By Brittany Boddy
AIDS Services Coalition Outreach center is a government-funded organization that provides free Aids and HIV testing to people in Hattiesburg and surrounding areas.
Tony Jones, HIV Testing Coordinator, discussed his job at the organization as well as the importance of knowing more about testing, and the disease itself.
“Mississippi is number one in the nation for new infections among ages 13 to 24 year olds, that is a very scary statistic,” said Jones.
He explained that there are two main attitudes that people have about getting tested.
“The main attitude is if they're gay, “I’m gonna get it eventually anyway so what does it matter,” he said. “Or either the attitude, “If I get tested and find out, I will have to change what I am doing and I don’t want to…so it’s best to not know.”
ASC has educational forums, health fairs, community involvement events and condom distributions.
The organization not only has projects and events but also housing for people with this virus. Connie Miller, Support Service Coordinator for the ASC housing coalition for persons with Aids and HIV, explained the housings for people who have the disease.
“We offer housing opportunities for persons whose HIV positive or have a member of the family that’s HIV positive,” said Miller. The housing helps the clients find jobs, helps with medication, and gives them a place to live until they get on their feet.
ASC reaches out to different communities, high schools and colleges to inform both teens and adults about the disease and the steps they can use to keep themselves protected and safe.
Tony Jones, HIV Testing Coordinator, discussed his job at the organization as well as the importance of knowing more about testing, and the disease itself.
“Mississippi is number one in the nation for new infections among ages 13 to 24 year olds, that is a very scary statistic,” said Jones.
He explained that there are two main attitudes that people have about getting tested.
“The main attitude is if they're gay, “I’m gonna get it eventually anyway so what does it matter,” he said. “Or either the attitude, “If I get tested and find out, I will have to change what I am doing and I don’t want to…so it’s best to not know.”
ASC has educational forums, health fairs, community involvement events and condom distributions.
The organization not only has projects and events but also housing for people with this virus. Connie Miller, Support Service Coordinator for the ASC housing coalition for persons with Aids and HIV, explained the housings for people who have the disease.
“We offer housing opportunities for persons whose HIV positive or have a member of the family that’s HIV positive,” said Miller. The housing helps the clients find jobs, helps with medication, and gives them a place to live until they get on their feet.
ASC reaches out to different communities, high schools and colleges to inform both teens and adults about the disease and the steps they can use to keep themselves protected and safe.
By Andre'El Brown, Myka Barnes, and Brittany Boddy