About POZabilities
Beginnings
In 2000, a group of HIV+ men started meeting for coffee and formed a social alternative to the bars. The group would provide drug-and-alcohol-free social activities for its members as a means of networking and support. With the goal of enhancing the spirit and enhancing the health and well-being of HIV positive men in San Diego, a movie night, beach bonfire, volleyball, and other activities were soon added. POZabilities still meets for coffee twice a week and offers two to three other activities each month as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day potlucks
In 2015 POZabilities became a 501 (3) nonprofit charity offering social activities and producing community forums and workshops covering topics of interest to all those affected by HIV. We also offer Building on a Positive Life, an education/support group for HIV positive men. POZabilities social activities are open to all those living with HIV and its educational events are open to everyone.
Our Mission Statement
POZabilities is a volunteer effort to reduce isolation, depression and stigma among individuals in San Diego who are infected and affected by HIV through education, outreach, and networking.
Our Values
POZabilities envisions an HIV+ community where social support is strong, where isolation, HIV prejudice and discrimination are eliminated, and where HIV+ individuals live healthy and fulfilling lives.
We Aspire To Be
Forward thinking, collaborative, and willing to engage with the community we serve. Instrumental in efforts to build a community that has the information, support, and mentor-ship to lead healthy and fulfilled lives.
A Local Organization
POZabilities directs it efforts to those living in the City and County of San Diego, specifically to:
- Provide current information, referrals, and forums on relevant issues in particular, information dealing with health promotion and significant life issues to empower those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
- To promote a positive image of people living with HIV/AIDS, with the aim of eliminating prejudice, isolation, stigmatization, and discrimination.
- To maximize our current efforts, we seek to collaborate with other non-profit organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- To provide activities and events for HIV+ individuals in a safe alcohol and drug-free environment for the purpose of relieving isolation and depression.
A 501 ©(3) Nonprofit Charitable organization
- Our Federal EIN is 47-3562551. All donations are appreciated and can be made at pozabilities.org/donations/ or by calling Jerry Turner at 619-241-8538.
| Board of Directors |
| POZabilities Board of Directors meets a minimum of 6 times a year for progress review, and planning sessions. The Board provides financial oversight, ensures adequate resources, ensures legal and ethical integrity, enhances POZabilities public standing, and monitors and strengthens programs and services.
The public and the community are welcome and invited to attend POZabilities board meetings, except those portions reviewing personnel matters. Please feel free to contact POZabilities Chairman of the Board of Directors at poz@pozabilities.org. |
|
Chairman and Managing Director HIV positive since 1985, Jerry began volunteering in the HIV epidemic in 1985 as a group discussion facilitator, community forum planner, and board member of Stop AIDS Project in San Francisco. He developed the city’s Safe Sex and Intimacy Workshop, co-developed a disability workshop for UCSF’s AIDS Healthcare Project and AIDS Benefits Counselors. After a move to San Diego in 1998 he became a peer advocate at Being and facilitated a peer support group. In 2000 he received CRIA’s HIV Treatment of Education. HE joined POZabilities board in 2015. His awards include the 2012 San Diego Pride Champion of Pride Award, the 1997 San Francisco Points of Light Award, and the 1996 Sam B. Pucket Memorial HIV Prevention Award. He lives in San Diego making fabric art. |
Secretary Joe has been a member of San Diego Pozabilities for many years and joined the board in 2015. He has been employed by the Interfaith Shelter Network since 1995 and served as the Manager of the Rotational Shelter Program and now is the Director of Operations for the agency. Joe is a Navy Veteran and has been a resident of Chula Vista since 1991 with his husband Steve. |
Treasurer Kevin is a San Diego native, received degrees in Accounting from Point Loma Nazarene University and San Diego State University (Federal Taxation). He earned his CPA license and worked in the tax departments of the CPA firm KPMG Peat Marwick Main in San Diego and San Francisco. In January 1987, took a position in the tax department of Dole Food Company in the Los Angeles area. In 1996, due to illness, Kevin moved back to San Diego to be with family. In January 2000, he became a member of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. He joined the Board as Treasurer in August 2004. |
|
Community Liaison Michael first lived in Hillcrest in the early 2000s while working as CTO for the Navy and Marine Corps Intranet program. He and his husband and partner of 40 years, Donald, moved back in 2018 to enjoy early retirement. Over the years, Michael has lived in many parts of the US (Dallas, DC, Omaha, Denver, Detroit, Dayton and Bloomington, IN) as well as the UK and South Korea. He’s travelled extensively to many major metropolitan areas in the US and Europe as an information technology strategy consultant. Michael has long believed in giving back to the community and supporting causes important to him. He served as a volunteer and board member for the Texas AIDS Network in the 90s while living in Dallas. In addition to his role as Education Director and board member for POZabilities, he is currently a member of the board of the Hillcrest Town Council, San Diego County HIV Planning Group Community Engagement Committee and the ACTG CAB as well as various urban planning efforts around San Diego. Michael enjoys working out, hiking and biking around San Diego.  Board MemberRuss Fox
Russ is originally from the San Fernando Valley and moved to San Diego in 1981. He graduated from Mission Bay High school. He returned to the Los Angeles area where he studied Accounting and graduated from CSU Northridge, He worked in public accounting until he received his CPA license before returning back to San Diego in 1990 to live and work permanently. Coming out as a gay man shortly after, Russ began to get more involved in the LGBT community particularly with a focus on sports groups. In 1994 he fulfilled one of his greatest passions, to be a ski trip organizer. He took over San Diego SAGA Ski and Snow sports club and continues to run ski trips to this day. Russ started to become an active member in POZabilities around 2016 and has helped raise money for AIDSWalk by hosting fabulous fund raisers in his and his partner’s home. Russ has joined our Board in 2023 and looks forward to helping POZablilties explore new avenues for community support.
|
