April is widely recognized for National Volunteer Awareness Month. In honor of National Volunteer Month, I would like to highlight the importance of volunteers. In the non-profit world, “volunteers make the world go around.” Without volunteers, nothing can get done.
Even though many charities have staff, without the volunteer board members and officers an organization cannot operate. The board of directors governs the agency. They make decisions, set policies and procedures and are responsible for the organization. They are the stewards to ensure that the agency follows its mission and is accountable to the community.
As a part of the United Way family, I have been blessed to work with some amazing people and non-profit organizations. My focus this week is on a few that are 100% volunteer operated. Last week, I shared about the Kidney Foundation of Laredo that falls into that category. The Laredo HSDA HIV/AIDS Service Consortia is another agency that falls into that bracket. The Consortia is 100% volunteer driven.
April is widely recognized for National Volunteer Awareness Month. In honor of National Volunteer Month, I would like to highlight the importance of volunteers. In the non-profit world, “volunteers make the world go around.” Without volunteers, nothing can get done.
Even though many charities have staff, without the volunteer board members and officers an organization cannot operate. The board of directors governs the agency. They make decisions, set policies and procedures and are responsible for the organization. They are the stewards to ensure that the agency follows its mission and is accountable to the community.
As a part of the United Way family, I have been blessed to work with some amazing people and non-profit organizations. My focus this week is on a few that are 100% volunteer operated. Last week, I shared about the Kidney Foundation of Laredo that falls into that category. The Laredo HSDA HIV/AIDS Service Consortia is another agency that falls into that bracket. The Consortia is 100% volunteer driven.
Maria Elena Montemayor is the agency’s president of the board.
“The volunteer board of directors is multidisciplinary with members that are in the medical field, religious field, active HIV/AIDS client, and other disciplines interested in assisting HIV/AIDS clients,” Montemayor said. “The Laredo HSDA HIV/AIDS Service Consortia has been in operation since 1991. The Consortia initially began as a partnership with the City of Laredo Health Department. We had a Memorandum of Understanding with them to help administer the state grant funds and oversee the service provided to HIV/ AIDS clients. With the support of the Consortia, we were able to fill in the gaps where state funding could not help clients.
“The Consortia assists with supplemental services such as food, gas, prescriptions, supplies and specialized doctor’s appointments. The eligibility criteria are that you have a confirmed diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and that you live in the Webb or Zapata County area. There are no fees charged to clients nor are they required to donate anything.
“Over the years, the life expectancy for a patient diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS has changed due to earlier detection, intervention, education and improved regime treatments. While this is a positive factor for those affected with HIV/AIDS, it greatly increases the cost of treating clients over their lifetimes. The majority of active cases live at or below the current Federal Poverty Level guidelines.”
The Consortia recently lost a few of its board members, the late Dr. Henry Carranza, Vernette Carranza (his wife) and the late George Donavan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the organizations as they continue to help clients in need.
The last Dr. Carranza was also part of the creation of another 100% volunteer organization. Laredo Organized Volunteers for the Elderly and Disadvantaged, better known as “LOVED”.
Maria Elena Montemayor is the agency’s president of the board.
“The volunteer board of directors is multidisciplinary with members that are in the medical field, religious field, active HIV/AIDS client, and other disciplines interested in assisting HIV/AIDS clients,” Montemayor said. “The Laredo HSDA HIV/AIDS Service Consortia has been in operation since 1991. The Consortia initially began as a partnership with the City of Laredo Health Department. We had a Memorandum of Understanding with them to help administer the state grant funds and oversee the service provided to HIV/ AIDS clients. With the support of the Consortia, we were able to fill in the gaps where state funding could not help clients.
“The Consortia assists with supplemental services such as food, gas, prescriptions, supplies and specialized doctor’s appointments. The eligibility criteria are that you have a confirmed diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and that you live in the Webb or Zapata County area. There are no fees charged to clients nor are they required to donate anything.
“Over the years, the life expectancy for a patient diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS has changed due to earlier detection, intervention, education and improved regime treatments. While this is a positive factor for those affected with HIV/AIDS, it greatly increases the cost of treating clients over their lifetimes. The majority of active cases live at or below the current Federal Poverty Level guidelines.”
The Consortia recently lost a few of its board members, the late Dr. Henry Carranza, Vernette Carranza (his wife) and the late George Donavan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the organizations as they continue to help clients in need.
The last Dr. Carranza was also part of the creation of another 100% volunteer organization. Laredo Organized Volunteers for the Elderly and Disadvantaged, better known as “LOVED”.
SCAN’s Recovery support services are designed to increase the occurrence of long-term recovery from substance use disorders among youth and adults. Recovery support services may precede treatment, accompany treatment, follow treatment or be delivered separately from treatment. SCAN hasaYouth Recovery Community Service. It has peer-to-peer recovery support services for individuals between the ages of 13-21 withahistory of substance use disorders. It also has the Todo Es Posible recovery support program, which provides support services for adults 18 and older. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and cultural diversity. Intervention services provide both youth and adults the opportunity to participate in a variety of evidence-based and informed programs that are designed to effectively intervene once behavioral problems have been identified. For the youth, SCAN offers an Emergency Youth Shelter that provides temporary residential service for children and adolescents. FAYS Program is designed to build resilience and strengthen families in order to keep children safe and families connected. It offers crisis intervention, counseling and short-term respite care for families. Rural Border Intervention (RBI) is a substance intervention program for youth and adults living in region 8.
SCAN offers a multitude of program and services for youth, adolescents, adults and families in need. For more information on their services please visit their website at www.scan-inc.org. You can also contact them by calling 956.724.3177 or emailing them at info@scan-inc.org.
Area Health Education Center (AHEC): Managing Chronic Pain: The Mental Health Connection (Virtual Seminar)
This virtual seminar is scheduled for Friday, March 6th from 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Arielle Guillod, M.A. from UT Health San Antonio will be the guest speaker for the seminar. For more information, email hmedellin@mrgbahec.org or contact AHEC at 956-712- 0037.
Imaginarium Of South Texas: Aep Light Up The Night
Join us for the AEP Light up the Night on Friday, March 6th from 6-9 p.m. at the Imaginarium located the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956-728-0404.
Laredo Main Street: Farmers Market
The next Farmers Market will be happening on Saturday, March 14th , from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo! Each month features a unique theme, seasonal activities and exciting workshops. Every visit is a new and memorable experience. Whether you’re shopping for fresh ingredients, supporting local artisans, ore enjoying live entertainment, the Farmers Market is the place to be. For more information email: lmsevents01@gmail.com.
Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS): Dog & Puppy Supplies
LAPS is requesting assistance with food, pet items and cleaning supplies for their shelter. Items include Heavy-duty trash bags, paper towels, adult & puppy canned food, vinegar, degreaser, dog treats, sharpie pens and more. Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 2500 Gonzalez St.
Laredo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Free tax help is here! The Laredo VITA program has IRS Certified Preparers ready to help you. Don’t stress about your taxes – let a qualified volunteer handle it for you. Call 956-307-8138 or visit www.vitalaredo.org. If you have an upcoming community event or information on a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, email me at 956cuidandolonuestro@gmail.com.
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
SCAN’s Recovery support services are designed to increase the occurrence of long-term recovery from substance use disorders among youth and adults. Recovery support services may precede treatment, accompany treatment, follow treatment or be delivered separately from treatment. SCAN hasaYouth Recovery Community Service. It has peer-to-peer recovery support services for individuals between the ages of 13-21 withahistory of substance use disorders. It also has the Todo Es Posible recovery support program, which provides support services for adults 18 and older. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and cultural diversity. Intervention services provide both youth and adults the opportunity to participate in a variety of evidence-based and informed programs that are designed to effectively intervene once behavioral problems have been identified. For the youth, SCAN offers an Emergency Youth Shelter that provides temporary residential service for children and adolescents. FAYS Program is designed to build resilience and strengthen families in order to keep children safe and families connected. It offers crisis intervention, counseling and short-term respite care for families. Rural Border Intervention (RBI) is a substance intervention program for youth and adults living in region 8.
SCAN offers a multitude of program and services for youth, adolescents, adults and families in need. For more information on their services please visit their website at www.scan-inc.org. You can also contact them by calling 956.724.3177 or emailing them at info@scan-inc.org.
Area Health Education Center (AHEC): Managing Chronic Pain: The Mental Health Connection (Virtual Seminar)
This virtual seminar is scheduled for Friday, March 6th from 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Arielle Guillod, M.A. from UT Health San Antonio will be the guest speaker for the seminar. For more information, email hmedellin@mrgbahec.org or contact AHEC at 956-712- 0037.
Imaginarium Of South Texas: Aep Light Up The Night
Join us for the AEP Light up the Night on Friday, March 6th from 6-9 p.m. at the Imaginarium located the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956-728-0404.
Laredo Main Street: Farmers Market
The next Farmers Market will be happening on Saturday, March 14th , from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo! Each month features a unique theme, seasonal activities and exciting workshops. Every visit is a new and memorable experience. Whether you’re shopping for fresh ingredients, supporting local artisans, ore enjoying live entertainment, the Farmers Market is the place to be. For more information email: lmsevents01@gmail.com.
Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS): Dog & Puppy Supplies
LAPS is requesting assistance with food, pet items and cleaning supplies for their shelter. Items include Heavy-duty trash bags, paper towels, adult & puppy canned food, vinegar, degreaser, dog treats, sharpie pens and more. Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 2500 Gonzalez St.
Laredo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Free tax help is here! The Laredo VITA program has IRS Certified Preparers ready to help you. Don’t stress about your taxes – let a qualified volunteer handle it for you. Call 956-307-8138 or visit www.vitalaredo.org. If you have an upcoming community event or information on a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, email me at 956cuidandolonuestro@gmail.com.
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
Peggy M. Duncan, United Way of Laredo
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