Many individuals can remember the AIDS epidemic of the early 1980’s. There was fear, confusion, and uncertainty of this new disease and how it originated. Thirty years later, the transmission rates are lower, but still at a staggering rate for the medical advances and prevention education available to the public. Every 9.5 minutes, an individual contracts the disease, and up to 25% of people do not know they are infected.

The AIDS Project of Centre and Clinton counties proudly continues to serve the community by providing prevention education in both counties. TAP has been providing services since 1988 and is based in State College with workers available for programs throughout Centre and Clinton counties. The AIDS Project is committed to remembering and educating the community regarding those who have been lost, those who are currently fighting, and to remember that this virus can be defeated.

The AIDS Project’s Prevention Education program includes educational materials, risk reduction materials, programs in the community, testing for high risk individuals, and individualized plans as needed. TAP is currently funded through local grants, fundraising efforts, and the generosity of the community. For more information regarding obtaining services or to make a donation, please contact The AIDS Project, 141 West Beaver Avenue, State College, or at 814-234-7087.

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Dearest Friends & Fellow Earthlings,

I have some wonderful news to share. Over the next 3 days - Dec. 20-22 - an unprecedented wave of LOVE AND KINDNESS will traverse the entire planet. How do I know this? Because I am one of the 17,248 signatories who have already pledged — as I send this message — to make it so.

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How to Be Honest Without Being Harsh

1. Focus on how you present your honest assessment of any situation. This is the most important part of reducing any sense of harshness––the how of delivery matters. Begin from a position of kindness, of acceptance that it is better to be tactfully honest than to let someone go on believing something that isn't true. Be prepared to stick to the objective, identifiable facts and avoid making emotional observations. Act from the goodness of exposing a problem in need of a solution. And be aware that this is a communication skill––as with all skills, it will take time and practice to perfect, with a good dose of humility thrown in.
   • Consider the person with whom you must be honest. Don't be brash or too pointed where the person is usually shy or very sensitive. Take into account their nature when adapting your message. There will be a different approach between telling your best friend something delicate and motivating a slack co-worker with whom you're trying to complete a project.
      
   • If you need to rehearse, do so! It is much better to have gone over what you're going to say to iron out any insensitive or thoughtless comments that might crop up through nervousness or an over-willingness to "set things right". It won't make you sound forced; practice will actually help you to work through whether this is the right thing to do, and which words are the right ones to use.