The Palm Beach County Community Services Department and HIV CARE Council are pleased to announce the second annual Communitywide Health & Wellness Festival which will be held on Nov 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Loading Ramp located at 524 SW Avenue "C" Place, Belle Glade. The festival is free and open to the public and will feature HIV and HCV testing, raffle prizes, and information booths.  Free refreshments will be provided.

This year, the festival focuses on the importance of ending discrimination against individuals with HIV/AIDS. Some of the goals for this event are to:

• Provide information about social services and programs
• Increase opportunities for employment and skill development
• Increase awareness of safe sexual practices
• Provide information on PrEP/PEP prevention and the importance of HIV testing
• Provide information on issues related to substance use disorder and mental health
• Provide information on the Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council and help increase its membership
• Provide opportunities for networking among community leaders, residents, and medical/social service providers

 
"More than eight thousand Palm Beach County residents are living with HIV and one new infection occurs almost every day. This event is a valuable way to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, substance use disorder, and mental health issues and to help educate the public," said Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council Chair Chris Dowden. "We look forward to continue creating initiatives that help us and our community partners take action to stop the spread of HIV in the community."

The HIV CARE Council's vision is to create a community where individuals with HIV/AIDS can live without prejudice, abandonment, or social stigma, and are provided with a comprehensive range of medical and support services that assure their wellness, independence, and self-sufficiency.

To register go to https://communitywidefestivalpbc.eventbrite.com. For more information about the festival or the Council, contact Neeta Mahani at nmahani@pbcgov.org.