CAMTAN is the local organization assisting individuals affected by the HIV pandemic within our own demographic. an IRS certified local 501 (C) 3 non-profit in need of community support.

As 2008 comes to a close, consider making a tax-deductible donation to this Clarksville-based non-profit. Started by a small collective of local ministerial leaders and lay people, the Clarksville Area Ministers Technical Assistance Network (CAMTAN) seeks to provide assistance, support and education to persons affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the greater community.

While Metro-Nashville has Nashville Cares, MICTAN, the Ryan White Foundation, Operation Stand Down Nashville-Street Front, a transportation funding grant from the Nashville United Way and a array of philanthropic foundations: Clarksville, Montgomery County, Dover, Stewart County, Erin, Houston County, Charlotte, Dickson, Dickson County, Springfield, Robertson County, Cumberland City, and other outlying areas must relay on the limited resources provided by a small collective of churches and a few private individuals, with which CAMTAN seeks to address the physical and psychological stresses that can accompany an HIV/AIDS infection.

Rev. James W. Hill Jr., pastor of Greenwood C.M. Baptist Church, serves as the Senior Executive Director of this all volunteer effort. Rev. Hill has attended numerous training seminars with the Nashville United Way -Ryan White Foundation, Operation Stand Down Nashville, the MICTAN initiative and Tennessee Dept. of Health to become certified as a HIV/AIDS counselor-facilitator.

MICTAN is the much larger and better funded Metro-Nashville equivalent of CAMTAN- a faith-based fellowship ministry to those impacted by the HIV/AIDS virus. These efforts are non-judgmental and focus on assisting the client in stabilizing their lives in the areas of housing, medication, counseling, personal relationships, fellowship and employment sustainability and include a general community health education outreach. Of the five county service area, Clarksville leads with the highest number of STDs and HIV transmission cases. The need for education and awareness is real and growing. CAMTAN is seeking to raise funding so that they can hire a case manager, a secretary and a driver and stabilize their client medical appointment transportation support system.

Rev. Timothy Grant- CAMTAN booth, 2008 African Street Festival

CAMTAN has participated in and sponsored several health fairs over the past years in an effort to increase community awareness of the various and diverse health issues confronting our collective communities. Information is available on cancer- be it either female or male breast cancer, colo-rectal or prostate cancer, cervical cancer or testicular cancer. Additionally diabetes, hypertension, obesity and weight control, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), depression and other mental health issues are all matters that CAMTAN seeks to aide the community in understanding and confronting. All of these health concerns are also of concern to individuals confronting an HIV/AIDS infection, along with issues of homelessness, abandonment and physical or domestic abuse. CAMTAN seeks to educate the community to raise the level of awareness and understanding of these issues and improve the public’s preventive posture addressing these concerns. It also seeks to provide assistance to those confronting an HIV/AIDS infection and/or the consequences of such an infection upon the client or family members.

Donations, both monetary and in-kind services, may be sent to: CAMTAN, 1325 Dodd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Receipts will be sent acknowledging all donations for tax reporting purposes. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return receipt. Rev. Hill is also available to speak with interested groups and coordinate CAMTAN participation in health fairs and other community events. Contact CAMTAN at 931-249-4262/552-3611. Send e-mail to: .

The Youth Victory Garden is located in the Brandon Hill Community of the city, bound by Franklin, Commerce, Cedar and Duncan(?) Streets. The land consists of lots that were either donated or brought out right for this project. The young volunteers, C-MCSS students from diverse backgrounds, labored to clear the ground and prepare it for its new purpose — growing a vegetable crop to be harvested for the October celebration. Adult volunteers supervised and assisted the young people as they gained firsthand experience in what many of their forebears had done decades before and came to know an appreciation for an agrarian work ethic. The garden included corn, turnip, mustard and collard greens, spinach, tomatoes, green beans, yellow squash and even a small flower bed.

Organizations that participated in the fair include NewClear Vision, Asociacion Latina, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, CAMTAN, along with Mount Olive Historic Cemetery Preservation Society and many volunteer supporters. The Montgomery County Health Department was suppose to conduct free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings but did not show.

The fair had a raised stage where announcements, music, dances, skits and organizational presentations were performed as the fair grew in attendance. Although the weather was brisk, the community showed its interest in acknowledging the results of the young people’s efforts and the harvest they produced. The harvest meal of turnip greens, cornbread, beans and fried chicken with soft drinks served as a fitting highlight to a season of hands in the soil.

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HIV remains a persistent and pervasive threat to the health, well-being, and human potential of many African American communities. As the impact of the epidemic among African Americans has grown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health agencies, and African American communities have stepped up efforts to address the crisis.

While we have seen important signs of progress in reducing risk in many African American populations, the impact remains severe. Today, a heightened national response is urgently needed to build on progress to date and meet the serious challenges that remain.

HIV and AIDS: A Health Crisis for African Americans – African Americans are severely and disproportionately affected by HIV. While blacks represent approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for approximately half of the more than one million Americans currently estimated to be living with HIV, and have represented 40 percent of all deaths among people with AIDS in the U.S. to date.

As new treatments have expanded the lifespans of people infected with HIV, the number of African Americans living with HIV continues to increase, creating more opportunities for HIV transmission.

Fortunately, even in the face of rising HIV prevalence, there have been no indications of increases in the overall rate of new HIV infections among African Americans. In fact, there have been signs of possible reductions in new infections among blacks in some areas hard hit by HIV, such as the state of Florida, and in populations hard hit throughout the country, including injection drug users and African American women. Additionally, mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which largely affects African Americans, has been dramatically reduced, and African American teens have reported significant declines in sexual risk behavior and increases in condom use in recent years. Yet significantly more must be done to address the impact of HIV among African American men, women, and young people.

The latest CDC data on new HIV diagnoses between 2001 and 2005 in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting show that:*

• African American males continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV in the U.S. In 2005, the rate of HIV diagnosis (number of cases per 100,000 population) among black men was nearly seven times higher than that of white men, and more than twice that of black women.
• African American women are also severely affected. Among black women in 2005, the rate was more than 20 times that of white women.
• Racial disparities in HIV diagnoses are particularly severe among young people. Overall, blacks made up half (51%) of all new HIV diagnoses between 2001 and 2005. But among youth aged 13 –24, blacks accounted for 61 percent of diagnoses.

*CDC. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS—33 States, 2001–2005. MMWR 2007;56:189–193. Note: New HIV diagnoses do not necessarily represent new infections, because some individuals with new HIV diagnoses were infected recently, while others were infected long ago.

CDC’S commitment to fighting HIV among African Americans

As the impact of HIV on African Americans has grown over time, so have efforts to combat it. CDC works with partners across the nation to fight HIV on the front lines of the epidemic. Today, nearly half of CDC’s domestic HIV prevention budget, or more than $300 million, is directed to fighting HIV in African American communities.

The largest share of CDC prevention funds for African American communities, an estimated $244 million, supports state and local health departments; national, regional, and community organizations; and health care providers across the U.S.

CDC funds these partners to implement programs to reduce HIV risk behavior among African Americans, help those living with HIV to protect their sexual partners from infection, and increase HIV testing and links to HIV care. Their efforts include approaches such as intensive one-on-one and group counseling, peer outreach, and HIV testing in community-based and health care settings.

Roughly $140 million is now directed to state and local health departments who work in partnership with local community groups to reach the African American populations at greatest risk in their area. Funding for this program has increased from $5.75 million in 1988.

To supplement these efforts and provide additional support to hard-hit communities, CDC provides $30 million directly to community-based organizations to implement programs, an increase from $3 million in 1988.

For more details, follow this link to the CDC website.

For more info about CAMTAN support services or making donations, write: CAMTAN, 1325 Dodd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040 or Call: 931-647-5777 or 249-4262.

Saturday, August 23 will see the Summer Health Disparity Gospel Benefit Musical for CAMTAN, at 7 PM. CAMTAN, the Clarksville Area Ministerial Technical Assistance Network, was founded to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic in a seven county area. It has expanded to include additional health disparities that negatively impact health among lower socio-economic groups. It is a non-government funded, faith-based, non-profit organization seeking to positively impact our community’s most vulnerable residents. All of its outreach is paid for with private pledges and donations and some grants funding.

The health disparity gospel benefit musical will be held at the Clarksville School of Religion, 1325 Dodd Street, 7 PM. Special guests are the Bryson Boyz, Elder Wayne Hayes, David English and others. Church groups are encouraged to send in their offerings early. For those wishing to support the organization but unable to attend the event, mail-in donations are accepted. See contact address below.

Be it personal, business, organizational or house of worship in origin, CAMTAN always welcomes donations. For more info on how you can help or about their support services, write them at: CAMTAN, 1325 Dodd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Call at 931-647-5777 or 249-4262.

Five years ago, a meeting of local area ministers resulted in the founding of the Clarksville Area Ministers Technical Assistance Network, CAMTAN. A non-profit group organized to provide mental, physical, and spiritual assistance to those confronting an HIV/AIDS infection. CAMTAN also seeks to provide capacity building faith-based responses to HIV/AIDS. The organization furthers seeks to combat this disease with a prevention education outreach campaign as well.

Dispelling the vast amount of misinformation and simply false data about this disease that is circulating within the community takes a considerable amount their time. CAMTAN’s client service area includes the city of Clarksville; Montgomery, Robertson, Chetham, Dickson, Stewart, Houston and Humphreys Counties. Clarksville is the central operation base.

Pastor James Hill is the executive director. For those dealing with actual infection, support services range from transportation to medical appointments, job interviews or medication pick-ups, to weekly community meals, consultations and fellowship. Coordination and networking with larger organizations in the Metro-Nashville area is also a part of the program. Applying for grants is a major funding objective. IRS regulations require the organization to demonstrate continued viability before being accorded a non-provisional 501(c) (3) status. Many grant funding entities require that non-provisional status to qualify for their large supporting grants.

Several pastors, local churches and private individuals have pledged monthly contributions that enable the program to function in its current limited capacity during this probationary period. This level of support is vital to CAMTAN being able to sustain its operation and meet its mission. While all area ministers have been invited to participate, at a minimum, in a financial support capacity, not all contacts have been favorably received. Sadly, some pledges have failed to materialize and that has had a serious negative impact on the program’s ability to meet its principle objectives. As a non-profit, CAMTAN draws no government funding to execute any of its programs.

Nashville Cares, MICTAN and The Ryan White Foundation do not cover Montgomery County or our neighboring areas. Clients served by CAMATN must rely on the meager resources which CAMTAN can muster to meet its mission. An eight-passenger van, administrative office support located at Greenwood CM Church, a telephone/fax line and email address and a regular community luncheon with fellowship are primary support facets of CAMTAN. A social worker provides case management on a limited basis.

Although several coordination efforts have been attempted, the Montgomery County Health Department and its AIDS Coordinator has not able to meet with CAMTAN clients or participate in past health fairs hosted by the organization. While CAMTAN manned an information table with health brochures and T-shirts, the Health Department was noticeably absent at the August 8th PCA 6th Annual African Street Festival at Fairgrounds Park. This prevented blood pressure checks and diabetes screenings from being part of the community-wide outreach.

Pastor Hill attends several conferences and workshops in the course of a year. Information on infection rates, medical updates, medicinal breakthroughs and adverse reaction alerts, grant writing guidance and grant opportunities are just some of the benefits gained from these gatherings. Ofttimes, the expense of these conferences is borne out of his own pocket because CAMTAN’s funds cannot cover the cost and meet its clients needs. Public education is a major component of the awareness outreach. The impact of health irregularities of all kinds are the focus of community health outreach efforts. For CAMTAN, these ministries are vital in alleviating community health challenges.

CAMTAN is always in need of and appreciative of cash donations. Be it personal, business, organizational or house of worship in origin, financial donations are welcome. For more info on how you can help, write them at: CAMTAN, 1325 Dodd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Call at 931-647-5777.

Mrs. Doris Witherspoon, PCA Secretary and Pastor Gloria Hall, PCA Ass't Director

On Saturday, Fairgrounds Park was the site of Progressive Citizens Advocates’ 6th Annual African Street Festival. The event commemorates the emancipation of Tennessee slaves during the Civil War. That historical context is the motivating background of this colorful family-centered community celebration. While an appreciation of the historical perspective of the one-day festival is crucial to its organizers, the festival itself offers far more than a review of a bitter time period of American history.

From its originating start on the campus of APSU, the festival has grown and evolved to include participants from a diverse cultural background. The festival provides an opportunity for reflection on contributions made by African Americans, the history of the Motherland Africa and its early rulers and leaders and the ongoing struggle of African Americans and other minorities as they strive to achieve the American ideal. Performers have ranged from a showcase of local rappers and R&B artists to Polynesian Firewalk Dancers to this year’s Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama, the art of the diverse elements of the Clarksville and Montgomery County community has always played an important role in the festival celebration.

Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama dancers

From the opening prayer to the closing evening dance the festival program held a myriad of choice activities. Health information and awareness outreach was available at the Clarksville Area Ministers Technical Assistance Network, CAMTAN, station. Information on health ailments troubling the minority communities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and obesity, was on hand. HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment assistance information was also there. Pastor James Hill serves as the senior executive director of the CAMTAN outreach serving Montgomery, Stewart, Robertson, Dickson, Houston and Humphreys Counties. HIV/AIDS infection rates correlation, treatment assistance, overall general awareness and fellowship are some of the ways by which CAMTAN furthers the cause of awarenessand assistance. CAMTAN T-shirts were available for sale and donations are always appreciated as CAMTAN is a non-government funded program. Pastor Hill is available at 931-647-5777 for more information.

"Grandmother sent me to buy a shirt!" Clarksville Team Obama volunteer helps a young man fulfill his tasking.

The Clarksville for Obama station had information on the local unit’s outreach to promote Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. T-shirts and other campaign material were available. Information on hosting a house party and other support efforts was also on hand. For more information or volunteer options, visit their website.

Deliverance Outreach Temple was also on hand. It’s “Taking it to the Street” ministry held a free Clothing Give-A-Way at the festival. This effort is part of the church’s philosophy of hands-on outreach to the community. Steve and Dee Pearson are the co-chairs of “Taking it to the Street”. Pastor Timothy Grant is the minister at Deliverance Outreach Temple, 851 Garrettsburg Road. The church also distributes a Community Information Resource Pamphlet listing businesses of interest to the community. For more information on this or the Clothing Give-A-Way, call 931-553-0060.

Candy Johnson greets a new supporter.

Ms Candy Johnson manned her Ward 5 City Council seat station. The Clarksville native is competing with Dianne Ward and Lewis Baggett for the contested city council seat in the November elections. She had questionaires and copies of her mission statement on hand. She also provided voter registration forms at her station. She believes that personal involvement is crucial to improving city government and insuring that all elements of our community have a voice and are considered in government decisions and activities. The public is invited to join her on August 28, at First Federal Savings Bank, Ft. Campbell Blvd. at 6 PM for her Campaign Kick-Off and discussion on how to put government back into the hands of the citizens.

Attorney Muriel Neal held sway at the Kids History Quiz station. Questions about famous African Americans and contributions made by African Americans were posed to youngsters. Correct answers earned the child a free prize of their choosing. Assisting her was MTSU senior, Terri McMoore, youngest daughter of Wanda and Terry McMoore.

Attorney Mureil Neal and Ms Terri McMoore at the Kids History Quiz Station

The Blues Doctor's Magical Saxaphone

Poetry readings, historical recitations, songs of praise, softball games, Latin American folk dancing, and mini concerts by blues saxaphonist James Witherspoon were all part of th day’s activities. Steve Jones and A.D.licious Barbecue, as well as Jerry’s Barbecue, served barbecue ribs, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches and dinners along with a variety of soft drinks.

Supporting vendors listed included CAMTAN, Deliverance Outreach Temple, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Temple of Truth, James Shelley-State Farm, Jeff Jerkins, Birdie Hayes, Attorney Muriel Neal, Candy Johnson, Pastor Eddie Sumier, Yvonne Leighton, Linda Hunter, Mary Gilmer, Steve Jones-A. D. Licious Bar-B-Cue, Lilly Webb, Nannie Cobb, James Ledlow and Florence Grant.

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