Volunteering with Heart
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| James Nicacio (right) poses with Community social worker assistant Mark Campbell. Nicacio volunteers with Community's Special Services HIV/AIDS Program. |
He was told he was HIV positive. He was handed a phone number to call and was left with nothing else. With the shock of having a chronic disease and lack of support, he battled three years of depression and denial. Now after self-education about the disease, he is back on his feet and is determined to give support to others in need.
Nicacio, 38, is now a positive advocate at Community Medical Centers’ Special Services HIV/AIDS Program, which aims to provide support for those living with HIV and AIDS. He volunteers his time to help those newly diagnosed with HIV and AIDS.
“When they’re in an awkward place, I’m here to tell them I’ve walked that road and I know what they’re going through,” Nicacio said. “I’m here to let them know there are people here to help them.”
Nicacio is involved with the community, currently helping put together Art from the Heart, an art auction and wine tasting benefit for Community’s HIV/AIDS program on Sept. 22.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to Community’s HIV/AIDS program, the largest provider of primary care, social service and support for people in our community living with HIV and AIDS. More than 2,100 patients have been treated since 1989.
Services include primary and specialty medical care for patients, case management and psychosocial services. Outpatient care is offered to those of all ages. The program offers home visits and provides patients with the opportunity to participate in research, support groups, education activities, recreational events and consumer advisory committees.
Nicacio actively assesses needs for patients with HIV and AIDS, from housing to dental care to bus tokens. Then he helps them find those services.
After his initial diagnosis, Nicacio wanted to make sure others would not have to go through what he had.
“I don’t scream it out from the mountain tops, but I’m not secretive about it either,” Nicacio said. “I need to be accepted for who I am and what I have.”
He urges others to take a step forward and support the battle against the disease.
“HIV and AIDS affect different people from all walks of life,” Nicacio said. “The more that it’s not talked about, the longer the stigmatism will remain.”
Along with his volunteer work at Community, Nicacio is the president of We C.A.R.E., an organization Committed to Advocacy for HIV positive people, as well as to provide them with the skills to advocate for Respect and Empowerment, through support and compassion. He facilitates the group, addresses the needs of the HIV community and works towards improving care.
Nicacio is also the co-chair of the Community Planning Working Council, which works with local agencies to assess the needs of the community and volunteers with Housing Opportunities for People living with AIDS (HOPA).
“I thought to myself, ‘wow, I could really make a difference,’ so I kept getting involved,” Nicacio said. “It’s important to stand forward and to put a face on the disease.”
This story was reported by Millie Tang. She can be reached at mtang2@communitymedical.org.