Contacting Us
Meet The CEO
Now almost 31 years into the AIDS epidemic, there are more than 33 million people worldwide living with HIV or AIDS … more than 1.2 million of those in the United States. Here in the Coachella Valley, the continuing threat is even worse than most of the country.
Desert AIDS Project knows that getting “HIV-positive unawares” into care is essential to stopping the further spread of HIV. That’s why D.A.P. provides free and confidential HIV testing at 20 locations identified to target at-risk populations. Unfortunately, we continue to find a 3% HIV-positive rate – three times greater than the national average. But even with a complete loss of state funding for HIV testing prevention and education since 2009, D.A.P. has not missed a single day of providing free tests.
The healthcare and social services D.A.P. provides are essential because 45% of our clients live at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Eighty-eight percent of medical clinic patients are dependent on public insurance programs – or have no insurance at all. And all of the clients served by our dental clinic have an annual income that is less than half that of the average Palm Springs household income. Meanwhile, the number clients accessing housing services increased by 24% and mental health services by 75%.
Since D.A.P.’s founding in 1984, things have rarely looked so bleak for so many who are struggling financially. That’s why the generosity of the sponsors and attendees of the 18th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards has been almost overwhelming. With their help, we believe we are on-track to actually BEAT last year’s gala total of more than $1.3 million raised! Needless to say, that’s a significant contribution to D.A.P.’s current $12.3 million annual budget.
We owe a special debt of gratitude to our Presenting Sponsor, Integrated Wealth Management, for its commitment of $1 million over five years. IWM’s CEO Jim Casey, along with his incredible co-chair, Barbara Keller, has been making the gala more exciting during each of the four years the two have been at the helm. They have also been invaluable for exercising their network of generous contacts who continue to write the sponsorship checks that make it possible for us to put on this show that people now look forward to all year-long.
But support by so many others throughout the year – like those who raise money for our annual Palm Springs AIDS Walk in October, see a Les Dames show, or benefit us by having a meal at a participating restaurant on Dining Out for Life day in April – has been essential. We can’t say “thank you” often enough to our generous and dedicated supporters.
Until there’s a cure ...
David Brinkman, MBA
CEO
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