SEPTEMBER 1, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Community drew new services director away from New York

Kids and community called Ed Gemerchak from New York. An impressive repertoire of HIV/AIDS service was his invitation to Cleveland. And for 17 days he has been the director of services at the AIDS Taskforce.

"I wanted to raise my kids in some place other than New York City," he says laughing but truthfully.

help can be a "full-time job" for those living with HIV/AIDS.

"Case management," he says, "is a form of social work. We might help people access health care or find a good

AIDS

Back in the Bronx he served as director of Positive Living HIV and AIDS Services for the Citizens Advice Bureau. "I formed a coalition of service providers that provided services to people with HIV/AIDS. We advocated for increased welfare benefits and increased city services." He gathered $1.2 million in grants to serve over 500 families.

place to live and access appropriate rent money. We are their advocate and their support person.

For the pilot project the Taskforce was granted $10,000 from the AIDS Funding Collaborative. Funding for the Collaborative came out of the Gund Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, United Way, and Cuyahoga County. When research is completed in December, the Taskforce will make recommendations to further the project.

TASKFORCE

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

A native of Toledo and a University of Notre Dame graduate, Gemerchak has master's degrees in social work and theology. He serves on several committees for HIV/AIDS welfare and the homeless.

"Ed brings a wealth of diverse skills and experience, including community organization, case management, service coordination and advocacy that will support and enhance the mission of the AIDS Taskforce," said Taskforce executive director Chrisse France.

As director of services Gemerchak will oversee the food bank, grant writing for fundraising and case management.

"We are working on a project to streamline case management services for people with HIV/AIDS in Cleveland so we can work cooperatively to give people what they need." The goal is to unify city services, make the system more efficient and avoid duplicated efforts. Currently, Gemerchak says, seeking

Gemerchak, his two young children and his wife Sally Wile, a Presbyterian minister, plan to stay in Cleveland for a while. "So far, we like the city a lot. People have been very welcoming and very warm toward us in my neighborhood and the AIDS service community."

Four new fall programs set

The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland is pleased to announce upcoming programs and workshops for the lesbian and gay community:

September: Men in Touch is a six-week program for gay men focused on assisting participants to reduce the frequency of their high-risk sexual encounters and promoting safer sex as a satisfying approach for men who wish to reduce their chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Men in Touch begins September 12 from 6-8 pm, at

the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center.

October: HIV Negative Gay Men is an open discussion group that will provide advocacy, support, education and prevention for men who identify themselves as gay or bisexual dealing with the stress of remaining HIV negative. Group meetings will be on continuous basis in accordance with the needs of the participants.

November: Womyn In Touch is a six week program designed for gay women focused at raising conscious decision making regarding risks of HIV infection during samesex encounters.

December: Co-Ed (gay women's and men's) group will provide a setting for women

and men to discuss openly issues of pride and community. HIV/AIDS education and prevention issues, as they affect the whole community, will also be discussed.

If enough interest is shown, an HIV-positive Gay Women's Group could be offered. The group would provide advocacy, support, peer counselling, education and a safe environment for women who identify themselves as gay or bisexual, dealing with the stress of living HIV positive.

Other programs are being planned and will be announced at a later date. If you are interested in any of the programs listed above please contact Bridget or Shawn at the Taskforce at 216-621-0766.

Ohio's Largest Futon Retailer!

We print our prices in our complete catalog. We can send you one today.

NORKA FUTON Kent

Cleve. Hts. 1812 Coventry Rd. 371-8489 Lakewood 17621 Detroit Ave. 226-2660 Akron 143 W. Market St. 253-9330 426 E. Main St. Columbus 1042 N. High St.

678-1725 424-9949

Cleveland • Columbus • Lakewood • Akron • Kent

Delivery $10

Set-up always free

Maric G. Bielefeld, PhD,

COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST

INDIVIDONE

COUPLE

LESBIAN GAY ISSUES

SELF-EXPRESSION

THROUGHE VOCATION

PERSONAL

SPRRIICNE G12 OWTIE

COPING WITH NIE DIGNE

OFFIC 1.

899

PROBLEMIS

VOICE MATE

734

8164

WESTGATE PLAZA BUILDING 20325 CENTER RIDGE ROAD (ACCESSED FROM LINDEN ROAD)

MARK A. KIKTA Attorney-At-Law

1398 Edwards, Suite 201 Lakewood, Ohio 44107

General Practice of Law including:

Estate Planning

Taxes Probate❖Wills❖Trusts Business Start-Up✩Corporations Non-Profit Organizations

Free initial consultation

Phone: 216-228-6670 Fax: 216-228-6671 Ensure that your partner is not left out of your estate plan due to the Ohio laws of descent and distribution

...when you need more than just the straight numbers.

000

Ernest Giaco

Certified Public Accountant

3255 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 204 Shaker Heights, OH 44122 (216) 561-1212

PIANO INSTRUCTION

Nelson Harper, Doctor of Musical Arts

Member, Music Teachers National Association Recordings: Vienna Modern Masters

Now accepting private students, Dr. Harper has served on the faculties of Denison University and The Ohio State University, and serves as pianist for Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus.

Lessons include:

Training in classical piano music

Music Theory

Ear Training

Monthly group Master Class

Chamber music and accompanying skills

TERMITE CONTROL SPECIALISTS

QUALITY

CREATURE

S STIRRING

NOT A

PEST CONTROL INC.

•

Home

Business Apartment Industry

CHERYL TAUNT President Prompt, Effective Results Backed by Written Guarantees Clean, Neat Applications of Only EPA-Approved Materials Free Consultation and Estimates Fully Insured & Lice" ed 64 W. Fifth Avenue · Columbus, Ohio 43201

294-BUGS

2 94-28 4 7

COCKROACH

Studio conveniently located in Dennison Place (Victorian Village) area. Please call Nelson Harper at (614) 421-2147 for further information.

TERMITES

ANTS

FLEAS

EARWIGS

TICKS

SPIDERS

MITES

RODENTS

BEES/WASPS|