Vision Council Description

The United Way Comprehensive AIDS Resources, Education, and Services’ (UW C.A.R.E.S.) mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, to prevent the spread of the disease, and to develop a collaborative delivery system to provide holistic services.

The United Way C.A.R.E.S. Vision Council is a collaboration of funded and non-funded agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals that provide services to the HIV/AIDS infected and affected community of Essex and West Hudson. The Council works to identify specific critical need areas and problems related to HIV/AIDS. Council members seek solutions across organizational and geographic lines. The Council combines advocacy, services and fund raising to more effectively battle HIV/AIDS in Essex and West Hudson. In addition, it maintains a cost-effective service that can leverage additional resources.

An agency is chosen by the United Way of Essex and West Hudson to serve as the Lead Agency for the Council. The Lead Agency works diligently with the Vision Council to attract the human and capital resources required to carry out the mission of the Vision Council and UWEWH.

The Council traditionally meets the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at the United Way office in Newark (303-309 Washington Street). Council members work to identify needs and trends in the HIV/AIDS community and to problem-solve. The Council directly sponsors the following two events each year:

1. The Celebration of Life Dinner Dance is an event for people living with HIV/AIDS which is traditionally held the evening after Thanksgiving. In addition to great food and entertainment, agencies host resource tables to share the latest information in health care, treatment, prevention, and available resources to the invited guests. Approximately 600 people attend the event each year.
    
2. The Day of Sharing is a one-day conference for social service agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals that provide services to the HIV/AIDS community in Essex and West Hudson. The purpose of the conference is for participants to share information and resources, to learn the latest in HIV prevention, care and treatment, and to participate in workshops designed to “refresh” the mind, body and soul. The Day of Sharing is usually held in the spring.