Nithin Pusapati
It’s surreal that I am already starting my fourth full week of work. In the few short weeks that we’ve been in this city, I have already come to love so many things about it! Work at NO/AIDS has so far been great. Erica and I definitely keep busy at work since we have a lot to do. As of right now, our work is primarily focused on developing and enacting a comprehensive social media plan for NO/AIDS’s Dining Out For Life event on July 17th.
Because participating local restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds that day, Erica and I have been using social media to feature all the participating restaurants, along with NO/AIDS’s mission to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. New Orleans has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the country. Furthermore, as I learned at work, as many as 1 in 6 people infected with HIV, don’t know they have it. Combining these two statistics with the fact that having HIV/AIDS is still, sadly, a huge social stigma makes it difficult to provide care for those who need help. From providing treatments and counseling to assisting with housing and food, NO/AIDS acts as a support system here.
So, by increasing awareness for Dining Out For Life and other events, Erica and I hope to increase the amount of proceeds that will go to the organization to continue these services. Being savvy with social media has been key in promoting the organizations events. From posting at the right time to “hashtagging”—shameless plug right here, #DiningOutForLife #nola #NOAIDS—correctly, managing social media is a fine art indeed. So far, we’ve been able to increase traffic to NO/AIDS’s facebook page by upwards of 200%!
Even though we have a lot to do, I’ve looked forward to going to work every day. The NO/AIDS development department is small, but Erica and I already feel so comfortable with Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie—there’s never a dull moment at work. Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie have all been amazing resources to us. In addition to giving us their cell phone numbers on the first day of work should we ever need it, they have also given us the opportunity to check out all the other departments with NO/AIDS. For example, this past week, Erica and I had the chance to visit the CARE van, a mobile testing unit, on National HIV Testing Day. It was amazing to see people come out and get tested! From these experiences in and out of our office, I’ve already learned so much about NO/AIDS and HIV/AIDS. Hopefully, we’ll be able to check NO/AIDS’s other locations in the city this upcoming week!
On a broader level, I’ve realized that the best thing about this city is the people who live here. Sure, the food and entertainment are phenomenal—I’m still waiting for the day I get sick of poboys—but friendliness and genuineness are what define the city for me. From the men and women who operate the streetcar to the taxi service operator who carefully explained to me how one properly orders a cab in the city, I am amazed by how outgoing everyone is here.
It goes without saying that Hurricane Katrina completely devastated this city. And even though parts of this city still need help in building and revitalization, I believe the fact that New Orleanians have not given up on this place is a sign of awesome the city and its inhabitants are. From what I’ve seen, New Orleans is a community and it was the strong community spirit present that has helped to rebuild the city.
In short, people here will make time for you, but they don’t have time to be fake. So far, I’ve come to not only admire the great work NO/AIDS is doing, but also the resilience of the people here. I think I too would like to be a little more New Orleans. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity work with NO/AIDS and I can’t wait to see what the few weeks hold!
Because participating local restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds that day, Erica and I have been using social media to feature all the participating restaurants, along with NO/AIDS’s mission to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. New Orleans has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the country. Furthermore, as I learned at work, as many as 1 in 6 people infected with HIV, don’t know they have it. Combining these two statistics with the fact that having HIV/AIDS is still, sadly, a huge social stigma makes it difficult to provide care for those who need help. From providing treatments and counseling to assisting with housing and food, NO/AIDS acts as a support system here.
So, by increasing awareness for Dining Out For Life and other events, Erica and I hope to increase the amount of proceeds that will go to the organization to continue these services. Being savvy with social media has been key in promoting the organizations events. From posting at the right time to “hashtagging”—shameless plug right here, #DiningOutForLife #nola #NOAIDS—correctly, managing social media is a fine art indeed. So far, we’ve been able to increase traffic to NO/AIDS’s facebook page by upwards of 200%!
Even though we have a lot to do, I’ve looked forward to going to work every day. The NO/AIDS development department is small, but Erica and I already feel so comfortable with Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie—there’s never a dull moment at work. Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie have all been amazing resources to us. In addition to giving us their cell phone numbers on the first day of work should we ever need it, they have also given us the opportunity to check out all the other departments with NO/AIDS. For example, this past week, Erica and I had the chance to visit the CARE van, a mobile testing unit, on National HIV Testing Day. It was amazing to see people come out and get tested! From these experiences in and out of our office, I’ve already learned so much about NO/AIDS and HIV/AIDS. Hopefully, we’ll be able to check NO/AIDS’s other locations in the city this upcoming week!
On a broader level, I’ve realized that the best thing about this city is the people who live here. Sure, the food and entertainment are phenomenal—I’m still waiting for the day I get sick of poboys—but friendliness and genuineness are what define the city for me. From the men and women who operate the streetcar to the taxi service operator who carefully explained to me how one properly orders a cab in the city, I am amazed by how outgoing everyone is here.
It goes without saying that Hurricane Katrina completely devastated this city. And even though parts of this city still need help in building and revitalization, I believe the fact that New Orleanians have not given up on this place is a sign of awesome the city and its inhabitants are. From what I’ve seen, New Orleans is a community and it was the strong community spirit present that has helped to rebuild the city.
In short, people here will make time for you, but they don’t have time to be fake. So far, I’ve come to not only admire the great work NO/AIDS is doing, but also the resilience of the people here. I think I too would like to be a little more New Orleans. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity work with NO/AIDS and I can’t wait to see what the few weeks hold!