| The following services are provided at our Annex Building at 2757 S. Keeler Ave,
(entrance on 28th St.). Call (773) 277-2291 to contact any program staff listed below. |
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INTAKE SESSIONS |
| An intake session with our Intake Coordinator is required before receiving any Ryan White Program service to determine eligibility, to orient client to the agency, and to evaluate for possible fees for services. Clients who wish to register must bring the following to the first visit: |
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Proof of HIV status with recent CD4 and viral load lab results |
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Referral from medical provider recommending the specific therapy to be received
contact information for medical provider and case manager (if has one) |
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Proof of income* (SSI/SSDI letter, check stub, tax return, unemployment letter, etc.) |
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Proof of health insurance* |
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| *If the client is unemployed and/or uninsured, then a letter of support is requested. |
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RYAN WHITE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM |
| Offers holistic individual and couples counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones in a confidential and supportive environment. Also provides ongoing weekly psychosocial support groups (see descriptions below) and quarterly Community Forums. All services are offered in English and Spanish. Clinical supervision for the program is provided by Dr. John C. Benitez, PhD of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. |
| 1) Esperanza |
| Weekly ongoing psycho-educational support group for Spanish-speaking persons living with HIV/AIDS and their affected partners, friends, and family members. Open pot luck/social meeting every second Tuesday of the month, and relaxation/meditation session every last Tuesday of the month. Topics and presenters offered include energy therapy, nutrition, medical updates, mental health issues, spirituality, sexuality, and other needs. Pre-registration intake required. Bus passes and a light meal are offered at each group. |
| Meets Tuesdays 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM |
| 2) The Importance of Knowledge |
| Monthly psycho-educational support group targeting African American persons living with HIV/AIDS. Invited presenters from the community as well as the Mental Health Counselor facilitate topics about: relationships, spirituality, adherence, nutrition, goal setting, safe sex, social services, and other needs. Pre-registration intake required. Bus passes and a light meal are offered at each group. |
| Meets the 4th Monday of the month. Call for monthly time and topic. |
| Contact: Greg Van Hyfte, Program Coordinator ; Cost for Mental Health Services: FREE |
Program Staff : Greg Van Hyfte MA : gvanhyfte@projectvida.org |
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RYAN WHITE ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES PROGRAM |
| Includes massage therapy and acupuncture treatments. These therapies help provide relaxation and relief from muscle or joint pain, as well as alleviate some of the symptoms and illnesses related to HIV/AIDS. Practitioners also work with clients of the Mental Health Counseling program so that these clients receive truly holistic and comprehensive care. Therapies are available in Spanish either directly or by translation. |
| Contact: Alejandra Peña, Program Coordinator ; Cost: Sliding Fee Scale range: $0 -- $20 |
Program Staff : |
Alejandra Peña: apena@projectvida.org.
Luis Quezada : lquezada@projectvida.org. |
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CONSUMER ADVISORY BOARD |
| This group of clients who receive Ryan White Program services at our Annex Building meets monthly to discuss new ideas for agency programming and fundraising and to address service delivery issues. Client concerns and suggestions are communicated to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, as needed, to increase client input. |
| Contact: Greg Van Hyfte |
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FOOD PANTRY |
| In collaboration with Vital Bridges Chicago, provides food on a weekly or biweekly basis to qualified people living with AIDS. Also can provide on a referral basis individual nutritional counseling with a Licensed Dietician, offering body index analysis testing and information about exercise, diet, and health. Clients already enrolled in Vital Bridges can select Project VIDA as their food pick-up site. |
| Contact: Alejandra Peña, Program Coordinator |
| Cost: FREE for those who qualify |
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