About me
Stephen Addona, certified recovery peer specialist, previously associated with Hope and Help of Central Florida, is the founder and former programs director, co-facilitator and chief blogger of RE-START, an HIV support group for older adults. Stephen is a long-term AIDS survivor, and for more than three decades lived in a circuitous world which included New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. His life centered in what are considered to be the ground-zero cities of the epidemic. He experienced first-hand the overwhelming loss of many that he knew and loved, and the near annihilation of an entire culture of queer men. In 2014, living in Orlando and recognizing the need to “get the information out there,” Stephen began RE-START. Under his direction, attendance at a RE-START meet-up, by men and women of all ethnicities, has grown to that of "standing room only." RE-START's primary core members are over the age of fifty. Guest speakers from the Orlando area host presentations on innovative treatment options, mental health, nutrition and an array of holistic topics. Stephen orchestrated RE-START to include four basic principles, to educate on living & aging well with HIV; combat isolationism; to recognize, encourage and reward leadership amongst its members; and to dismantle stigma in all communities. In 2017, Stephen organized and led RE-START members in the Orlando Pride Parade. It was the first time openly HIV Positive individuals collectively marched in the event. To this day, RE-START boasts an impassioned participation in every Orlando Pride Parade .
The focal point of Stephen's work is HIV and Aging. His primary goal is to set the standard of how to mature well while living with the virus. "It's an art," he says, "I sculpt both my body and mind daily, through use of my personal wellness plan. Exercise, nutrition, abstinence from tobacco and substance use, and the relentless challenging of the mind are critical in maintaining quality of life." In his pursuit to inspire others, Stephen created the Facebook page DEFIANCE-HIV & the ART of MATURING.
In 2018, POZ Magazine recognized Stephen as one of the top 100 individuals, over the age of 50, making significant contributions to end the HIV epidemic.
https://www.poz.com/article/2018-poz-100-ab
For two years in a row, Stephen has been the recipient of a 50+ Strong & Healthy Scholarship to the USCA.
He has been appointed by the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) to occupy a seat on the 2020 HIV 50+ National Advocacy Internship Committee, Washington, D.C.
Stephen currently resides in New York City, is active with Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and working on his memoirs, AIDS and The Bacchanal.
RESUME`
STEPHEN ADDONA
800 Grand Concourse|Apt. 3D-N|Bronx, NY 10451| Steveaddona@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Councilmember for the 2020 HIV 50+ Advocacy Internship, Washington D.C.
USCA, HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy, Two-Time, Scholarship Recipient
“COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS 50+ LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS THROUGH MEANS OF EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, SUPPORT GROUPS, SOCIAL EVENTS AND PEER MENTORING.”
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Culturally competent Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, bringing over six years of experience working with diverse groups of 50+ individuals living with HIV and its multi-morbidities. Primary focus centers on building and sustaining healthy peer relationships with LTS and improving quality of life.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Attended SUNY at Brockport, N.Y.
Studied Theatre
Associates Degree in Theatre
Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, N.Y.
Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, Florida Certification Board
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Workshop, Peer Support Coalition of Florida
HIV 50+ and Multi-Morbidities, HIV 50+
QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment & Management, QPR for Suicide Prevention
Peer Navigation for HIV Prevention, Treatment & Care, Calif. STD/HIV Prevention Training Center
Motivational Interviewing for HIV Prevention & Linkage to Care, PROCEED, Inc
PrEP Facts & How it Works, Hope & Help CF
Connect HIP Certified Facilitator, NYCDHMH
VOICES/VOCES Certified Facilitator
HIV Antibody Testing Certification, Florida Department of Health
Certified Phlebotomist HIV Confirmatory Testing, Volcano Consulting, LLC
ORA Quick Hepatitis C Antibodies Certified Tester/Counselor, OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Hepatitis 101 for Counselors, Nurses & Outreach Workers, Florida Dept. of Health
AWARDS, RECOGNITION & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HOPE AND HELP, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER SPECIALIST, CRPS-A/ Health Educator
Founder and Co-facilitator of RE-START, Central Florida’s largest HIV support group. Former administrator and blogger for RE-START Facebook page which has a global membership of nearly 300.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HopeandHelpRESTART
Mobilized & led the first group of openly HIV+ individuals -RE-START- for an historical preeminent march in Orlando’s Pride Parade & AIDS WALK
Expanded the recruitment, tracking and monitoring of client files and comprehensive program documentation to include a case load of 100+ peers, an increase of over 50%.
Awarded Certificate of Accomplishment for “Above and Beyond Efforts" in establishing community awareness and partnerships.
THE CENTER, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/HIV-1 SENIOR TESTER & COUNSELOR
Reprogrammed the recruitment and training of volunteers by implementing monthly orientation classes, which dealt with hands-on front desk reception, phone and on-line resource procedures; increased active volunteer participation by more than 40%.
Devised and launched universal policy procedures for the training of new recruits for HIV-1 Rapid Testing Certification.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Certified in administering HIV-1, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Rapid Testing
Licensed Phlebotomist for HIV-1 confirmatory blood testing
SPANISH, JAPANESE, beginning level, ITALIAN intermediate level
Microsoft Suite, Evaluation Web, PrognoCIS
Award-winning Singer/Vocalist/Inspirational Speaker/Published Author
The focal point of Stephen's work is HIV and Aging. His primary goal is to set the standard of how to mature well while living with the virus. "It's an art," he says, "I sculpt both my body and mind daily, through use of my personal wellness plan. Exercise, nutrition, abstinence from tobacco and substance use, and the relentless challenging of the mind are critical in maintaining quality of life." In his pursuit to inspire others, Stephen created the Facebook page DEFIANCE-HIV & the ART of MATURING.
In 2018, POZ Magazine recognized Stephen as one of the top 100 individuals, over the age of 50, making significant contributions to end the HIV epidemic.
https://www.poz.com/article/2018-poz-100-ab
For two years in a row, Stephen has been the recipient of a 50+ Strong & Healthy Scholarship to the USCA.
He has been appointed by the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) to occupy a seat on the 2020 HIV 50+ National Advocacy Internship Committee, Washington, D.C.
Stephen currently resides in New York City, is active with Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and working on his memoirs, AIDS and The Bacchanal.
RESUME`
STEPHEN ADDONA
800 Grand Concourse|Apt. 3D-N|Bronx, NY 10451| Steveaddona@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Councilmember for the 2020 HIV 50+ Advocacy Internship, Washington D.C.
USCA, HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy, Two-Time, Scholarship Recipient
“COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS 50+ LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS THROUGH MEANS OF EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, SUPPORT GROUPS, SOCIAL EVENTS AND PEER MENTORING.”
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Culturally competent Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, bringing over six years of experience working with diverse groups of 50+ individuals living with HIV and its multi-morbidities. Primary focus centers on building and sustaining healthy peer relationships with LTS and improving quality of life.
- Assertive when addressing one-on-one or large groups of individuals on HIV, its related diseases & combative aging measures, which include holistic health, diet, exercise, abstinence from tobacco & substance use.
- Adept in listening to and objectively identifying clients’ needs; collaborates successfully with peers to devise personal recovery plans which utilize physical & mental health services and psycho-social resources & events.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Attended SUNY at Brockport, N.Y.
Studied Theatre
Associates Degree in Theatre
Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, N.Y.
Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, Florida Certification Board
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Workshop, Peer Support Coalition of Florida
HIV 50+ and Multi-Morbidities, HIV 50+
QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment & Management, QPR for Suicide Prevention
Peer Navigation for HIV Prevention, Treatment & Care, Calif. STD/HIV Prevention Training Center
Motivational Interviewing for HIV Prevention & Linkage to Care, PROCEED, Inc
PrEP Facts & How it Works, Hope & Help CF
Connect HIP Certified Facilitator, NYCDHMH
VOICES/VOCES Certified Facilitator
HIV Antibody Testing Certification, Florida Department of Health
Certified Phlebotomist HIV Confirmatory Testing, Volcano Consulting, LLC
ORA Quick Hepatitis C Antibodies Certified Tester/Counselor, OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Hepatitis 101 for Counselors, Nurses & Outreach Workers, Florida Dept. of Health
AWARDS, RECOGNITION & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
- Appointed by the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) to the 2020 HIV 50+ National Advocacy Internship Committee, Washington, D.C.
- USCA scholarship recipient, 2018 &2019
- Recognized, POZ Magazine as one of the top 100 individuals, over the age of 50, for significant contributions to ending the HIV epidemic. https://www.poz.com/article/2018-poz-100
- USCA 2018, The Time is Now, Together or Never, guest panelist, “The Significant Contributions of RE-START Support Group to the Orlando Community.”
- Positively Aware, Nov.-Dec. 2017, A Day with HIV http://www.adaywithhiv.com/
- POZ, Dec. 2016, Snapshots from The South https://www.poz.com/article/snapshots-south
- National HIV & Aging Day 2017, Orlando, FL https://youtu.be/XdhOOeRFqU8
- Awarded “Above and Beyond Efforts” for Building Community Relationships, Hope & Help CF
- Headdress Ball 2013 & 2015, guest speaker, Hope & Help, Orlando, FL
- World AIDS Day Orlando 2014 & 2016 guest speaker; performed as guest vocal artist 2015.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HOPE AND HELP, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER SPECIALIST, CRPS-A/ Health Educator
Founder and Co-facilitator of RE-START, Central Florida’s largest HIV support group. Former administrator and blogger for RE-START Facebook page which has a global membership of nearly 300.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HopeandHelpRESTART
Mobilized & led the first group of openly HIV+ individuals -RE-START- for an historical preeminent march in Orlando’s Pride Parade & AIDS WALK
Expanded the recruitment, tracking and monitoring of client files and comprehensive program documentation to include a case load of 100+ peers, an increase of over 50%.
Awarded Certificate of Accomplishment for “Above and Beyond Efforts" in establishing community awareness and partnerships.
THE CENTER, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/HIV-1 SENIOR TESTER & COUNSELOR
Reprogrammed the recruitment and training of volunteers by implementing monthly orientation classes, which dealt with hands-on front desk reception, phone and on-line resource procedures; increased active volunteer participation by more than 40%.
Devised and launched universal policy procedures for the training of new recruits for HIV-1 Rapid Testing Certification.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Certified in administering HIV-1, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Rapid Testing
Licensed Phlebotomist for HIV-1 confirmatory blood testing
SPANISH, JAPANESE, beginning level, ITALIAN intermediate level
Microsoft Suite, Evaluation Web, PrognoCIS
Award-winning Singer/Vocalist/Inspirational Speaker/Published Author
