Open Arms of Minnesota - "Never Give Up"

Never Give Up
A book of stories by Kevin Winge

Nearly 400 people joined us at The Woman's Club to celebrate the publication of Never Give Up, written by Open Arms' executive director Kevin Winge. Actors Linda Kelsey, T. Mychael Rambo, Patrick Scully and Sally Wingert did a number of readings from brand new book, which benefits Open Arms' programming in South Africa. Some photos from the evening are shown below:

All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit Open Arms of Minnesota. For more information about the book, go to www.nevergiveupbook.com. Email Kevin, the author, at nevergiveup@openarmsmn.org with questions or to schedule an appearance.

Link to stories about Kevin Winge and reviews of Never Give Up:
Minneapolis Star Tribune on Monday, June 19th
Lavender Magazine's August 4-17 issue
Mshale Newspaper that published on the August 1.
St. Joan of Arc members comment on Never Give Up and book launch event

The book is $15.95 and is now available for purchase at Open Arms of Minnesota, at www.amazon.com, www.itascabooks.com and at a variety of book stores.

Kevin Winge Publishes First Book
"Never Give Up"

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS FROM THE FRONTLINES OF AIDS PANDEMIC ARE STRONG CALL TO ACTION ON THE 25TH ANNIVERARY OF HIV/AIDS

(Minneapolis, June 5, 2006) Never Give Up: Vignettes from Sub-Saharan Africa in the Age of AIDS by Kevin Winge is a highly personal collection of true stories about the AIDS pandemic, from New York City in the 1980s to sub-Saharan Africa today. As 2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic, Never Give Up is a timely book that puts the disease into cultural context, raising questions about international health issues, cross-cultural experiences, racism, and homophobia.

In his role as executive director of Open Arms of Minnesota, Winge shares his firsthand knowledge of the realities and challenges facing people living with the disease. While earning his master's degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Winge traveled to the townships outside of Cape Town, South Africa, where he lived and worked with AIDS workers for six months. The book chronicles his daily activities through accounts of the people he came in contact with and the experiences he encountered. Emotional and deeply personal, the lives and conditions depicted in Never Give Up are an urgent call to action for all of us to respond to this devastating disease with compassion and determination.

All proceeds from the sale of Never Give Up benefit Open Arms of Minnesota's HIV/AIDS programs. More information about the book is available at www.nevergiveupbook.com.