Congressman Johnson congratulates STAND on Federal award for HIV testing services

LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today visited and congratulated STAND Inc. [Standing to Achieve New Directions] for receiving a $300,000 annual grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

STAND – based on Covington Highway in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District – is one of the Metro Atlanta’s leading community-based organizations focused on HIV, domestic violence and substance abuse intervention and prevention services as well as comprehensive re-entry services for men,

The grant will be awarded Oct. 1 and run each year until 2015.

“STAND can point to many success stories, thanks to the excellent work they are doing in our community,” said Rep. Johnson, a strong supporter of funding for HIV prevention and awareness. “This award is well deserved – STAND’s work is helping people live healthier, happier and more productive lives.”

Charles Sperling, STAND’s founder and executive director, said the grant will go toward “Project Getting Connected 2 – which will buttress HIV testing and prevention efforts.

“We’re very happy with the award. This grant allows us to continue our now more than 10-year mission of providing critical HIV counseling and testing services in south DeKalb,” Sperling said.

“I want to thank Congressman Johnson and his office for assisting us, and we look forward to continuing to work to together in service to our community.”

Above: Congressman Johnson meets with members of STAND -- Standing to Achieve New Directions -- a non-profit on Covington Highway, which is receiving a $300,000 annual grant for HIV testing and counseling from the Department of Health and Human Services.

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