by Jessica Carreras
Phil Williams is an active member of Higher Ground, which serves to benefit Michigan's HIV-positive community through support groups, health and healing classes, retreats and fundraising efforts.
1) How did you get involved with Higher Ground?
Four years ago, my life went through some major changes. I started thinking about how I could do something to give back to the community. At Motor City Pride that year, I discovered Higher Ground. I knew right away that there was something special about the attitude of the people involved. I started helping out in a few small ways and found that the more I did, the more I got back. What sometimes seemed like menial tasks provided me with great rewards.
Higher Ground has an annual blanket drive (in eight years, with the help of the community, Higher Ground has distributed over 9,000 new blankets to organizations whose clients include children, women and men living with HIV/AIDS). The first time I delivered blankets and these hard-working case managers thanked me, I knew I was doing something that I wanted to get more involved with.
2) Why is HIV/AIDS an important issue to you?
Although most people who are HIV positive are able to manage the virus, people are still dying from complications of AIDS. I have friends who are positive, some for over 20 years, and others more recently diagnosed. All of them mean a great deal to me and I want to do anything that I can so that anyone who is living with HIVAIDS can have a better quality of life.
3) What do you love about the work Higher Ground does?
I love the fact that Higher Ground is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. Higher Ground helps the whole person: body, mind, spirit and dignity. With support groups, yoga, an annual retreat and various outreach programs, Higher Ground is working to help those already infected, encourage testing for everyone and educate the community.
4) If you could have one wish granted for the HIV-positive community, what would it be?
I guess the most obvious wish is that the drug companies that are making millions off of maintenance drugs would find a cure or vaccine. Perhaps more realistically, I would hope for better understanding and acceptance of those who are HIV positive.
5) What events does Higher Ground have coming up?
Besides the weekly support group and yoga practice, Higher Ground has a monthly "Poz Night" on the second Friday of every month at the Menjo's Complex from 7-9 p.m. It is one more way Higher Ground is trying to break down some barriers and get people involved in the community.
One of Higher Ground's biggest events is our involvement in AIDS Walk Detroit, happening this year on Sept. 19 in Royal Oak. We encourage people to go to our website and click on the AIDS Walk page to register as a walker for Higher Ground's team, or to make a donation.
Also please visit the website often for information on other coming events, ways you can get involved with Higher Ground and how you can contact us if you are in need of a support group.
Get involved with Higher Ground at {URLwww.hghiv.org}.
