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MEDIA ADVISORY
For February 4, 2010

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

To Increase HIV Testing Rates in Newark “Status Is Everything” Pioneers New Media, Text Messaging, and Social Media

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2010 – On February 4, 2010, during a full day of events, the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC.org), Mayor Cory A. Booker and the LGBTQ Commission will kick-off “Status Is Everything”, a pioneering, Newark, NJ focused HIV testing social marketing campaign targeting African American men who have sex with men, aged 18-24. This is the first New Jersey public health campaign of its kind to utilize social media and text messaging to provide residents 24-hour instant access to local HIV/STD testing centers – text NJ+YourZipCode (NJ07102) to 36363. 1-866-HIV-CHECK access is provided by the New Jersey HIV/STD hotline.

Status Is Everything Social Media
Twitter – http://bit.ly/69k7mP
Facebook – http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
YouTube - http://bit.ly/SIEBernard1
Causecast – http://bit.ly/SIECausecast

The multifaceted six month campaign features an interactive website StatusIsEverything.org that promotes seven “friendly reminder” e-cards and six video PSAs of Newark spokespeople; PSAs in movie theaters and on Cablevision Networks; bus wraps, a billboard, and light rail train signs. READ MORE »

NEW YORK, N.Y., January 21, 2010 – Groove Evolution Music (GEM) Festival (www.grooveevolutionfest.com), founded by Sky Dietrich, vocalist of the band Sky D and LeGrange Evolution (www.skydandlegrange.com), is creating a new paradigm shift in charitable partnerships. GEM’s mission is to benefit local and international non-profit communities from New York City to Europe to South Africa. The first fundraising music festival is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 9pm to 2am at Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette Street, NYC. GEM has named Haitian Orphans Wish (HOW) and Artworks for Youth as charitable beneficiaries of its first concert and dance party of 2010. Both organizations provide education, nutrition, and spiritual relief to children worldwide.

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Get your taxes prepared for free with Newark Now VITA. Get your refund fast with Refund Now for free.

The Program Offers Local Residents a Chance to Get Ahead at Tax Time

NEWARK, N.J., January 14, 2010 – Today at a Newark City Hall Rotunda press conference, Newark Now President and CEO Edgar C. Izurieta joined with Mayor Cory A. Booker, Newark Municipal Council members, Newark Asset Building Coalition, TD Bank and TD Charitable Foundation, the Internal Revenue Service, Citi Foundation, dignitaries, and members of the community to kick-off Newark Now VITA, a multifaceted free tax preparation program now in its seventh year. VITA provides free tax preparation services for local families with a combined household income of less than $49,000 a year, as well as individuals with no dependents earning $25,000 or less per year. In 2009, Newark Now VITA prepared over 3,000 returns and had an impact of over $7 million in the local economy. READ MORE »

Newark Now VITA Launches on Thursday, January 14. Get your taxes done for FREE at Newark Now VITA

NEWARK, NJ, January 12, 2010 – Now in its seventh year, Newark Now’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will kick-off the 2010 tax season (tax year 2009) and its six locations with a press conference on January 14, 2009 at 11am in the Newark City Hall Rotunda, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ. In 2009 Newark Now VITA prepared over 3,000 returns and had an impact of over $7 million on the local economy. Low- and moderate- income NJ families who earn less than $49,000 and individuals without dependents who earn $25,000 or less, qualify to receive free, quality, professional tax preparation services through VITA. IRS certified volunteers prepare the tax returns and provide high quality service and uphold the highest of ethical standards.

For more information on Newark Now’s VITA program call 973-624-FREE (3733) or email taxes@newarknow.org. READ MORE »

NEWARK, NJ, January 12, 2009 – LCH Business Media and Tech Solutions (LCH), a boutique web 2.0 campaign strategy and management firm based in Newark, NJ, announces that it has joined the Status Is Everything Media team. LCH has been retained by FEMWORKS, the Newark based multicultural marketing agency leading the creative and communications for Status Is Everything (SIE), Newark’s new HIV testing social marketing campaign that targets African American gay men. LCH will manage the social media for Status Is Everything, create viral and written conversations, engage and inform around HIV, Testing and Prevention. Status Is Everything is produced by the African American Office of Gay Concerns.

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‘Status Is Everything’ Social Marketing Campaign Targets Young African American Gay Men In Newark

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Beginning January 2010 in Newark, African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

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