Building a positive future for Wichita

By Robin Dorner
Editor-in-chief

After watching his best friend die in 1989, Cody Patton, founder of Positive Directions found himself at a loss. He wanted do something for those living with HIV/AIDS, but wasn’t sure what “that” was. He began visiting people in the hospital and realized how important it was just being there for someone.

“That” turned out to be Positive Directions, a non-profit AIDS Service Organization (ASO) founded in 1991 by Patton, who also currently serves as the executive director. Located in Wichita, KS, they provide resources, education and support to those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS as well as community action and outreach. This includes a food pantry, case management, HOPWA (housing opportunities for people living with AIDS), and so much more.

“A lot of people are not sure what all Positive Directions does,” said Bert Pearce, the organizations’ Prevention Coordinator.  “Some of my goals are to increase the outreach activities. My job right now is to increase our numbers for testing and to continue our ‘Bodygaurds’ group. All testing is rapid testing now and that is a recent thing for Kansas. There is also now a mandated 1% positivity rate.”

PDI is also in the process of planning an LGBT health fair to coincide with Wichita Pride and is working with the Sedgwick County Health Department on this project Pearce said, as well as collaborating to set up an LGBT Health Resources website. As with so many people with HIV & AIDS, Pearce commented that for some of their clients, it’s a constant battle to get resources set up.

“We are hoping to get the conference center at the Indian Center for the LGBT Health Fair,” he added. “The future of that with the center is to also find gay owned and gay-friendly businesses, too.”

Pearce said a lot of people who take the classes offered through PDI are not necessarily the ones who need them, but they do take the education to their friends; out to the gay community. Pearce said he is working now to target the straight community and straight allies.

“One of the things we try to drive home to people is to just get tested! Do it every three, six or 12 months,” Pearce said in conclusion. “Also we want to better educate the medical community.”

On the PDI website, Cody Patton says, “There have been so many people who have helped make this organization the success it is today, countless volunteers, dedicated board members and devoted staff.” As far as reflecting on setting up the organization, which began evolving in 1991, he says, “If I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would.”

For more information about Positive Directions services or the Jones Gallery, visit www.pdiks.com.

The Jones Gallery at Positive Directions is named after the Jones family, great benefactors and friends to PDI. Located in the heart of the Arts District, the last Friday of each month, Positive Directions participates in the Final Friday Gallery Crawl.  For August, it will be Aug 31st, from 6-10pm