SEATTLE, WA. (November 24, 2008)

Who knows more about the need for safety nets than Seattle's AIDS and HIV organizations? Not many people, which is why Multifaith Works, Gay City Health Project, Seattle Counseling Service and Dunshee House are observing World AIDS Day on Dec. 4 by encouraging their luncheon guests to develop personal safety nets.

To emphasize the importance of personal networks during crises such as chronic and terminal illnesses, Multifaith Works director Arthur Padilla chose to give those attending his fund-raiser copies of the book, Personal Safety Nets: Getting Ready for Life’s Changes and Challenges.

There’s another reason Padilla chose this book: authors John W. Gibson, Ph.D., and Judy Pigott were inspired by Trudy James, who will be honored at the Dec. 4 event at the Washington State Convention Center for more than a decade of work with Seattle’s AIDS Care Teams, which provide physical, emotional and social support for those living with AIDS.

“Creating a personal safety net is an intentional action that builds interconnected and interdependent communities of friends and family,” explains Pigott, a West Seattle resident long active in Multifaith Works. “The concept of the book and its accompanying workbook is to make us aware of all the resources available to us.”

Tickets to the lunch, the first ever co-sponsored by the groups, are available online at www.strongertogetherlunch.com.

Multifaith Works (www.multifaith.org) was founded by the Rev. Gwen Beighle in 1988 and is a member of the Interfaith Community Ministry Network and the AIDS Coalition of Washington. It provides housing and emotional support to those living with AIDS/HIV and other life-threatening diseases.

Gay City Health Project (www.gay city.org) is a multicultural gay men's health organization which promotes the health of gay and bisexual men and prevents HIV transmission by building community, fostering communication, and nurturing self-esteem.

Seattle Counseling Service (www.Seattle counseling.org) provides counseling for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. It provides assistance at times of life crisis, significant transition, depression, nxiety, abuse, trauma, or addiction.

Dunshee House (www.dunsheehouse.org), established in 1984, is the home of the Seattle AIDS Support Group, which provides emotional support to those affected by HIV/AIDS or other disabilities, and to the larger LGBTQ community.

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