Non-Profit Reaches Out To Low-Income AIDS Patients
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As people throughout the world mark World AIDS Day Monday, NY1's Cheryl Wills takes a look at a program in the city that offers nutrition advice and serves food to people living with HIV and AIDS. Johnny Tunstell has been living with HIV since 1993. With the help of the non-profit group The Momentum Project, he says his health has improved.
"When I first started off, my T-cells were at a count of 3, now they're up to 300 and something," says Tunstell.
Every year, the Momentum Project helps more than 3,000 low-income individuals living with HIV and AIDS by providing food and nutritional services, like hot meals and pantry bags. It's crucial, organizers say, to their clients' health.
"If you're not eating properly, the medication you take will not work properly," says nutritionist Edwin Krales. "And if you don't eat properly, and this has been proven countless times, it has a negative effect on your immune system and your immune system is what you use to fight off all diseases."
Momentum also offers clients services related to healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and housing. The project is set up at nine churches throughout the city, including the Church of St Paul the Apostle on the Upper West Side.
"They're able to bring in a broader community base so that we're able now to provide services without having to incur a lot of expenses," explains Jose Belizario, an administrator for the Momentum Project. "So, churches are what make it possible for us to function this way."
This year, Momentum was acquired by the non-profit healthcare organization, Village Care of New York. Emma Devito of Village Care says the economic downturn means the group may not be able to meet the growing need in the coming years.
"The projections are that the cuts are going to be very, very severe for 2009 and 2010," says Devito. "So we really are anticipating increased demand and reduced funding."
Tunstell says he has to turn to Momentum for food assistance because it's extremely difficult to keep up with rising prices.
"My $176 in food stamps isn't worth what it used to be," he says. "So, with Momentum helping me with groceries, I can spend my food stamps in meat alone."
To learn more about the Momentum Project, go to TheMomentumProject.org.