On Thursday, March 10, the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (ALCC) and Windy City Times will host the 17th annual Advocates of the Year Awards to recognize outstanding local men and women who are making a difference in the lives of people with HIV. The reception will be held at the studios of the Joffrey Ballet at 10 E. Randolph and will feature a performance by noted National Poetry Slam champion Lisa Buscani.
Started in 1994, the Awards acknowledge unsung heroes who seek to improve the quality of life of people with HIV and work to combat the spread of AIDS through advocacy, medical care and case management. "These men and women are on the frontlines of the epidemic and represent some of the most dedicated people in HIV care and advocacy today," explains ALCC Executive Director Ann Hilton Fisher. "We proudly pay tribute to them for inspiring us with their passion and reminding us why their work continues to matter."
This year's honorees were selected by a committee of previous award recipients who reviewed nominations submitted by the public last January. Windy City Times joined the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago as a co-presenter and panelist of the committee, capping a transition process that was started several years ago to allow for more community input and transparency in the selection of honorees.
For more information about the Advocates of the Year Awards or to learn how you can nominate someone for the 2012 Awards, please contact Ricardo Cifuentes, Director of Development of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago at 312-427-8990. Tickets can be purchased by phone or online at www.aidslegal.com .
Arick Buckles
When Arick finally came to terms with his own HIV diagnosis, he found himself embarking on a path of discovery that would not only allow him to overcome his own personal challenges, but would lead him to become an impassioned advocate for other people with HIV. That path started at Chicago House and Social Service Agency where, as a client, Arick began sharing his story and inspiring other clients to regain control of their lives. Hired by Chicago House as a Medication Adherence Specialist, Arick quickly became focused on helping clients manage their health by identifying and resolving issues that kept them from taking their HIV medications. Today, Arick works for the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center where he re-engages clients who have fallen out of medical care. He also advocates for people with HIV at the city, state and national levels, helps educate the public about issues impacting people with HIV and gives his time as a support group facilitator at Jackson Park Hospital.
Cathy Krieger
As the Children's Place Association commemorates 20 years of service, we proudly pay tribute to its visionary president and CEO, Cathy Krieger. Since opening its doors in 1991, the Children's Place Association has been a home and beacon for countless families and children coping with HIV. Under Cathy's leadership, the Children's Place has grown from an agency of two staff members to an internationally renowned organization of more than 80 employees. It provides an integrated array of services, including specialized day care, early learning programs, support groups for new mothers and HIV-positive teens, mental health counseling, housing, respite care and a foster care program. In keeping with Cathy's global vision, Children's Place International was born in 2007, bringing the expertise and success of the Children's Place to other pediatric AIDS programs throughout the world, including Africa and the Caribbean.
Blake Max, PharmD
Dedicated and hardworking hardly begin to describe Blake Max, PharmD. As the HIV Clinical Pharmacist at the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, Blake has been counseling HIV patients and advising providers about the optimal use of antiretrovirals and other medications for the past 13 years. His peers credit him with a level of expertise in HIV therapeutics matched by few in the field and seek him out constantly for his extensive knowledge on treatment. But it is his good-natured focus on patient service that has undoubtedly made him one of the most beloved figures at the CORE Center. Blake always takes time to see patients and providers who arrive at his door and answers their questions about treatment with great patience and clarity. As a clinical pharmacist and educator, Blake makes a tremendous contribution toward the excellent quality of medical care that patients routinely receive at the CORE Center.
Jessica Terlikowski
As policy manager at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Jessica Terlikowski led tough fights to promote sexual health, develop harm reduction strategies for drug users and help advocates in other Midwest and Southern states become more effective in their fight against HIV. She is now at AIDS United. She was instrumental in starting the Chicago Female Condom Campaign by bringing together a coalition of agencies to increase awareness of and access to the female condom. She leads the Midwest AIDS Policy Alliance (MAPA) made up of advocates and agencies from across the Midwest working together to share winning strategies and tools to make HIV a priority for state and federal policymakers. Jessica has also been one of the driving forces behind the Illinois Coalition for Harm Reduction Providers (ICHRP) and creating a cohesive and impactful harm reduction component to HIV prevention efforts among drug users.