CRIA News

Treatment Education Program Expands

CRIA's Treatment Education Program was recently awarded two grants to further its mission of reaching underserved communities affected by HIV. The New York State AIDS Institute and Glaxo Wellcome have given awards that will promote our treatment education efforts focusing on substance users and the homeless. Individuals from these groups have traditionally encountered many obstacles to receiving medical care. With the growing rate of HIV infection in these groups, CRIA's education program aims at providing the critical information they need to access medical care and understand the complexities of HIV treatments. CRIA will be working with a number of AIDS service organizations to educate their staff and clients about HIV healthcare advances. Interested organizations that serve substance users, whether active, in recovery or in a methadone maintenance program, and those who provide services to the homeless are encouraged to contact CRIA's education department to receive our free services. For more information please call 212-924-3934.

CRIA's New Home

CRIA moved to a new home on November 26th, Thanksgiving eve. We have much to be thankful for. For the first time in our agency's history, CRIA has a clinic which has been designed specifically to promote our clinical research and HIV treatment education mission. This move, which was precipitated by the unexpected loss of our lease at the previous Chelsea location, has given our researchers and educators a unique opportunity to work in an environment that will best contribute to improving HIV healthcare. Our new facility in the Garment District of Manhattan is centrally located between New York City's two largest transportation hubs at 42nd Street/Times Square and 34th Street/Pennsylvania Station, making it easily accessible to the PLWA community throughout the New York Metropolitan region. Most importantly, we have been able to secure a 10 year lease at a rental rate substantially lower than what we were paying at our old site, giving us a greater degree of operating stability over a sustained period than we have had at anytime in our past. Although construction of the new space is not finished, and will likely continue through January, we are proud of the fact that our major relocation has been accomplished without disruption to any ongoing study. We look forward to welcoming the community of PLWAs and our many supporters to a housewarming at the new clinic shortly after construction is completed.

Staff Member Receives Mayoral Appointment

CRIA is proud to announce that David Pieribone, our Director of Treatment Education, has been appointed as a full member to the HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council of New York by Mayor Giuliani. The council is responsible for determining the priorities and allocations for use of Federal funds received under Title I of the Ryan White CARE Act, and recommends a comprehensive plan for the delivery of HIV-related services.

We Need Your Help

CRIA's important mission depends on volunteer support. In addition to individuals to help out at our reception desk, we are also looking for new members to join our Community Advisory Board (CAB). This group is composed of people living with HIV/AIDS who provide guidance for our many education initiatives. If you are interested in volunteering at CRIA, please call 212-924-3934.