Honoring Advocacy & Awareness: Dr. James DiReda Speaks at AIDS Project Worcester’s World AIDS Day Event
Lake Ave Recovery is proud to highlight the meaningful work of our own Dr. James DiReda, who was invited as a guest speaker at AIDS Project Worcester’s recent celebration of World AIDS Day.
This annual event brings together community leaders, advocates, and service organizations to honor the lives affected by HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and advance the ongoing fight against stigma and health inequities.
During the event, Dr. DiReda shared a deeply personal reflection on his long-standing involvement with AIDS Project Worcester (APW), an organization he has supported since the late 1980s.
As a former member of APW’s Board of Directors, Dr. DiReda played an early role during one of the most challenging eras in the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In the 1990s, he was actively involved in advocacy efforts for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, work that helped shape APW’s commitment to accessible, compassionate care.
His presentation offered an inspiring look into the evolution of HIV/AIDS services over the decades and the importance of continued advocacy, harm reduction, and community support.
About AIDS Project Worcester
Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, AIDS Project Worcester serves as the primary provider of non-medical HIV/AIDS support services in Central Massachusetts. Guided by the core values of:
- Education
- Advocacy
- Service
APW delivers comprehensive programs designed to support individuals and families living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.
Today, APW provides a wide range of essential community services, including:
- HIV, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis testing
- Vaccinations
- Syringe services and harm reduction supplies
- Narcan training and street outreach
- The Joe McKee Care Center
- Counseling and testing services
- Food bank and community garden
- Psychosocial support
- SWAGLY (Support for LGBTQ+ youth) programming
- Housing support and case management
- Transportation services
These programs are rooted in APW’s mission to empower, educate, and advocate for vulnerable populations while combating the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
A Shared Commitment to Community Wellness in Worcester
At Lake Ave Recovery, we believe in the importance of holistic care, community partnerships, and reducing stigma in all forms, including those faced by individuals living with HIV/AIDS and people impacted by substance use disorders.
We are honored to recognize Dr. DiReda’s longstanding contributions to advocacy work in the Worcester community and celebrate organizations like APW that continue to lead with compassion and integrity.