(PALM SPRINGS, CA – September 18, 2008)
As part of its continuing outreach to the eastern Coachella Valley, Desert AIDS Project has been supporting Fiesta Campesina since it was founded in 2006 to improve access to quality, affordable health care services and education. This year’s fair will be held at the Mecca Community Park at 65250 Cahuilla Street in Mecca on Wednesday, September 24 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM.
The Fiesta Campesina Cultural and Health Fair celebrates agricultural workers by recognizing their contribution with awards, free food and music, family activities, prizes, health screenings, and much more.
“Although Latinos nationwide make up about 14% of the population, they represented 22% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 2006. D.A.P. wants to encourage everyone to learn their HIV status and, for those testing positive, to get into care,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “But we know there are significant barriers beyond just language and culture, to putting these messages across. Almost all of those within D.A.P.’s Education, Prevention & Testing Services Department are Spanish bilingual. These community educators go to where they are needed, to put across our message of the need to practice safer sex and to be tested for HIV.”
The Fiesta Campesina Task Force is a part of the Eastern Coachella Valley Social Change Collaborative. In addition to Desert AIDS Project, its partnering organizations include Poder Popular, the California Rural Legal Assistance Corporation, Riverside County Migrant Education Program, Coachella Valley Teachers Association, and the Coachella Valley Unified School District.
Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information call 760-323-2118.
