About 200 people attended HIV/AIDS agency Project VIDA's 20th anniversary "Faces of a Legend" masquerade ball at the National Museum of Mexican Art Oct. 24. The gala featured a showcase of Project VIDA's partnerships, collaborations and supporters along with a number of performances, speeches and a buffet dinner.
The evening began with a welcome message from Project VIDA's new executive director, Michael Henderson, who spoke about the agency's mission and the services and programs that the Project VIDA team provides.
La Mas Mejor, Chamilla Foxx, Venus Carangi, Alfredo Flores and Josh provided the entertainment. Masks and artwork were also on sale throughout the evening.
Dr. Lisa Henry-Reid, chairperson of the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Stroger Hospital of Cook County, gave the keynote address. In her remarks, Henry-Reid said, "There is still much work to be accomplished in our collective fight to make HIV/AIDS a thing of the past."
Henry-Reid also noted President Obama's national HIV/AIDS strategy and the ways that minority populations are affected by HIV/AIDS. She also specifically mentioned a number of Project VIDA's programs, including two that target the LGBTQ population: the Resources, Advocacy, Inclusion, Community, Education and Services (RAICES) program and the Committed Responsible United program.
Four awards were given out during the gala. Henry-Reid received the Wellness Award, Enlace Chicago received the Recognition Award and two Project VIDA volunteers received honors as well.
Project VIDA Health Educator John Dawkins spoke about his 10-year involvement with the organization and Ald. Richardo Munoz (who was also a co-sponsor of the gala) challenged audience members to match his donation of $250. Gala attendee Monica Briseno matched Munoz's donation and then raised her donation to $500. Munoz matched Briseno and donated $500 himself.
The proceeds from the gala will support Project VIDA's violence prevention, health education, outreach, testing, counseling and wellness services as well as programs that assist those living with HIV/AIDS.
Annually, Project VIDA serves more than 3,700 clients and community members through direct services and support/prevention programs.
See www.projectvida.org for more information.
