St. Philip House is proud to announce the 7^th Annual Mad Hatter Auction and Gala!  The event will take place May 5^th, 2012 at the Marquee (former G. Fox building) located at 960 Main Street, Hartford CT.

This fun filled event draws crowds of over 300 for dining, dancing, mingling and most of all support for an important cause in Central CT –St. Philip House, its clients and programs!  All funds raised from the event go directly to support the valuable programs that St. Philip House provides.

As everything in life, this year’s event has grown!  The Mad Hatter has decided to provide dual options this year!  You may choose to attend the Gala Event which includes an elegant sit down dinner in the Gershon Ballroom for ($100 per ticket) with live music provided by our favorite band, Avenue Groove, or, you may attend The Mad Tea Party upstairs in the Mezzanine featuring a live DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres and special performances ($50 per ticket).  As a bonus, your $100 ticket to our Gala Event will grant you special access to The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party as well.  Whether you choose our Gala Event or the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, all guests may participate in the silent auction featuring donations from some of CT’s best retailers, restaurants and salons.  Remember, dress to impress at this black tie optional affair  which will  prove to be one of the most memorable evenings of the year!!

Wal-Mart stated “We believe that your organization is doing important work in the communities you serve, and we are proud that we are able to support you in your efforts.  Thank you for the work your organization does to create opportunities so people can live better.”

The funds from this grant will play an important role is sustaining the following portions of the St. Philip House program:

• Providing HIV prevention education and awareness in local educational facilities
• Assisting residents with rent, and utility payments, as needed
• Providing a monthly HIV support group open to anyone in the HIV community
• Providing continued education tuition assistance and job training to St. Philip House clients so they may re-enter the workforce
• Subsidizing extra-curricular activities such as summer and sports camps, lessons in the arts for children of St. Philip clients
• Subsidizing the education needs of children of client’s in the St. Philip House program
• Ensuring transportation to medical appointments, through the St. Philip House vehicle, or assisting with maintenance of client’s vehicles

The clients, staff and board of directors are extremely grateful to the Wal-Mart Foundation for their belief and support of our program.

Read More…

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/25/aids.timeline/index.html

The “Alice in Wonderland”-themed party Saturday at the Hartford Club featured a lot of whimsy when it came to décor, but a lot of sincerity when it came to the cause.

“We started in Plainville 22 years ago,” said executive director Rich Baraglia of the nonprofit St. Philip House, which provides housing, programs and support to people with HIV/AIDS in the Central Connecticut region. “I can’t believe it has been that many years.”

The nonprofit, which also supports an orphanage in Peru, had it all going on when it came to the decorations and the auction items, thanks to a very talented board member, Ovide Cadran.

“He has an event-planning business and spends hours helping us,” said Baraglia, standing amid Wonderland-worthy centerpieces featuring teapots and cups and trays of make-believe cakes and cookies that seemed to defy gravity.

“He makes it happen every year,” said Baraglia of the array of perfectly wrapped silent-auction gift baskets that quickly attracted the attention of the arriving crowd. “He’d be here now for a picture, but he just got done getting everything ready and left to run home to change for the party.”

Our residential house in Plainville boasts 12 one bedroom units with a beautiful sunroom that is used for social gatherings for our clients, as well asgroup meetings. Our administrative offices are also located in the Plainville building. Each of our units include the basics for cooking and living. A stove and microwave, as well as comfortable sleeping arrangements. Additionally our housing program allows us to subsidize rentals throughout the Central Connecticut region.

Case Management

St. Philip House is fortunate to have two caring case managers who work closely with our clients. Our staff is well trained and able to meet the needs of our clients and help them with their basic needs. Our Case Management includes:

• Maintain accurate medical and financial records for our clients
• Providing advocacy on behalf of our clients as needed
• Provide life skills coaching to our clients
• Providing clients with the necessary tools to advocate for themselves
• Provide coordination of medical, legal, educational and/or occupational needs
• Develop and individualized Case Plan to promote the individual empowerment of our clients to live independently while still feeling supported
• Provide financial assistance as needed for food, clothing, education and utilities

HIV/Aids Education

HIV/AIDS is still an illness that requires education. As progress has been made with living with this chronic illness, awareness has dwindled. Over 10,000 people have benefitted from versions of the AIDS 101 prevention education programs and award winning curriculum. Many of our clients take pride in knowing that their stories and knowledge can bring awareness to our community. High Schools and Colleges in the Central Connecticut area frequently request our stories to be told to their staff and students through an open forum. Our clients share their stories, provide insight on living with HIV and prevention, and take questions from curious attendees. Our staff frequently shares statistics, provides practical advice on prevention, and resources should any of the students want testing, confidential counseling are simply want further information.

To request a speaking engagement, please contact:

Rich Baraglia
Executive Director
860-793-2221 or email at rbaraglia@stphiliphouse.org

Client Education

Many of our clients, or family members of clients who are also in our program wish to continue their education. St. Philip House is proud to provide support in their endeavors. Through financial support that is made possible by our supporters, we often aid in the purchase of educational materials and tuition assistance as needed. Furthering education is a noble cause for any single individual, but we are especially proud to assist those who already face adversity.

Sister Program in Lima, Peru

In 1999, Saint Philip House adopted a sister agency in Lima, Peru named La Posadita del Buen Pastor. La Posadita is a residence for orphaned and abandoned HIV+ children and some of their HIV+ mothers