The Bethel ANGELS, an organization that works to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, will receive an award for its efforts from the National HIV/AIDS Partnership next week.
The award comes at a crossroads for the organization, which is without a permanent home, seeking more funding and looking to transition from a faith-based offshoot to a non-profit organization.
The Bethel ANGELS, part of Bethel A.M.E. Church on Spring Street, were selected from 120 nominees in the categories of communications, programs and policy.
The Morristown-based organization, which stands for AIDS Network Giving Education, Love and Support, was one of three recipients of the program award, which recognizes programs that change the behaviors of a community toward AIDS and encourages awareness or acceptance of those affected by the disease.
A Morristown first
It is the first group from Morristown to win an award from the NHAP, said Josh Sekine, a spokesman for NHAP.
"They were chosen really because of their dedication to the African-American community in Morristown," Sekine said.
The local organization is best known for its auxiliary group of women who knit quilts in the memory of loved ones who have died from the disease.
So far, the group has made six of the 12-foot-square-foot quilts of 48 panels, that were attached to other quilts by the national AIDS quilt organization. They have also made about 160 quilts commemorating infants and children killed by the disease.
But the organization's focus more recently has been on encouraging AIDS testing. ANGELS has brought in professionals to conduct the 20-minute "rapid test," at various locations and events in Morristown, said Emma Martin, an ANGELS founder.
Martin said that the organization had to battle stigma surrounding AIDS testing, but the message seems to have gotten through to younger generations.
"We found that young people are more ready to do it than older," Martin said.
Local complications
The fact that ANGELS deals primarily with the Morristown community also somewhat complicates matters, said Rev. Alfonso Sherald, pastor of the church.
"I think Morristown people are afraid to do it because Morristown is small and they're afraid of (being seen) walking up for AIDS testing," Sherald said.
Sekine said that the testing was likely one of the reasons the group was chosen to get the award.
"Not only are they giving these educational programs, but they are giving people the opportunity to get tested in a non-intimidating way," Sekine said.
The organization also holds workshops for men, women, children and the elderly on everything from general HIV/AIDS knowledge to the topic of men in heterosexual relationships who also secretly have sex with men.
The ANGELS also provide transportation for those afflicted with AIDS to doctor's appointments, pharmacies, supermarkets or wherever they need to go.
Sekine also cited the ANGELS' week of prayer for the healing of HIV and AIDS, their partnership with the Eric Johnson House in Morristown and Hope House in Dover, and various other events and services.
Pleasant surprise
Martin, who nominated the ANGELS group for the award, said she was "pleasantly surprised," when she was told they had beaten out other nominees, who she expected to be tough competitors, especially given the organization's small size.
"I think they probably looked at what we provide to the community, the knowledge, the workshops the closeness to the community," Martin said. "The dedication and commitment and out concern over HIV and AIDS. All of that I think probably helped to bring about this award."
Sekine said that the award may put the ANGELS in consideration to become a partner organization of NHAP. That would allow the ANGELS to call on the national organization for guest speakers, materials and other support, as well as allow NHAP to do the same with the ANGELS.
Among the high-profile figures who are NHAP partners are Baby Phat clothing company president Kimora Lee Simmons, BET personality AJ Calloway, and the late Corretta Scott King.
"Their model of how they do it is something other communities should take up, not only in the African-American communities," Sekine said.
Big vision
The 10 to 12 members who formed ANGELS in 1999 runs on a budget of about $15,000 and is funded by the African American Fund of New Jersey and donations from the Bethel A.M.E. Church congregation.
The organization has been without a home for about a month, after being evicted from offices in the residents' center of Manahan Village. They are currently operating in the church.
While looking for more sources of money, the ANGELS also are aiming to establish themselves as a nonprofit organization.
Daily Record - Nov. 25, 2006
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