Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Selma AIR – AIDS Information and Referral, Inc. partnered with Rural Health Medical Program and Selma Center for Nonviolence last week to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three organizations held an event for students in the Selma City Schools and Dallas County School districts with free COVID test, free HIV test, and a chance to earn a $100 gift card by responding to a survey on virtual education and community development.

“It is important for our local organizations to partner now more than ever and to be in relationship with one another as we look to address the hardships across our community,” Selma Center for Nonviolence Executive Director Ainka Jackson said.

Lydia Chatmon, Grants Program Manager at Selma AIR said it’s important to make the community aware of the rising COVID cases and HIV.

“The intersectionality of health and wellness in our community reaches across many sectors,” Chatmon said.  “We all have to do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and HIV as we spread a little joy.”

The Rural Health Medical Program has provided COVID-19 tests across the Black Belt since March.

“In a time when so many are experiencing loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job, it is important  for all of us as community-focused agencies to become a part of the solution,” Rural Health CEO Keshee  Dozier-Smith said. “We are delighted to partner and offer such needed resources to our community.”