AIDS Healthcare Foundation goes any Distance to save Lives in Panama. By: Brian Shepherd | October 14, 2026 Updated: 5:56 pm For people living in remote communities in Panama's mountainous Ngäbe-Buglé region, reaching health services can require community members to travel hours or even days, with transportation costs creating another barrier to care. AIDS Healthcare Foundation's program in Panama, called AHF Panama, is working with the Ministry of Health and local leaders to bring HIV testing, prevention education, and connections to treatment directly to these rural communities - work featured in a new short documentary, Saving Lives No Matter the Distance. The inspiring film follows AHF Panama teams as they make those long journeys into remote communities to provide free and confidential rapid HIV testing, counseling, and prevention education. Rather than waiting for people to come to a health center, teams bring services closer to residents who might otherwise face significant geographic, economic, and stigma-related barriers to HIV services. "No one should be left behind, especially those who face greater barriers to opportunity and access to health care, as many Ngäbe-Buglé communities do," explains Natasha Dormoi Eluf, AHF Panama Country Program Manager. She adds: "We came here to listen, to work alongside the communities, and to help amplify their voices, so that society can better understand their culture, their realities, and the challenges they face - and respond to their health needs with greater humanity, respect, and effectiveness." Building trust is key. AHF Panama works with youth, community and government leaders, and traditional healers known locally as sukias. Trusted figures in Ngäbe-Buglé communities, sukias can help bridge cultural understandings of health and HIV services, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed. By bringing services closer to people who have historically faced barriers to care, the program is helping to identify previously undiagnosed HIV cases and link people to treatment. Increased outreach, including social events like in the picture above, and active case finding are expanding the health system's reach into communities that have traditionally been difficult to serve. The end result will be healthier people taking drug treatments, which will also help control the spread of HIV. Brian Shepherd is an Associate Director of Global Policy and Communications at AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Out of Hand marks 25 Years of dialogue and social change through the arts with 2026-2027 season. Anniversary Season Features New Productions Designed to Bring Communities Together ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, August 7, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Out of Hand, the award-winning social impact arts organization, today announced its 2026-2027 season which also marks 25 years using theater to drive conversation, build empathy and inspire action. The season features original productions, community-centered performances, facilitated dialogues, youth programming and innovative partnerships that strengthen communities through the arts. "As America also marks a milestone this year, Out of Hand's 25th anniversary season invites audiences to reflect on where we've been and how we move forward together," said Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director Ariel Fristoe. "Through performances, civic collaborations, workplace programming and community conversations, we are thrilled to continue our mission of creating spaces where empathy leads to understanding and dialogue becomes a catalyst for lasting change," said Co-Executive Director and Activism Director Adria Kitchens. Out of Hand Theater Shows in Homes feature one-act plays on community issues produced in living rooms across Metro Atlanta. By transforming living rooms into stages for dialogue, hosts create opportunities for neighbors to engage in honest conversations about issues affecting the community and become part of the solution. "Status" by Anterior Leverett Opening August 22 "Status" follows members of an HIV/AIDS support group who rally around a newly diagnosed man struggling to reconcile his diagnosis with the life he has built. "Status" is presented through Out of Hand's partnership with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC). The intimate production shines a light on HIV in Atlanta, where approximately one in 51 people is living with HIV, which is nearly twice the national average, and where Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately affected. "Anybody's Game" by Kelundra Smith Opening February 5, 2027 "Anybody's Game" examines economic mobility in Atlanta through stories of working families navigating the region's affordability crisis. Inspired in part by Brian Goldstone's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, There Is No Place for Us, the production shares the experiences of residents living in an Atlanta extended stay motel and explores how, in the game of life, winning is often based on circumstances beyond our control. "Anybody's Game" was developed in partnership with Mayor Andre Dickens, United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and Atlanta Way 2.0. Out of Hand Dinners, a theatrical monologue or play sets the stage for a facilitated dialogue rooted in the values of equity and inclusion during a meal, either virtually or in person. Using our award-winning Equitable Dinners model, theater and a meal become a space for courageous community conversation. Returning for another season, the We Hold These Truths series includes four short plays which spark conversations about American democracy, identity and the future of our country: "American Dream," written by Jeilianne Vazquez, examines immigration through the perspective of a Latino teen "Ancestral Reckoning," written by Marcie Rendon, examines our past and our future through a Native American perspective "Faded Dream," written by Melissa Simmons, examines the impact of unemployment and the disillusionment of the American economic dream from the perspective of a rural White father "Tell Them About the Dream," written by Dana Stringer, examines the power of dreams, imagination and community from the perspective of a Black, Southern pastor Out of Hand Dinners for Organizations Out of Hand has partnered with businesses and organizations across metro Atlanta to provide opportunities for meaningful dialogue and stronger organizational culture. These customized facilitated experiences help teams build trust, strengthen communication and navigate complex conversations through the organization's unique blend of storytelling, shared meals and structured dialogue. Out of Hand Impact Creative Kids Theater classes for students in underserved Atlanta schools build confidence, empathy and self-expression through free, in-school and after-school programming year-round. Students develop storytelling, creativity and collaboration skills that extend beyond the stage. In 2025-2026, 96% of students improved in communication, collaboration, creativity and confidence, based on teacher assessments. This season, Creative Kids will provide 600 classes for 400 students. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in partnership with Performance Hypothesis, Out of Hand will continue its nationally recognized "EqVax" program, attending civic and community events throughout Atlanta. The program combines evidence-based information with authentic storytelling to foster trust and informed decision-making. Civic Collaborations Partnership with Status: Home Opening Winter 2027 Out of Hand has partnered with Status: Home, Atlanta's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS permanent supportive housing for homeless or low-income individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. Building on the themes from Status, this series examines housing, community and the fullness of the lives of people beyond their housing challenges and HIV status. The series offers audiences the opportunity to see the real life stories of people behind the numbers. Celebrating 25 Years Since its founding in 2001, the organization has become a national leader in social impact theater, using performances, facilitated dialogue and community partnerships to address issues ranging from racial equity and public health to housing, democracy and belonging. The 2026-2027 season honors that legacy while looking ahead to its next chapter, reaffirming the organization's commitment to using the arts as a catalyst for stronger, more connected communities. Additional performance dates, venues, ticket information and registration for community events will be announced throughout the anniversary season. About Out of Hand Founded in 2001, Out of Hand is an award-winning social impact arts organization that uses theater, conversation and creative experiences to build empathy, strengthen communities and inspire action. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Out of Hand continues to create original productions, facilitated dialogue, educational programming and community partnerships that bring people together across differences to engage with the issues shaping our world. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. 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New collaboration between PAHO and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to expand early HIV diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean