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What We Do |
The Living Room, based in Syracuse, New York, is a client driven nutrition based/social support program for any individual and his or her family infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. Developed in 1991 by a group of dedicated and concerned consumers and community providers, The Living Room has spent the last ten years providing nutritional support services to the HIV positive community in the Central New York Region by offering a congregate meal program, home delivered meal services for the medically compromised, and an on-site supplemental food pantry. The home delivered meals portion of our program is known as Heart’s Content. The Living Room and Heart’s Content Program also offers professional nutrition assessments and counseling provided by a registered dietitian.
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Why We Do It |
The goal and mission of The Living Room and Heart’s Content is to provide comprehensive nutritional support by offering nutritious congregate meals five times per week, or a home delivered meal service up to seven times per week. The Living Room and Heart’s Content also provides nutrition education and counseling to enhance quality of life, provide a sense of personal empowerment, increase tolerance of medication therapies, and provide for an overall improvement in health. Services are offered in a respectful fashion, in the least restrictive manner and setting, with strict attention to issues of privacy and confidentiality. The social element found at The Living Room provides members with a sense of family, connection to community, and acceptance based on diagnosis. Anyone identifying him or herself as infected/affected by HIV/AIDS is welcome at The Living Room.
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Who Uses Our Program |
Members take an active role in program development at The Living Room by participating in the HIV Program Advisory Committee and the General Membership Meeting. These meetings are scheduled monthly and are open to all members.
The Living Room currently has over 250 members on its roster. We serve approximately 80 unduplicated clients per month, providing them with nearly 600 nutrition related services. The Living Room membership is diverse in nature serving all ages and ethnicities.
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Let's Talk Service! |
The primary function of The Living Room Program is to serve nutritious meals to HIV infected persons and their families. It is also a place where members can receive up to date nutrition related information and/or assessments on their personal nutrition status. This information is vital for the continued health and well-being for the HIV infected. It is important to note there is no charge for any of the meals or services received by Living Room Members, and participation in programming is strictly voluntary.
Weekly The Living Room offers:
- Continental breakfast from Monday - Friday
- Hot lunch from Monday - Friday
- Food pantry service from 1 - 1:30 pm Thursday
- NOTE: Lunch on the second and fourth Thursday of each month is supplied by the volunteer team from AIDS Community Resources.
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Additional Supportive Services |
- Support Groups
- Men’s Group: Monday, 1:30—3:00 PM
- Women’s Group: Tuesday, 4:00—5:30 PM
- Co-Ed Group: Wednesday, 1:30—3:00 PM
- Education/Training:
- Each Thursday, 11:00 AM—12:00 PM. Education is provided by the Outreach Program at AIDS Community Resources in Syracuse, New York.
- Nutrition Education: Third Monday of each month from 11:00 AM—12:00 PM. Education is provided by our on-site registered dietitian. Individualized nutrition counseling is also available. There is no charge to members for this service
- Special Events:
- Holiday Parties provided for Living Room Members and their families at: Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Summer outings: at least two each season.
- HIV Testing:
- Conducted by the New York State Department of Health, The Living Room provides Anonymous HIV Testing on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 4:00—7:00 PM. Please call 1-800-562-9423 for details.
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Staff |
The Living Room is currently staffed by an HIV services supervisor, nutrition coordinator, assistant nutritian coordinator, and several "member" coordinators. By demonstrating leadership skills and presenting him or herself as a role model to others, members are ablt to progress to the level of paid staff and "coordinators." Coordinators are "paid volunteers" who assist in the daily operations of The Living Room. Coordinators are recognized by the membership as being able to assist in Living Room programming, and guarantee continuing agency commitment to consumer needs. The four Coordinators are elected into their position by the membership, and receive a monthly stipend for their services. In addition a registered dietician provides nutrition assessments and individual counseling as appropriate. Supportive staff at The Living Room include a credentialed chemical dependency counselor and mental health counselor. The Living Room also has many opportunities for interested volunteers. The only prerequisite for becoming a Living Room volunteer is compassion and sensitivity to the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, and an understanding of the importance of membership confidentiality. Check out our contact section for more information.
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Syracuse Community HIV Services |
- Central New York HIV Care Network: 315-472-8099
- Designated AIDS Center: Upstate Medical University 315-464-5533
- DePalmer House (Transitional Housing) 315-475-1544
- HIV Counseling Program: Chemical Dependency & Mental Health 315-474-2781
- AIDS Community Resources: 315-475-2430
- FACES: Southwest Community Center 315-474-6823
- American Indian Community House: 315-478-3767
- Spanish Action League: 315-475-6153
- Welch Terrace: Supportive housing 315-422-5611
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How Does Someone Become a Member? |
An individual infected or affected by HIV/AIDS can become a member of The Living Room simply by calling or stopping by our Syracuse location. Members are asked to sign the member agreement, and commit to protect the safety and confidentiality of all members. There is no charge for membership, meals, or any other service a member receives at The Living Room.
The Heart’s Content Program (home delivered meals) is designed for individuals who are unable to shop or cook for themselves due to advanced stages of AIDS. Minor children of an infected person can also qualify for this service. There is no charge to the client for this superior food service provided by Syracuse area Meals on Wheels. A medical or case management referral is required to receive this service. Persons qualifying for home delivered meals will also have access to professional nutrition assessment and counseling, guaranteeing optimal nutrition service.
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Additional Information |
Sue McMahon
Office: 315-701-0293 x14
Fax: 315-478-0367
livingroom@liberty-resources.org
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