When: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Where: At over 30 of participating restaurants throughout Indianapolis, each of whom understands how community support and increased sales can go hand in hand! Each participating restaurant will contribute 25%-50% of their total food sales the day of April 24th to the Damien Center. -This means that, just by dining out with your family and friends at our participating restaurants, you can help those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

What: On Thursday, April 24, 2008, thousands of Indianapolis diners will patronize participating local restaurants as a result of their commitment to support the Damien Center's main fundraiser, Dining Out For Life.

Throughout the year, over 40 other cities in the United States and Canada will also participate in this national event.

Who: Dining Out For Life is an event presented by the Damien Center, who will be the beneficiary of this event.

The Damien Center provides services to more HIV positive clients than any other AIDS Service Organization in the state, and hundreds of our clients' friends and families of choice are also seen through our support services. Services are designed to assist clients and families with the specific problems and concerns encountered in living with HIV/AIDS. Since the Damien Center's inception in 1987, it has served in excess of 4,500 clients with HIV/AIDS and more than 13,000 of their loved ones. Current programs include: care coordination and case management, mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling and referral, a food pantry, legal services, housing and emergency assistance, personal financial counseling, support groups, transportation assistance, HIV wellness programs, youth programming, prevention programs, HIV testing and counseling, a speaker's bureau, education and community outreach, and volunteer services. In 2006, the Care Coordination Team saw 1,280 unduplicated clients, and the Prevention & Testing Team provided 1,204 HIV tests throughout the community. The mission of the Damien Center is to empower persons in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity and to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV.