Faces and Voices of HOCC Part Two
The Journey Continues…
Faces and Voices Part Two—The Journey Continues is HOCC’s evolving web page dedicated to keeping women connected to each other and informed about their health, wellness, and their community. Meeting women when and where they are is our goal for keeping our web page up to date and ready for visitors. There, people can see our most recent health and wellness information, share in women’s wisdom and voices, and appreciate our sisters’ smiles—and even sometimes, tears. Welcome to HOCC’s Faces and Voices Part Two–The Journey Continues!
Faces and Voices: January 2024 – December 2024
Coming!
October 21, 2024
Third Monday of October because of Holiday
“Addiction, Journey, and Recovery”
with HOCC’s Special Panel
=======================================================================
Faces and Voices: September 2024
September 9, 2024
“Let’s Talk Menopause – Midlife Women’s Health”
with Sara Looby, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN
Sara Dolan Looby
“First Thing First: – Celebrating Sara!
KEEPING THE BEAT FOR HOCC WOMEN
HEALTH THROUGH WISDOM AND LEADERSHIP
Program Discussion:
FACES
VOICES
-
“I always learn something when I attend this inspiring group of women!”
-
“I love that we always talk about women’s health – today about hormones, the frustration, and the value of vitamin E”.
-
“This program was very helpful – a few things that I heard really made sense to me like how long menopause will last, my mood swings which I never had before or even depression, and changes is my cognition which I have been worried about. It is also good to know about vitamin E! I guess I will have another conversation with my doctor about what I learned about me – he always says to me when I come in with questions – “you’ve been at HOCC again”.
-
“I liked our open discussion about symptoms – things that I have had but now know they were related to menopause.”
-
“Hot Flashes – not so hot to me! Thanks for the fans.”
-
“Knowledge is power – and now I know – not looking forward to it but I feel like I am ”
-
“All of the information was real and very good.”
-
“Where else would anyone hear these conversations about women’s health like we do at HOCC – for women, by women, about women – that’s us!”
-
The program was excellent! So glad to be here – so grateful for Sara and her slides and Q&A!”
-
“What was most helpful is now understanding about mood swings after menopause – not so helpful was learning that some people have symptoms for years! OUCH!!!”
-
“It’s about time the correct information is available!”
-
What was so helpful was all of the information on the body – organs and the acknowledgement of menopause related anxiety, depression, and short term memory.”
-
“I need to get real – I dress to look good but I really need to dress lighter first then look good – sweaty does not look good on anyone!”
-
“I wish HOCC was around when I went through menopause – no one spoke about it nor really knew anything about it – it was really difficult!!!”
-
“Good that we talked about dryness – big problem for me.”
-
“Everything was so helpful!!!”
-
“Learning about mood swings – I thought it might be something else.”
-
“Estrogen information was very helpful – thank you!”
-
The whole program was GREAT!”
-
“Information regarding the female body and hormones working and not in the body – best tips for great sleep!”
-
“From the start to finish – every part of HOCC is valuable!”
September ZOOM Programming:
September 16th
“Smoking Cessation”
Allison Futter
September 27th
“Mindful Movement” with Ellie Enichen
Ellie Enichen
=======================================================================
Faces and Voices: August 2024
August 12, 2024
“Food Is Medicine”
with Jasmine Norris, MPH, RD, LDN – Community Servings
Jasmine Norris
Program Discussion:
FACES
VOICES
-
“This year we have been talking about food and how to prepare healthy meals and today we learned how we can get the foods to our plates to eat healthy – thank you!”
-
“Thank you – really interesting to talk about finding resources locally that I can use SNAP or even free!!!”
-
“Vegetables and fruits are so expensive and difficult to find them on sale – heard some good solutions.”
-
“The whole program was great and wonderful and great hearing about Community Servings programs”.
-
“I receive Community Servings weekly and the soups are fabulous!”
-
“The whole program was great – thanks!”
-
The best was talking about food resources and how to prepare them too!”
-
“We start learning about the topic from the monthly flyer to feeling more empowered by now knowing – thank you HOCC.”
-
“I love the idea of food as medicine.”
-
“Great to talk about healthy dietary eating habits and patterns – understanding this makes sense.”
-
Hearing about food resources around town was the best!”
-
“The most helpful thing was learning that I can qualify for food resources and where to get them.”
-
Understanding what and when I eat also can affect my health.”
-
“Awarness is so powerful!”
-
“Everything was so helpful from beginning until the end – thank you HOCC!”
-
“We often don’t have enough food and certainly not healthy food to feed the family and today I heard how and where I can get help with feeding my family – thank you!”
-
“Love the new way of making different foods – I just need to stay on track”
-
“All of my questions were answered and the questions we all asked certainly helped all of us.”
-
“Learning about healthy eating and the value of food was heard – thank you!”
-
“It’s always good to have good nutrition reinforced and learn about new sources for free or low-cost nutrition AND some things I have never heard about but will try them now!”
=======================================================================
Faces and Voices: July 2024
July 8, 2024
“Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan”
with Jackie Savage Borne, LICSW
Jackie Savage Borne
Program Discussion:
Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan:
A Space Together to Discuss
The Facts, The Myths and
Getting Support
FACES
HOCC’s 27th Anniversary Continues
The Beat Goes On… Leah Receives Her WHEL Team Award Today
Happy Eightieth Birthday Les!!!
Julie always creating – day in and day out!
VOICES
-
“This was an excellent group today and all of the information I learned today I can use to help others”
-
“THE most soul moving moment for me was the admission of a reformed abuser. This strong BRAVE lady proved to everyone in that room that CHANGE can happen – in any circumstance.”
-
“Thank you this was great! Honestly, I thought DV was only about sexual and physical abuse but learned today there are many kinds of control and abuse like financial, emotional, and stalking.”
-
“HOCC is really there for us for we are always able to talk about hard things and get support. “
-
“HOCC helps me to identify the important issues and provides such a safe space for our discussions.”
-
“Thank you for helping us really know about all of the signs of abusive behavior.”
-
“Just knowing that this subject is ok to be talking about and listening to the various resources.”
-
“I love how we have a place to talk openly about our lives and our health!”
-
“I love my HOCC family – all the information and conversations we have are so valuable!”
-
“Loved the framing of welcoming, non-judgmental DV discussion – very powerful sharing!”
-
HOCC and all the information we get is so wonderful!”
-
“It was really helpful to hear and now understand all of the different kinds of abuse!”
-
“The whole program was great and hearing about the different kinds of abuse and understanding the signs of abuse was so helpful!”
-
“The best part was hearing all of our stories – unfiltered and honest and safe!”
-
“HOCC is more than a support group but do we feel supported! Today was a hard conversation to hear and be heard – but it was safe for us to do it.”
-
“Today was my day and my day to speak up and take steps to report what is going on – thanks you”
-
“Several years ago when I came to HOCC the topic was domestic violence – I left my abusive marriage with my children and got help. Thank you for everything.”
-
“What was most helpful: Hurt people hurt people until they heal from their trauma.”
-
“Today realizing that you can be an abuser also, but you can get help to change.”
-
It’s ok to be ok – to be alone for your safety and to work on yourself until you are ready – I wish we had more time today to continue this conversation.”
-
“What was most helpful was HOCC’s positivity, support, and enthusiasm of the crew! Great facilitator – elicited stories and responded beautifully! Thank YOU!”
-
“Listening to everyone’s experiences and all they have overcome was very inspiring.”
-
“Every part of the program from beginning signing-in to cleaning up was great!”
-
“This was a great program with the interactions with each other’s inspiring stories.”
-
“It’s always good to hear how others take care of themselves!”
-
“All of us have had some sort of abuse over our lifetime and it was so good to hear I am not alone – thank you.”
“Mindful Movement”
Don’t Forget to Continue Your Mindful Movement Practice During Summer Zoom Break
For More Information: file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Mindful%20Movement%20Summer%20Guide%20(2).pdf
=======================================================================
Faces and Voices: June 2024
June 10, 2024
“HOCC’s 27th Anniversary”
FACES
HOCC 2024 LIVING OUR MISSION OF 27 YEARS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO HOCC 2024
HOCC 2024 CELEBRATING A JOURNEY OF HOPE AND HEALING TOGETHER
HOCC’s 2024 TECH AWARD – Teaching, Empowering, and Connecting HOCC with Our Future
Hemi Park
LA VERNE HALFKENNY / LIVING LIFE INSPIRATIONAL (see July Program)
SYLVIA BREWER AWARD: HOCC POWER IN MOTION WITH SMILES, SONG AND DANCE (see July Program)
HOCC’S HEALTH & WELNESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Sara Dolan Looby
T.E.A.L. Award: Tireless, Engagement, of All Ladies
Julie Muise
Board of Directors Award for Commitment and Dedication to HOCC 2024
Marjorie Charney
BRENDA BELLIZEARE – HOCC LEADERSHIP AWARD
Lyva Ambers
WHEL TEAM (Women’s Health & Educational Leadership Team
Thank You For Always Bringing Your Wisdom, Health Education, and Leadership
to HOCC All Day Long
VOICES
What HOCC Means to Me…
-
HOCC is a place for all women living with or without HIV – we are all the same and unique – no stigma here – no shame here just us living and learning together.”
-
“It means the world to me – it’s my support!”
-
“HOCC is a great organization that helps women to grow as a woman living with HIV and thrive for the rest of their lives.”
-
“It means to me that HOCC cares about you as a woman and that your health care to be nurtured through educated and to learn how to advocate for your own well-being.”
-
“HOCC means strength and continuity and where you are valued and appreciated.”
-
“HOCC is family, loving, caring, supportive. I am so happy to be part of the HOCC family.”
-
“An organization that brings women together who are living with HIV to connect, learn, and thrive.”
-
“HOCC cares about you as a woman and your health care and provides the education and is nurturing to make it all come together.”
-
“It’s an understanding of how you can help yourself and get the care you need.”
-
“I love HOCC it helps me get out of the house because I always learn something new about my self or my health.”
-
“HOCC makes you want to take better care of yourself.”
-
“It means community, learning, and growing.”
-
“HOCC to me is a sisterhood of all different shapes, sizes, cultures, interests and know how.”
-
“Self-care and community.”
-
“Powerful, love, amazing!”
-
“It means the HOCC members are brave people and we learn from each other.”
-
“HOCC means a safe place to share, grow, love, laugh and cry,”
-
“Life and understanding – I’m not alone”
-
The support is awesome – nowhere else like it!”
-
“HOCC is my lifesaver, and my sisters are here!”
-
“HOCC is part of my self-care all day long.”
-
“HOCC means a community of health education, women’s interests, and sharing what we have learned with others.”
-
“HOCC is me and you and all women wanting more for themselves and others – HOCC is love!”
When I Hear the Word “HOCC” I Think of…
-
“Nurturing”
-
“Caring, loving, and educational.”
-
“Strength and Continuity”
-
“I think of all the years living with HIV I finally have a reason to in every aspect of life – thank you HOCC!”
-
“Love, peace, happiness.”
-
“Lots of laughter and love!”
-
“Education and empowered women.”
-
“Community, learning, and friendship,”
-
“Living, learning, loving.”
-
“Healing”
-
“Women empowerment”
-
“Support, love and lots of resources on women’s health.”
-
“Safe place for all women.”
-
“It’s going to be Ok for me and you and we will get there with HOCC on our side.”
-
“I think of the second Monday of each month and I need to be there – it’s my lifeline.”
-
“Safety and love”
-
“Welcome to HOCC! – the opening of a special day for me.”
-
“Hope and happiness.”
-
“Fun and education – who thought I would think education could be fun!”
-
“The best day of the month – I plan my month around it.”
-
“I think of my monthly meeting and Mindful Movement.”
-
“Being blessed in finding HOCC”
-
“Family and hope.”
-
“I think of the first time I came to HOCC and being greeted at the door with a smile and hug – thank you that was in 2010 here at the church!”
-
“Gratitude for being there for me when everyone else rejected me.”
In Your Own Words How Would You Explain HOCC to Another Woman?
-
“The best program!”
-
“HOCC is a gathering of like-minded, strong women supporting other women”
-
“It’s a place of enjoyment and a place just for you.”
-
“A woman’s community by and for women – to support and inform women with and at risk for HIV.”
-
“HOCC is something you don’t want to miss – add it to your calendar!”
-
“A place to heal and be inspired.”
-
“HOCC is a safe place for women” (first time at HOCC)
-
“It’s not something words can explain – it’s what and how you feel.”
-
“HOCC is amazing – every woman has their own experience – mine is home!”
-
“It’s the best meeting you could attend.”
-
“HOCC is a safe warm welcoming place to get together with like-minded women living with HIV or not and receive information to live a healthy life.”
-
“It’s the real deal – support with love, hugs, education and empowerment.”
-
“HOCC is for you and me – see you next month!”
June ZOOM Programming
June 7th
“HIV and Aging”
=======================
June 28th, 2024
“Mindful Movement”
For More Information:
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Mindful%20Movement%20Summer%20Guide%20(2).pdf
=======================================================================
Faces and Voices: May 2024
May 8, 2024
May ZOOM Programming
“HOCC’s 10th Annual Health Fair”
with HOCC’S Special Partners and Collaborators
FACES
Over 60 women join HOCC’s first Virtual Health Fair on May 8th!
VOICES
HOCC Women:
“It was a wonderful time! I don’t usually like virtual formats but this kept my interest”
“The presenters were awesome and resources were plentiful!”
“Job well done – thank you – a lot of good information.”
“It was very convenient, even though when I tried to get the info for the woman who talked about food insecurity my phone got stuck – I will keep trying”
“I like the in-person HOCC health fairs where you can walk around and to meet and greet and pickup goodies”
“I liked having so many choices in the different studies”
“I loved it – it was straight forward, no side talk, and done on time”
“I liked the old HOCC Health Fairs – in-person because we have even more providers and lot’s of giveaways”
“In-person is always more intimate and reassuring yet the presenters were great!”
“It went really smoothly and packed with lots of great information”
“Really good and so special that HOCC keeps us informed like no others!
“HOCC is for all of us and having studies offered to all of is so important.”
“I don’t usually care for zoom but it was a good time – I am going to rethink doing zooms”
“I certainly don’t hear about studies from anywhere but HOCC – you would think I would hear from my health care provider – I live with HIV”
“In-person is always the BEST!”
“This was very nicely organized and I got to ask questions and get answers – I am calling in next week to start a study”
“I liked attending the health fair from the comfort of my home – I took notes to tell some family members”
“It was great to see all the ladies I wish we had more providers and and more time”
“I loved hearing about all of the studies – I wish there were some studies related to kidney and liver disease – these seem to be a risk for women living with HIV”
“I love being at home and at HOCC at the same time”
“Virtual is a great option to in-person!”
“It was too short- I am signing up for the smoking study and the soothe study – thank you HOCC”
“It’s so important to have women’s voices and experiences represented in studies!”
“This was so convenient and informative!”
“HOCC you did it again – always finding new and interesting ways to bring health and wellness to our community!”
—————————————————————————————————————————
Presenter(s):
“Amazing organization, such involved members, sweet community and SO COOL to get to hear all the presentations of all the different support services and research studies. Loved the time table – really helpful.”
“It is great to present so many services in a focused manner to a wide audience who might find it easier to tune in from home”.
“way more convenient, allowed for tons of folks to join. Loved the optional – come to our lunch”
“A great way to show the HOCC women all that is out there in terms of studies and support services”
“Orgs/clients from everywhere and any where can access the health fair”
“There are so many amazing people doing amazing work in our community. I was so grateful to be included and get some great questions from the HOCC women.”
” y’all rocked it!”
“There are a lot of orgs. for women I did not know about.”
“There are a lot of studies and support services out there for HOCC women!”
“The environment was very supportive and diverse, I got the impression that it was a great resource for the HOCC women as well as the groups that attend”
“Learning more about women living with HIV”
“Everyone gets their time to present, rather than multiple groups around a room. It was nice to be able to provide slides, as well as QR codes. Also, it can be done from the comfort of the home or office! It is also easier to keep time/schedule on zoom.”
“Orgs/clients from everywhere and any where can access the health fair”
“I think that this would have been more successful in person so that people could have more conversations individually instead of all having to listen to every presentation one by one and all of the following questions, but I appreciate the virtual opportunity to get such high turn out”
“You are able to have more in depth conversation with clients. Paper flyers would be visible and clients would be able to take away items. Togetherness creates community. More people could’ve attended the health fair, those who are not zoom savvy.”
“I think that overall a virtual fair is more convenient for people.”
“I have only been to the virtual fair, but I do like that the women can join from anywhere.”
May 13, 2024
“Women, HIV, and Peripheral Neuropathy”
with Shibani Mukerji, MD, PhD MGH Neurology
Shibani Mukerji
Program Discussion:
FACES
