PHILADELPHIA, November 20, 2008 - Mel Wells, president, and Reverend Henry T. Wells, founder, are pleased to announce that One Day At A Time (ODAAT) will be hosting its annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner for Philadelphia men, women and families suffering from homelessness.
The event will take place at the AFCOM Center located at 2432 W. Lehigh Avenue on Thursday, November 27, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ODAAT is honored to be joined in serving dinner by Philadelphia Police Captain Branville Bard of the 22nd District as well as other Philadelphia policemen and women. Guest speakers scheduled to attend include Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Jr. Entertainment will be provided by B.I.G. C.I.T.Y. of Praise 103.9 FM.
Reverend Henry T. Wells, founder of ODAAT, says "I have had some wonderful Thanksgivings in my long life, but this year I am more thankful than ever because of the outpouring of love and generosity of so many people in support of ODAAT in recent years. I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving."
The annual ODAAT Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner plans to serve approximately 200 people this year, and represents ODAAT's commitment to combat homelessness, addiction and HIV/AIDS every day of the year.
In the words of One Day At A Time's president, Mel Wells, "Thanksgiving is a day when we should be thankful, but in God's kingdom, Thanksgiving is every day that God opens our eyes."
ODAAT provides services to low-income and homeless men and women suffering from addiction and HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia. ODAAT was founded in 1983 by Reverend Henry T. Wells when he opened his home to a group of recovering addicts, laying the groundwork for a peer-based/community-based recovery program. Since then, ODAAT has increased its scope and impact to include transitional housing facilities, comprehensive case management services, and services to address the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the addicted community. ODAAT is a program of Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition.
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One Day At A Time Rev. Henry T. Wells, Founder - Mel Wells, President 2532 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132 (215) 226-7860 phone (215) 226-7869 fax www.odaat.us A Program of Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition
HIV Facts:
Gay and bisexual men accounted for a significantly greater proportion of estimated new infections nation-wide in the United States in 2006 than any other risk group.
Philadelphia statistics however reported heterosexual's accounted for the largest population.
Each year, more than 40,000 people become newly infected with HIV in the United States.
That's 109 new infections per day or 1 new infection every 13 minutes.
HIV Fact:
In the United States, men account for 73% of new infections. Philadelphia reports African American women are the fastest growing population.
The CDC estimates that one-quarter of HIV-infected people are unaware of their HIV infection and that these cases account for 54-70% of all new infections.
HIV Facts:
Injection drug use (IDU) accounted for 12% of estimated new HIV infections in the United States in 2006.
Philadelphia reported a slightly higher statistic of 13%.
HIV Fact:
In 2006 the rate of new HIV infections among non-Hispanic blacks was 7 times the rate among whites. Hispanics saw a rate 3 times that of the white population. Whites accounted for 35% of estimated new HIV infections. Asians/Pacific Islanders accounted for roughly 2% and American Indians/Alaska Natives accounted for roughly 1%.
HIV Facts:
High-risk heterosexual contact accounted for 31% of estimated new HIV infections in the United States in 2006.
Philadelphia reported 55% in the same population.
Every 13 minutes another person becomes infected with the HIV virus in the United States.
HIV Facts:
The CDC estimates that African Americans are more severely and disproportionately affected by HIV than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States.
More infections occur among young people under 30 than any other age group. Persons 30-39 have the second highest infection rate.
HIV Facts:
One in every two people living with HIV in the United States is Black. Philadelphia reports 67%of new infections are African Americans.
2006 CDC data indicates about half of the just over 1 million Americans living with HIVS or AIDS are black.
HIV Facts:
The CDC recommends that everyone in the US aged 13-64, regardless of perceived risk, get tested for HIV to help stop the spread of the disease.
It also recommends that sexually active gay and bisexual men be tested for HIV at LEAST once a year.
