EDGE Providence

Several hundred participants gathered at Roger Williams Memorial Park in Providence on Sunday, Oct. 25, for AIDS Project Rhode Island’s 22nd annual Walk for Life. The event raises thousands of dollars for the agency’s programs and services.

The 3 kilometer walk took the walkers through parts of the city’s Fox Point neighborhood and through the East Side. More than $29,000 has been raised, with the majority of the money from on-line donations.

According to 2007 statistics, 2,926 cases of AIDS had been diagnosed in Rhode Island residents. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 1.1 million adults and adolescents are living with HIV in the USA, including those not yet diagnosed, and including those who have already progressed to AIDS.

Mayor David Cicilline, who walked with a large contingent of volunteers, presented a check for $10,000 to AIDS Project Rhode Island. Cicilline praised APRI’s education, advocacy, and outreach programs, noting the significance of the work the organization does on behalf of those afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

"AIDS is a very serious pandemic in our country and our world," Cicilline said. Cicilline lauded APRI’s new Executive Director Stephen Hourahan, noting Hourahan would bring "great leadership and great dedication" to the organization.

Hourahan is a past board member and chairman of APRI, and was presented with the organization’s Richard Katzoff Leadership Award in 2008. He pointed out Cicillines having been a "committed volunteer" at APRI, and said the mayor had kept HIV/AIDS at the forefront of public life in the state.

APRI has undergone some major changes in the past few years; first, the agency merged with Family Service of Rhode Island. Earlier this year, Al Wroblewski, the Executive Director of APRI, was let go. The organization also suffered the departure of Development Director Stephen Hogan.

Hourahan said APRI’s affiliation with Family Service had been a "big success", adding the staff of APRI were "talented" and "committed."

APRI recently teamed up with AIDS Care Ocean State to present Gay Bingo, a monthly event hosted by drag queen Miss Kitty Litter, who was among the top fundraisers for this year’s Walk.

The Walk for Life was delayed from June to October to allow more high-school and college students to participate. Many students from Bryant University, Rhode Island College, and Johnson and Wales University were among the walkers in Sunday’s event. The Walk for Life was sponsored by the Cardi Bros, Textron, and the City of Providence.

AIDS Project Rhode Island offers a variety of programs including case management, mental health and substance abuse treatment and safety net services, such as emergency rental and utility payments. The organization also offers a meal site and a drop-in center.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is located at 404 Wickenden St., Providence, phone 401-831-5522.