Little Bit of Jonny Walker

Jonny Walker has been involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS since 2003. From speaking out against stigma to educating medical professionals on how to better serve their injection drug using patients and clients, Jonny has a drive to speak out for those who may be under served and under represented. Jonny has traveled to Washington DC to advocate for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and served Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS in many capacities including Board Chair and Director of Testing. Jonny in currently working on increasing the volume of the voice with which he speaks out.

Jessica Adams

My name is Jessica Adams and I began volunteering for a.l.p.h.a. earlier this year as the First Thursday Event Coordinator.  I organize a different event for the first Thursday of every month.  I am passionate about HIV & AIDS awareness and support.  I first encountered the need for HIV & AIDS awareness and education as a kid growing up in California.  In the early 1980's, I was in the same first grade class as a little boy who had AIDS.  As other parents removed their children from this classroom in fear, my dad and a few other parents chose to educate themselves, their children, and their communities. My dad is gay and I have known several of his friends and partners who died of AIDS in the late 80's and early 90's. These experiences gave me a great deal of compassion as well as awareness of the challenges of people living with HIV and AIDS and the need for widespread education. I am a yoga teacher with Yoga for Wellness and a mental health counseling graduate student.

Duane Was Here

a.l.p.h.a. "Duane was Here" - will launch in June of 2010 and will be an effort to build a compassionate message about HIV and AIDS all across the state, a 44 county 1600 person collaborative network to give Idaho the opportunity to get educated, get tested and to prevent and support those impacted by HIV and AIDS. 

If you are interested in learning more about a.l.p.h.a., volunteering, inviting a.l.p.h.a. to come to you, please contact us at 208 424 7799 or e-mail us at office@alphaidaho.org. 

You can also find us on Facebook (search Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS) or check out or website, that will be getting updated soon at alphaidaho.org. 

a.l.p.h.a. is a 501(c)3 non profit organization - so all donations are tax deductible you can DONATE online at ‪http://alphaidaho.org/33/make_donation.



Thank you to Consumer Financial Solutions and all a.l.p.h.a. supporters.

Special Kudos to Jaki Covington, Jory Clay Sutton, and Brian Millett for volunteering and creating the video. You rocked out a rad video!! (Duane Was Here)

HIV: ID

HIV: ID is the third chapter of the HIV: USA creative writing and documentary film project that incorporates HIV positive participant writings into a film that encourages HIV testing and promotes HIV prevention and education.  Jason Wilder Evans captured something beautiful, powerful and vital to bringing humanity to HIV and AIDS.  (HIV:ID video)

Unveil Silence

All Ages Silenced

This is a campaign that was launched in 2009 during National Women & Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day. Thanks to the generous donation of genius and talent of Lance Phillip Foster of Justis Photography; this campaign has a very poignant message and a very direct look at what silence in relationships look like. The tape symbolizes the block between significant others, parents & children, friends, and others we may share a relationship.  For some, this tape may be embarrassment, lack of education, fear, denial, religion, policy or law...you name it. The campaign asks you to UNVEIL SILENCE - remove the block and speak caringly to one another about HIV and AIDS.  I am touched by the message in the pictures.

Mixed Silence

Silent Mother and Daughters

Mothers and Daughters Silenced

Unsilenced Mother with Silenced Daughters

Jani Belcoe, Twin Falls

My name is Jani Belcoe and I am a tester and the Assistant Office Manager at a.l.ph.a. Magic Valley. I am currently finishing my MSW and was unsure what direction I wanted to go and what population I wanted to work with; since I began volunteering at a.l.p.h.a. last December, I have found my niche. Being able to address the need for knowledge and support in the human population, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS is what makes my heart glow. I am so thankful for a.l.p.h.a. to provide me that.

Kavin Dehner, Boise

I am currently the Office Manager at a.l.p.h.a. and have been with the organization for almost 8 years.

In that time I have held many different positions.  My time with a.l.p.h.a. has been the best in my life.  When I am not involved I always feel like there is a piece of me is missing.

My time with a.l.p.h.a. has prepared me for more than I ever expected.  It has made it possible to be with and love the most amazing person in the world. We have been together for 5 years and without the knowledge and experiences I have had with a.l.p.h.a. I would not have been ready for this relationship because my spouse is HIV positive.  We found out that Jerry was HIV Positive about 2 months into our relationship and it has brought us closer and made our life together much richer because my passion and work affects us both and is a joint passion.  I never thought before a.l.p.h.a. that I would be able to have the strength as a person to date someone, let alone be married to someone with something like HIV. 

Now that I am the Office Manager and get to do this work full time. I wake up everyday thankful for the work I get to do.  I know that the work I do makes a difference.  I also get to work with some of the most amazing people from all walks of life that without a.l.p.h.a.; I never would have come in contact with them.  I am thankful everyday for my amazing co-workers and the partners we work with, and all of the amazing clients who enrich my life more and more every day.

Duane Quintana, Boise

Diagnosed with HIV May of 1999 at the age of 20 about 9 months after my infection at the age of 19. Share my story with HIV for the first time at Kuna High School at the age of 21. "I'm just me, just like you" Award Winning Documentary - A story about my and my family's response to HIV diagnosis in small town Idaho - Summer 2002 Founded a.l.p.h.a. in 2003 at age 24. Road to Hope Tour I & II from D.C. to San Francisco. "Duane was here" conceived November 2009 and begins August 2010.

Boise Weekly Condom Inserts

Boise Weekly Condom Inserts made the news stands this week and we couldn't be happier about it.  Check out the link and see what the reaction was by some of the citizens of Boise.  Not only are we getting the message about HIV and AIDS prevention and education, but we are letting the community know that a.l.p.h.a. is a valuable resource and we are here to stay!

Jonny Walker’s Blah, Blah, Blog!

As I sat down to begin this first installment of my Blah, Blah, Blog there were a number of things weighing on me that I felt I was obligated to touch on. According to NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors) there were at least 7,900 Americans on waiting lists to receive assistance from ADAPs across the nation. A year ago (April 22 2010 to be exact) the number of people on ADAP waiting lists in the United States had reached 929 and we in the world of HIV care and Prevention were up in arms. We were calling our congress people, we were calling the white house, and we were updating our social media accounts. We got busy taking action. The answer we were told was making our elected officials aware of the issue and convince them of the necessity to get our ADAPs more money. Gradually things got worse. We began making trips to Washington DC to meet with the elected officials we had been calling. We made trips to Capitol Hill and Pennsylvania Avenue. We were told that 126 million dollars was all that we needed to stop this thing in its tracks. We had members of the senate and house write amazing bills that went know where. The leadership we had hoped to see from the Obama administration was lacking at best. The Democratic leadership in both the house and senate ignored bills that would have ended the ADAP crisis where it was at simply because they were written by Republicans. All the while person after person was being told they would be placed on a waiting list to get life saving medication. States continued to cap enrollment and dis-enroll people from ADAP. At the same time Gilead, maker of the HIV drug Truvada showed total revenues of $7.95 Billion in 2010 (up 13% from 2009).  Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co., makers of the HIV drug Reyatez showed revenues for 2010 of $21.6 Billion. As the list of people, of mothers and fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters, of Americans who wait for their medications rapidly approaches 8 thousand we are told not to worry, that everyone who needs their medication is going to get it. Even as anecdotal stories emerge out of the Deep South, of people dying of Pneumonia who also happen to be HIV positive and on ADAP waiting lists, we are told that no one is going without their medications. We are told that the drug manufacturers are doing “everything they can” to help people living with HIV and AIDS. The CEO of Gilead took home a $50 million dollar bonus last year. That is not his salary for the work he does, but extra money he received for the company being so profitable. I wonder if he could have lived with half that? Is that really doing “everything they can?” It seems the more money Government pumps into ADAP the bigger the bonuses and profits for Big Pharma seem to get. I am not trying to convince you of anything, just hopping you will look at the dollars we are talking about, and hoping that you realize that those 7,900 people are our friends, and neighbors, and family.  I don’t know about you but this makes me angry. In the wealthiest country in the world, couldn’t we spread some of the wealth, at least to keep people alive? Maybe I am missing something. I’d love to hear what you think.        Jonny Walker 

Tasha Wiegand, Boise

My name is Tasha Wiegand.  I am pursuing a degree in psychology at Boise State University with the hope of going into counseling.  I started working with a.l.p.h.a. in January 2011 for my Service Learning project for an abnormal psychology class.  HIV and AIDS has been a cause that I have been involved with for the last 16 years, and I now have an opportunity to work closely with an organization that advocates education, testing and support.  I am currently the Assistant Office Manager and love the staff and wonderful volunteers I get to work with on a daily basis.  I know that a.l.p.h.a. will forever be a part of my life and my heart.

Jesse Coburn, Boise

My name is Jesse Coburn. I have recently just moved to the Boise area. I have been working with a.l.p.h.a. for about 3 years now. I have a lot of passion for working in the HIV and AIDS community. I am currently a student at the College of Southern Idaho studying Human Service. By time I graduate next year my goal is to be a HIV and AIDS Case Manager in the Treasure Valley. 

Daniel Fredrickson, Boise

My name is Daniel Fredrickson and I've been a volunteer at a.l.p.h.a. since October 2010. Currently, I'm the Internet and Social Media Coordinator. I keep a.l.p.h.a's website current, and coordinate events throughout Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

I became involved with a.l.p.h.a. because I felt a need to give something back to the community. I wanted to help out in a field relevant to me, and HIV and AIDS prevention was at the top of my list. I am hopeful that through education, we can spread awareness and help to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in Idaho, and make it an issue that people aren't afraid to talk about.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the amazing volunteers at a.l.p.h.a and to be a part of a genuinely compassionate community.

Robbie Falconburg, Twin Falls

My name is Robbie Falconburg. I am currently the Office Manager and Testing Coordinator for the Twin Falls Office. I started a.l.p.h.a. in June 2010 and have dedicated a lot of time and effort to make sure that we have an office in the Magic Valley. I was born in raised in Jerome Idaho and graduated from Jerome High School in 2005; I am currently working on getting my degree in Nursing. I am only 24 years old and feel that I have accomplished a lot in my life. a.l.p.h.a. has become a part of me.