Radiant Health Centers’ media coverage through the years, from events to client updates, learn more about us here.
Every time I give a tour at the AIDS foundation I currently work for, I share my status and say out loud, “I am HIV-positive.” But it has not always been easy to say these words to another person. As a matter of fact, it has been very recent since I have decided to reveal my status to anyone else other than my long-time partner and two close friends.
IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2018) – Radiant Health Centers recently expanded its Health and Wellness Food Pantry to serve members of the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing food insecurity, regardless of HIV status. To qualify, members of the LGBTQ+ community must have limited income and a severe or disabling medical diagnosis.
Expanding the food pantry is a part of Radiant Health Centers’ promise to meet the needs of Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community and get to zero new HIV transmissions. The pantry served more than 400 HIV positive clients last year, and with the expansion Radiant Health Centers will serve almost 100 more people in need in Orange County.
The food pantry provides a dependable source of nutritious food in sufficient quantities for not only clients, but also their pets. Radiant Health Centers received a generous grant from the Banfield Foundation, making the pet food pantry possible.
“Most people really love their pets, and rather than letting them starve, our clients often give them their own food,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO & executive director, Radiant Health Centers. “To make sure our clients are well nourished and able to stay healthy, we started giving away pet food for dogs and cats as well. ”
Eligible clients will be able to pick up their food on Mondays. In addition, Radiant Health Centers also delivers food to clients to remove barriers to access for clients who do not have access to transportation or who are unable to pick up their food at Radiant Health Centers.
“We are so grateful to our donors and volunteers who make the food pantry possible,” said Yaeger. “It is truly making a difference in our community, helping some of our most vulnerable members get enough food on their plates.”
Radiant Health Centers food pantry is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment. Clients must sign up in advance and provide proof of requirements. To set up an appointment and find out more, clients can contact Health and Wellness Pantry Coordinator Brent Wellman at (949) 809-8773. Food is needed all year round to keep the pantry operating. Items can be brought to Radiant Health Centers, 17982 Sky Park Circle, Ste J, Irvine, CA 92614-6482.
About Radiant Health Centers
Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving new HIV transmissions down over the past 15 years; however, six people a week in Orange County are still diagnosed with HIV.
Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBTQ+ community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.
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Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: 619-245-8866
On Saturday, June 2nd, Radiant Health Centers hosted Stairway to the Stars, a magical, history-making night filled with entertainment and inspiration as the evening’s headliners included singer/songwriter and Tony award-winning actor Levi Kreis and actor and comedian Jason Stuart, along with special celebrity guests Metta World Peace, Emerson Collins, Blake McIver, and Del Shores. All proceeds and pledges benefit Radiant Health Centers’ expansion of services to the entire LGBTQ community while maintaining their long-standing commitment to end the HIV epidemic in Orange County.
Men Alive OC Gay Men’s Chorus’ season finale concert “HEROES”—which was scheduled at the Irvine Barclay Theatre—has now been moved to Cal State Fullerton’s Meng Concert Hall, located at 800 N. State College Boulevard in Fullerton for two FREE performances on Saturday, July 21 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (there will no Friday performance). Parking at the theater’s parking structure is free also.
Due to an unforeseen equipment failure that has resulted in a loss of power to the Irvine Barclay Theatre, all performances of HEROES at the venue have been cancelled. Contractors are currently at work on their system, but, unfortunately, the extensive repairs will not be completed in time to allow for this weekend’s performances at the Barclay.
Irvine Barclay Theatre will issue refunds to all current ticket holders by credit card or check within 10 days.
We encourage you to still come see our FREE concerts on Saturday with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Because of this rapid venue change, these shows will be first-come, first serve and open to all.
For updated information, please check ocgmc.org/heroesupdate
Stairway to the Stars
The Stairway to the Stars event, held on June 2 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, raised $755,000 toward The Campaign for Radiant Health Centers, bringing the capital campaign fund to $1…
A range of issues important to LGBTQ people and those who value equality were front-and-center during an in-depth conversation that brought expert panelists and an audience together to find ways to stand up against attacks on our community.Leading national and international experts on a range of topics — from LGBTQ aging and the heartbreaking challenges transgender elders face when dealing with family and care facilities — as well as members of the public, journalists, and clinicians (in total, about 100) gathered in Orange County for the most recent engagement of America’s longest-touring LGBTQ panel series, LGBTs In The News with Thom Senzee.
Levi Kreis has come a long way since his early days in Tennessee where he wanted to become a minister. Rooted in country music, Levi’s versatility as a musician, actor and an artist has taken him to the top of the charts, Broadway-including a Tony Award, movies, TV-including an appearance on The Apprentice and all over the world.
Modesty aside, how would you describe yourself?
Let’s see. If Dolly Parton had Peter Allen’s first born son, that’s a good place to start (laughs).
David Piazza, Dr. Vincent “Vinnie” Pompei, Gay Orange County, HRC, Human Rights Campaign, Jason Stuart, Levi Kreis, Phil Yaeger, Radiant Health Centers, Stairway to the Stars
It was an evening filled with the spirit of giving at Radiant Health Centers’ star-studded gala Starway to the Stars on June 2nd. The event held at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, attracted around 300 guests and helped raise $755,000 toward its Capital Campaign, bringing RHC’s campaign fund to $1.2 million, and putting Orange County another step closer to opening a health center for underserved members of its LGBTQ-plus community.
June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. There are 6,711 individuals living with HIV disease in Orange County and by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, an additional estimated 941 residents who have HIV and don’t know it – some of whom will develop AIDS before realizing they are HIV-infected.
Levi Kreis has come a long way since his early days in Tennessee where he wanted to become a Minister. Rooted in country music, Levi’s versatility as a musician, actor and an artist has taken him to the top of the charts, Broadway-including a Tony Award, movies, TV-including an appearance on The Apprentice and all over the world.
Modesty aside, how would you describe yourself?
Let’s see. If Dolly Parton had Peter Allen’s first born son, that’s a good place to start! LOL
