RAIN – Regional AIDS Interfaith Network
What We Are All About
Mission
RAIN engages the community to transform lives and promote respect and dignity for all people touched by the AIDS crisis through compassionate care, education and leadership development.
History
Since 1992, RAIN has:
- Provided 101,441 volunteer hours to people living with HIV/AIDS,
- Reached 29,000 individuals with HIV Prevention Educational Presentations,
- Assisted over 525 individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families,
- Trained 2, 500 individuals to serve on CareTeams,
- Coordinated programs in 100 different congregations from 20 denominations & faith traditions, in 13 counties in North & South Carolina.
Advocacy
Congregations play a leading role in Southern communities, where messages from the pulpit influence policy makers, human service organizations and the ordinary person. RAIN engages the religious community in conversations about HIV/AIDS and encourages a theology of love and care for all persons affirming their inherent worth and dignity in the face of social structures and policies that too often overlook or deny their needs.
CareTeams
CareTeams are groups of individuals from congregations or other caring groups who are trained by RAIN to support to persons living with HIV/AIDS. CareTeams provide practical, emotional, spiritual support to CarePartners (individual living with HIV/AIDS). CareTeams can provide assistance to one or more CarePartners or can provide specialized tasks such as: Transportation, Pastoral Care/Companionship or Events.
Volunteering for a Care Team
The opportunity of volunteering with RAIN energizes individuals in faith communities in both rural and urban areas. RAIN church and temple programs encourage discussion and understanding in settings where myths and misinformation hinder compassionate care.
CareTeam Members:
Volunteers attend an initial training session to learn about many aspects of HIV/AIDS:
- Current statistics
- Universal precautions
- Social and emotional impact of the disease
- Spirituality of HIV/AIDS
If you are interested in attending a training session on becoming a CareTeam volunteer, please call RAIN at 704-372-7246 or visit www.carolinarain.org for information.
For information about volunteering for one of the St. Peter’s teams please contact Marco Cipolletti at 704-598-9669.
Other Services offered by RAIN
Prevention Education and HIV/AIDS Awareness
RAIN provides prevention education and awareness about HIV and related psychosocial issues of living with HIV/AIDS to faith and community groups, young people and clergy. Formats vary including presentations, CareTeam trainings, Red Ribbon Days and pastoral summits. Specialized program are offered on spiritual and pastoral issues related to HIV/AIDS.
Pastoral Services
RAIN provides pastoral support in area medical clinics, hospitals, extended care facilities, in the individual's home and by telephone. RAIN also offers support groups for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and worship services.
Minority Programs
RAIN hosts the nation’s largest minority CareTeam program. The Minority program targets the African American community through African American congregations. RAIN is a national partner with the Balm in Gilead and sponsors the Black Church Week of Pray for the Healing of AIDS. The minority program staff hosts Pastors Summits providing culturally appropriate theology training for ministers and lay leaders.