficulty in choosing the name of the organization due to the stigma, and made sure that the name would not include any hint of either one so that they could adequately serve individuals without bias.
After having an experience of her own, both in suffering from being HIV positive and losing her three year old son to the illness, Ms. Monica was unable to receive the necessary help or resources, because at the time local organizations only helped gay, white males.
Services Provided to Clients
Support group in Monroe twice monthly, with an annual retreat with people from all over the state in attendance.
Fulfilling a need in black communities as well as with women of all ethnicities in getting the proper care, resources, and assistance with surviving these issues
Prevention education about HIV, AIDS, and teenage pregnancy
Community healing through mental health wellness services and support
“HEROES change lives, it changed my life. I'm forever grateful that Monica thought of me when she needed a dancer. And I'm forever grateful that she has impacted my life.”
“At the retreat, we learned how to communicate, easy ways to disclose, how effective meds are, and of course the horror stories that go along with it. After the first retreat, I felt more comfortable than I had ever been disclosing my status to others and not feel some type of way about it. The retreat also allowed me to network with others and build long lasting friendships.”
Testimonials from HEROES clients
Difficulties with Fundraising and Staffing for the Organization
Bobby Gendel made budget cuts that drastically affected the organization and their abilities
Before budget cuts the organization had revived plenty of grants, but lost those efforts after the cuts were made
Always fundraising, they have a difficult time with raising funds due to the type of assistance that they provide, but their efforts do not cease despite that
For the entire organization, they have three part time employees, including Ms. Monica from above, and each of the ladies are driven by their desire to help the community in need
Community Impact Made by HEROES Efforts
100-150 people served in the community annually, with 50 individuals being served during COVID
Created programs that say “yes” to helping demographics including children that previously had no assistance with fighting HIV, AIDS
Providing a safe, private space for people to share their stories and feel welcomed as well as cared for
Story and Mission
HEROES was founded in 1995 after struggling within a healthcare system that constantly said 'no' to the needs of women and children with HIV/AIDS. The Office of Women's Health provided our seed money--a $25,000 grant. Over 20 years later HEROES programs have touched the lives of more than 10,000 people affected by HIV and AIDS in the rural South.
HEROES brings lifesaving services and assistance to those who are impacted by HIV in the rural South and education to the community. Our outreach programs, retreats and educational initiatives are tailor-made for the issues we face in Northeast Louisiana.
Board Members and Their Career Fields
Wanda Brown- Banking
Gala Colby- Wyndham Corporate
Ezekiel Moore- Real Estate
Re Johnson- Education
Leslie Smith- Nursing
Daniel Woods- State Farm Insurance
Sebastian Winell- Social Worker, Diversity
Strengths of HEROES
Community impact
Ability to adapt to less than desirable funding woes
Not limiting services to the stigma of HIV, AIDS
Scope of services offered, assistance provided to clients
DREAM is a retreat program that has successfully created a community among the clients of HEROES.
Weaknesses of Heroes
A lack of funding limits the amount of clients that the organization may serve, as well as the amount of staff they may employ and the benefits that they can offer those individuals
Hardships with budget cuts and the recent pandemic have hit this organization hard and increased the already increasing funding difficulties
Other Connections Within the Region
Well connected with ULM, and many interns for the organization are students or faculty of the university
Partnered with ULM Dental Hygiene
They have tried to partner with other organizations in the past but the connections failed to produce positive enforcement of the organization’s mission
These are volunteers from around the community.
Our Take, Your Vote
“Our reason for advocating on behalf of HEROES is the amazing work that they have done in a community that often, until previously, has been denied necessary resources. They have helped people from all over the state to find once again their confidence and strength despite having life changing diseases, and have had an undeniably positive impact for all of those that they have served. After being an official organization for over twenty five years, they are still struggling to find steady funding due to government budget cuts, and although they have managed to continue on with the fight, with a little assistance their efforts could be much further extended. We hope that you all will choose our organization because it will help them to continue to grow and impact the community despite the stigma they have to endure.”
