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Damien Ministries

Damien Ministries is a nonprofit faith-based organization that seeks to improve health and wellness for the underserved through opportunities that provide a continuum of services throughout the District of Columbia

The organization has grown from a small, volunteer-run endeavor to one of the most respected and well-known organizations in the District of Columbia. While our size and scope of programs have grown, the vision of Damien Ministries has stayed the same-a strong and passionate desire to reach out to the people who are living and dying with HIV and AIDS.

In partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Health, Damien Ministries has been an official HIV testing site since 2017.

Contents 1	History 2	Programs 2.1	Food Bank 2.2	Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HEPC) Testing 2.3	Medical Nutrition Therapy 2.4	Medical Case Management 2.5	Non-Medical Case Management - Housing 3	References 4	External links

1. History

Damien Ministries was founded in 1987 by Louis Tesconi [1] to serve the poorest of the poor living with HIV and AIDS, as inspired by the life of the Blessed Father Damien. Damien spent many years on the island of Molokai caring for those with leprosy and helping them to live productive lives. After eleven years caring for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of those in the leper colony, Father Damien contracted leprosy. He continued with his work despite the infection but finally succumbed on Molokai, 15 April 1889. Father Damien has been described as a "martyr of charity".[2] In the Anglican Communion and other Christian denominations, Damien is considered the spiritual patron for leprosy and outcasts.

In 1987, Damien Ministries, Inc., was comprised entirely of volunteers who lived in community with each other and those who were dying of AIDS. By 1996 the organization had hired a full-time, paid executive director and expanded services to include case managers, faith-based outreach, and a food bank.

2. Programs

2.1 Food Bank

The Food Bank program is often our customers first introduction to the organization, whether it’s through a referral from another agency or word of mouth spread from peers who have accessed our services in the past. Customers come in once a week to receive enough groceries to last up to 7 days (3 meals a day). This helps alleviate the financial burden customers struggle under trying to afford basic necessities like rent and food for their families on top of their medical bills and other expenses.

There is no set criteria for assistance. Damien Ministries will provide food for emergencies and for our clients most of whom are below the Federal Poverty level and/or have children. Damien Ministries has partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank [3] in distributing food to the community for several years running.

2.2 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HEPC) Testing

Damien Ministries, an official Washington, DC Department of Health (DCDOH) testing site [4, 5], offers free HIV & HCV testing to reduce the number of new infections, increase the percentage of people living with HIV who know of their infection status, reduce HIV transmission, increase the percentage of newly diagnosed people linked to care and increase the proportion of HIV-diagnosed gay and bisexual men, African Americans, and Latinos with undetectable viral load. These strategies are consistent with the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) [6]

Clients at-risk for HIV (e.g., MSM, IV Drug Use) are eligible to receive Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy which can lower a person’s chances of getting HIV. Our clinic combines your medical and pharmacy visits into one simple stop at no cost!

2.3 Medical Nutrition Therapy

The primary goal is to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) assessment and counseling services for Damien Ministries’ food pantry and case management client population.

As the newest program at Damien Ministries, Medical Nutrition Therapy effectively responds to the Nutritional Support Needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in our client population. This program supports existing programs with the goal of increasing the availability of healthy food as well as low-sodium products, all of which will promote better eating habits and health outcomes related to good nutrition.

A registered dietician performs nutritional assessments, develop meal plans, provide on-going consultation, and reassessment of nutritional needs. The nutrition assessment includes analysis of dietary history and intake, height, weight, pre-illness usual weight, goal weight, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass, and fat.

2.4 Medical Case Management

Damien Ministries (DM) Medical Case Management Services is a collaborative process that facilitates establishing treatment plans to assure that the appropriate medical care is provided to HIV/HCV individuals. The Medical Case Management program includes care assessment, including an interview with individuals either remotely or in-person; assistance in developing, implementing, and coordinating a medical care plan with healthcare providers, as well as the customer; and evaluation of treatment results.

The DM Medical Case Manager evaluates the customer’s medical condition(s) based on the care assessment and acuity results, develops and implements a plan of care with an established medication adherence plan, coordinates medical resources, communicates healthcare needs to the individual and their healthcare provider, monitors the individual’s progress, and promotes cost-effective care.

DM’s s Medical Case Management Services includes: face-to-face communication, telephonic Case Management (TCM), integration with Medical Healthcare Providers and Support Service, and specialized HIV and HCV Disease Management services

2.5 Non-Medical Case Management - Housing

Damien Ministries also offers non-medical case management to assist people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Our case managers work closely with clients to develop a case plan to meet their individual needs. Through our services, a client has access to emergency services, help obtaining relevant benefits, referrals to other organizations that offer services we may not, and help securing permanent housing. We help many clients who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless with obtaining permanent, secure housing.

See also Food Pantry Capital Area Food Bank DC Department of Health (DCDOH) The HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA)

4. References

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-04-01-9001260924-story.html Downes, Patrick (26 April 2013). "St. Damien's feast day not the customary date of death". Hawaii Catholic Herald. Honolulu, HI. Retrieved 4 September 2013. https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/partners/ https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/hiv-testing-sites-dc; https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/hivaids-hepatitis-std-and-tb-administration-hahsta The White House Office of National AIDS Policy. National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. July 2010. https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/overviewexternal icon. Accessed March 9, 2017
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External Links