Wellness Networks Tries Political Lobbying

The past two months have been busy for Wellness Networks. Aside from running our usual support groups for persons with AIDS and HlV-positive testers, we've added a new support group for caregivers and loved ones of PWA's. In addition, we've had a successful training of 20 new volunteers and we've taken our first stab at political lobbying in Lansing.

Wellness Networks is a statewide organization dedicated to the prevention of AIDS and the support of all individuals infected with HIV. The Huron Valley chapter serves not just Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti but also Chelsea, Saline, Dexter, Howell and Jackson, to name a few. Our other chapters are located throughout the Lower Peninsula. On February 7, the entire organization hosted a luncheon in Lansing for our state representatives. The purpose of this luncheon was to let our representatives know who we are and what we do.

As we go to print, the state House and Senate have not yet voted on a large budget cut tor public health. We felt that it was important to inform our representatives of our services, so that they would have a first hand idea of what would lose funding if they were to approve this cut. Although the attendance of representatives for our service area was not what we had hoped it would be, we felt that the response was positive from those who came. More than half of our budget comes from state funding, so this is an issue that we are all very concerned about.

Anyone who would like to see our services continue can attend our monthly board meetings or become a volunteer to join our efforts in supporting PWA's and preventing HlV from spreading. See the calendar for a complete list of support group meeting times.

Wellness Networks, Inc.-Huron Valley, 3075 Clark Rd., Suite 207, Ypsilanti, Ml 48197; 5729355