AYC Charity of the Month: WNCAP

Asheville Yoga Center is working with the Western North Carolina AIDS Project to help improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to medication for those living with HIV/AIDS in the community.

Starting on February 1, donation boxes will be stationed in the AYC Studio and Boutique for studio guests to contribute, and on Thursday, February 22, 10% of all drop-in and community class sales will be donated to WNCAP. Along with class donations, AYC will contribute $250 to provide access to those living with HIV/AIDS in the community to the medications and resources they need to live a wholesome, healthy life.

“We want every member of our community to live a full, happy, and healthy life, and we realize the impact that WNCAP has had on those living with HIV. We are thrilled to contribute to their continued efforts,” says Melissa Pennscott, general manager of AYC.

Since 1986, WNCAP has worked to improve the quality of life for those in the community living with HIV/AIDS. Working out of four locations that serve 18 counties in Western North Carolina, WNCAP offers free testing for HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis as well as education services to encourage prevention and a holistic approach to sexual health and harm-reduction services in the form of needle exchange. WNCAP’s case-management department works to reduce the barriers of access to medical care by providing transportation and reduced-cost medications to those in need. The nonprofit also partners with Loving Food Resources to distribute meals to over 100 families across the 18 counties WNCAP serves.

“HIV is no longer a fatal disease as it once was, but there are still all kinds of health risks that come with it,” says WNCAP Executive Director Brodderick Roary. “One of the things we’re trying to do is to expand our mission into more of an overall quality of living.”

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project is dedicated to preventing new cases of HIV/AIDS and promoting self-sufficiency in people living with HIV.  WNCAP provides HIV-related client support, prevention, education and advocacy activities guided by the belief that all people are entitled to equal access to health care and disease prevention. On April 26, the Asheville community is invited to continue supporting WNCAP through the Dining Out For Life Benefit. Dining Out For Life® is a region-wide day of fundraising for HIV/AIDS when many of the finest restaurants in WNC agree to donate 20% of their gross sales to WNCAP. For more information, go to wncap.org.