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April 30, 2008

H.O.P.E. INC
BE IN THE KNOW

By: ms.cyntje
From Our Apr. - May 2008 Issue

H.O.P.E., Inc. (Helping Others in a Positive Environment) is a 501(C)3 nonprofit community-based organization established in the Virgin Islands in 2000.  HOPE is funded through grants given by the CDCP’s office of Women & Minority Health.  CORE spoke with Ivy Moses, the CEO and founder, of HOPE to find out more information about the organization and how it serves the VI community.

HOPE began as a voluntary agency that provided HIV/AIDS prevention services to public schools.  Since 2002 HOPE has expanded its services to include chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity.  Over the years HOPE has spearheaded prevention and awareness efforts as well as provided counseling and financial support to persons living with and affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. 

Over 1% of the population in the Virgin Islands is living with the HIV/AIDS virus, most of which do not know their status.  HOPE’s 2008 “Be in the Know” campaign encourages persons between the ages of 15 to 84 who are sexually active, at risks or unsure of their current status to get tested.  “We can end this global pandemic by knowing our status” says Ivy Moses.  “HOPE is making a difference, annually the numbers for persons who get tested has increased from 319 in 2004 to 989 in 2007 so far in 2008 we have tested 300 persons.   We work in conjunction with the St. Thomas East-End Clinic and the Department of Health as well as private physicians to refer infected persons for treatment.”

In addition to awareness HOPE hosts (3) health fairs annually where they do health screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  HOPE also administers various community outreach programs like: Sista, VOICES, Girlfriends, Mini HIV, HIV 101, Senir, Meals-On-Wheels, and Health-On-Wheels.   To find out more information about HOPE or how you can know more about your health status check out http://www.hopeincvi.org