T.O.U.C.H.
OF ROCKLAND COUNTY NY, INC.
CLIENT SERVICES
As a T.O.U.C.H. client you may receive:
Individual Counseling, Pastoral Care, Referrals, A Buddy
Hospital Visitors, Transportation, Grocery Delivery, Emergency Aid
T.O.U.C.H. is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the HIV/AIDS community. Comprised of Rockland County residents, T.O.U.C.H. strives to fight discrimination and respond humanely to those affected by and infected with the virus. A wide variety of services and programs are offered by T.O.U.C.H. From food delivery to counseling services to substance abuse peer support groups, T.O.U.C.H. volunteers help to ease the burden of living with HIV/AIDS. One goal of T.O.U.C.H. is to offer care, supplies, support and love to those in the HIV/AIDS community and to enable those persons to live their life to its fullest.
SUPPORT GROUPS:
Under the guidance of trained professionals, persons affected by or infected with HIV share their experiences of living with the virus. Support groups provide a safe, confidential setting in which all aspects of the infection may be openly discussed. To reflect the special concerns of diverse populations, several different support groups are offered.
- Sobriety Plus is a 12-step peer support group for people infected with HIV and in recovery from alcohol or substance abuse.
- A gay men's support group meets to address the special issues of gay men who are HIV+.
- A general support group for those infected with HIV, their spouses, caregivers, parents and partners. This group provides discussion of many issues confronting the HIV+ person.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING:
Trained psychological professionals are available to see individual clients who are having difficulty handling aspects of their illness. Counseling is available for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, their families and loved ones and for those who have been HIV+ for years. For people in all stages of the HIV illness, individual counseling is an important part of treatment.
PASTORAL CARE:
Volunteer clergy and lay people provide spiritual guidance in the home and in the hospital. Clergy are also available to conduct funerals for those who die outside a faith community.
EMERGENCY FUND:
T.O.U.C.H. has established a limited fund from donations providing assistance in emergencies.
REFERRALS:
T.O.U.C.H. is able to make appropriate referrals to agencies throughout Rockland County including the Rockland County Department of Health and the Department of Social Services and other HIV/AIDS specific agencies. In addition, T.O.U.C.H. provides streamlined housing referrals for Section 8 and other government programs as well as legal referrals for the preparation of wills, planning for surviving children, assistance with Social Security problems, and eviction notices.
BUDDY PROGRAM:
The buddy program encourages the development of a one-on-one relationship between a volunteer and one who is either living with HIV or AIDS. The volunteer supports the person with HIV/AIDS by providing physical or emotional assistance. In addition, the "buddy" spends social time with the client, attends support group meetings when possible, listens to concerns and, if able, fulfills special needs or offers referrals to someone who can help.
HOSPITAL VISITATION:
Being a patient in the hospital can be a fearful and isolating experience. Persons with HIV are placed in isolation which further intensifies the fear of being alone. The hospital visitor offers solace to the patient simply by dropping in to visit and listen. The visitor is sensitive to the needs of the patient regarding communication with staff, doctors, family and friends and responds to complaints by the patient. Volunteer visitors frequently bring the patient prepared packages of toiletries and other necessary items to make their stay more comfortable.
TRANSPORTATION:
Volunteers are available to provide clients with transportation. They take clients from their homes to clinics, doctor's offices, and hospitals, support group meetings or shopping centers.
FOOD PROGRAM:
The food programs offered by T.O.U.C.H. provide the HIV/AIDS infected person with the proper nutrition needed to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. T.O.U.C.H. offers food to clients so that funds remain available for rent, telephone, utility bills and other needed items. T.O.U.C.H. programs remove the burden of shopping from someone who does not have the energy to go to the market. Weekly grocery delivery and access to the T.O.U.C.H. Food Pantry, which stores non-perishable food items, are available for clients. For those who prepare their own meals, referrals for nutritional counseling can be supplied.
GROCERY DELIVERY:
T.O.U.C.H. strives to supply the basics of a nutritional diet by delivering non-perishable food items. Participants are expected to complete the cycle by purchasing meat, Poultry, vegetables and fresh fruit on their own to maintain a fresh Supply. A generous amount of groceries is provided to the client, every week, based on caloric and other nutritional needs. The staples included in this delivery can be tailored to specific requirements such as food allergies and the physical health of the person with HIV/AIDS.