Funding Cut for HIV and AIDS Prevention

At the same time we are learning that the rates of HIV and AIDS infections are double what has been previously reported, we are facing a cut in funding for our HIV prevention services here at The Center West and The Center East in Sioux Falls. We have operated under a grant from the Department of Health with funds from the Centers for Disease Control. We will recieve less money in 2008 than we did in 2007. This dispite the fact that we had requested more funds to increase our prevention activities and have invested in resources to accomplish that increase.

The Department of Health is not at fault in this. Indeed, they have tweeked the budget for next year to try to give us at least close to what we recieved last year. The money just isn't there to increase the funding.

The State of South Dakota gives nothing for HIV and AIDS prevention. All the money comes from the CDC. Maybe our legislature needs to step up and help with the prevention services for our state instead of relying on the CDC. Relying on the feds is always shaky.

As for the Centers we are facing some unpleasant choices. We can cut back on our services or a worse case scenerio would be to close The Center West. Right now we are looking for some alternative funding sources so we can not only maintain our present level of services but increase them as well.

Over the next few weeks and months we will be asking the community in South Dakota to help us out with some donations and support. If the LGBT community thinks that the Centers are important and the services we provide are needed, then the community needs to step up and help to keep the doors open. That can be done with donations of money, time and support. If you don't know what the Centers are about and what they have to offer, we invite you to stop in and check it out. I think you will be surprised.

All donations to the Centers can be tax deductible. Donations can be made on line. Or they can be mailed to The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4, Rapid City, SD. 57702

Help us to help build a better, more vibrant and healthy LGBT community in South Dakota. A real community helps to take care of its own.