from the director

Welcome to the first issue of On Point. We’ve started this e-newsletter to help keep NEED’s volunteers, friends, and colleagues up to date about who we are and what we’re up to. We’ll follow no set schedule but just send out a new issue whenever we have news to share. We welcome your comments, ideas, contributions, and suggestions. E-mail us at onpoint@berkeleyneed.org.

Christina Muller-Shinn
Executive Director

need goes legit -- we're a 501(c)(3)!

In April NEED became a registered charity and certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. After years of working outside the system, we’re beginning a new chapter.

NEED was founded in 1990 by activists who defied laws against needle exchange by distributing syringes on a street corner out of a baby carriage. Today we receive state and city funding, but volunteers elsewhere in California are still getting arrested for providing clean needles. We know it’s dangerous to get too comfortable.

After much debate we decided that the red tape necessary for nonprofit status was worth it, to protect NEED’s future and do the best job for our clients. Our spirit and ethics haven’t changed, but our new status will help us expand funding sources. Tell your friends—donations to NEED are now tax deductible!

students stage fundraiser

A group of Cal students is organizing a fundraising evening to benefit NEED that features a screening of Bums’ Paradise, Tomas McCabe’s award-winning documentary about the Albany Bulb. Members of the filmmaking team will be there discussing the movie. Turn out on Sunday, May 17, to enjoy this wonderful film and support NEED and our great volunteers!

What: Dinner, movie, and a raffle for great prizes
Where: Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. at Woolsey, Berkeley
When: 7:30pm, Sunday, May 17
Cost: $10 (includes dinner and 3 raffle tickets); tickets available at the door. There is a sliding scale for those who may need it.

where the rubber meets the road

The state budget crisis is hitting NEED where it hurts. For most of 2008, the Berkeley Public Health Clinic donated about 3,000 condoms every month, which we distributed to sex workers and injection drug users as part of our goal of reducing HIV and Hep C infections.

Now, the budget crunch means the Clinic can no longer supply us so generously. And our own budget doesn't provide enough funding for all the supplies we need. We are looking for organizations or companies willing to help us with donations so we can maintain this essential service.

countdown (q4 2008)

we NEED your help!

The funding NEED receives from government agencies isn't enough to cover the cost of the syringes and other supplies we distribute every week. Please help us protect our community from HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other health threats. Checks, money orders, and in-kind gifts are gratefully received -- and now they're tax-deductible!

Donations can be sent to:
NEED
830 University Avenue
Berkeley, California  94710

For more information, call NEED at 510-510-981-2316 or e-mail donate@berkeleyneed.org.

If you're on Facebook, you can join our Facebook Cause and donate money that way.