Empowering young people in the fight against HIV

1. Empowering young people in the fight against HIV

2. Love Heals Mission Love Heals empowers young people in the fight against HIV. Our HIV-positive speakers are putting a face to the epidemic and our youth empowerment programs are training a new generation of community educators and activists. We do this in partnership with hundreds of school and community groups throughout NYC, reaching both young people and those individuals who impact their lives, and placing a special emphasis on outreach to high-risk communities. Love Heals believes that HIV/AIDS education is the right of every person and that it should be taught in a safe and neutral environment, in a nonjudgmental manner, and within the context of comprehensive sexuality education. Love Heals also believes that quality HIV/AIDS education must respect and value diversity, teach tolerance, dispel stigma, foster self esteem, and empower the individual. We believe that young people have the power to effect change and that their voices must be integrated throughout the organization. Love Heals Values SLIDE 2

3. Love Heals Programs LOVE HEALS SPEAKERS BUREAU NYC’s longest-running HIV/AIDS speakers bureau employs a unique team approach to provide the basic facts on HIV/AIDS and the perspective of someone living with HIV. ALI GERTZ: IN HER OWN WORDS This educational documentary and lesson guide chronicles the last four years of Alison Gertz’s life, is approved by the NYC Department of Education and is free to all NYC public schools. ADVOCACY Love Heals contributes its name, voice and resources to defending the rights of young people to HIV/AIDS education, including serving as a founding member of the Sex Education Alliance of New York City (SEANYC) and the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition. ONLINE OUTREACH Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, www.loveheals.org and LEAP FOR GIRLS SLIDE 3

4. Need for Targeted HIV Prevention • 1/2 of all new HIV infections in the U.S. occur among people under 25. • 1 in 70 NYC residents is HIV+, with infections concentrated in specific areas, including the South Bronx, East and Central Harlem and Central Brooklyn. • Of the 30,000 HIV+ females in NYC, 90% are black or Hispanic. 66% of these live in eastern Brooklyn, the South Bronx and northern Manhattan. • Sexual networks are a driving force behind the HIV epidemic. • A 2005 strategic planning process resulted in a commitment to more proactive outreach to communities most impacted by the epidemic. • In 2006, Love Heals cofounded the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition, which undertook a needs assessment. • holistic approach • context in which decisions are made • intersection between HIV and other issues SLIDE 4

5. The Leadership Empowerment and Awareness (LEAP) Program for Girlsis training a new generation of community educators and activists in those areasofNewYorkCitythathavefeltthegreatestimpactfromtheHIVepidemic. …. A Program of LOVE HEALS, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education SLIDE 5

6. Program Overview • TARGET POPULATION: Young women of color 12-18 in East and Central Harlem, the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn. • CONTEXT/INFLUENCING FACTORS: • Peer group influences  Family • Media Religious beliefs • Low perceived risk  Societal views of young women of color • ACTIVITIES: • Partnership with School and/or Community Group • Focus Group/Needs Assessment • 12 Two-Hour Sessions and 2-3 Follow-Up Sessions •  values  communication •  gender roles and sexuality  puberty and anatomy •  teen pregnancy and parenting  STIs and HIV/AIDS •  presentation skills  contraception •  decision making  healthy relationships • Clinic Tour, Community Service Project, Graduation, Parent Workshop, Facilitator-in-Training, Program Intern SLIDE 6

7. Program Objectives SHORT-TERM: Changes in Knowledge STIs, HIV/AIDS, contraception, human sexuality, reproductive systems and anatomy, pregnancy and childbirth, pregnancy options, relationship dynamics, risk behaviors, gender roles, sisterhood and safe space, community resources, myths and stigma, etc. MEDIUM-TERM: Changes in Skills/Attitudes condom self-efficacy and skills, self esteem, leadership, communication skills, comfort discussing sexuality, awareness of gender/ethnicity/ sexual orientation roles and stereotypes, perception of own HIV risk, and awareness of personal values and behaviors, as well as impact of environment, society, family, community, etc. LONG-TERM: Changes in Behavior delayed sexual initiation, abstinence, condom use, improved relationship communication, positive relationships with women, accessing gynecological care, continuing to share information with community SLIDE 7

8. Program Outcomes • DEMOGRAPHICS: • 24 partnerships with schools and community-based organizations • 240 LEAP for Girls graduates • 3,500 community members reached through service projects • 81% retention rate • CHANGES IN KNOWLEDGE: • 30% increase in communication techniques and skills • 3% increase in modes of HIV transmission • 8% increase in reproductive health and rights • CHANGES IN ATTITUDES: • 2-5% increase in self esteem • 4% increase in HIV risk perception • CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR • While the total number of respondents is still too small to analyze, focus groups and one-on-one interviews suggest improvement in condom use, communication and relationships with other women. SLIDE 8

9. Why LEAP for Girls Works • Designed in conjunction with target population • Not just HIV – lots of other factors that put young women at risk • Best practices/research and real-life experiences • Linking facts to psychosocial dimension, skills-building • Builds capacity within participants and communities • Safe space, open dialogue, sisterhood • Facilitators as role models • Participants take on leadership roles as interns, facilitators-in-training • Ongoing engagement through LEAP for Girls Alumnae Program • Online social networking • group learning events • socializing • advocacy and community outreach activities • iLove, an online peer education project • and PARTNERSHIPS… SLIDE 9

10. Partnering with Institutions & Individuals • LEAP FOR GIRLS PARTNERS • Individual schools and community groups • Youth-friendly clinics • Local restaurants and other businesses • Program alumnae • Parents, educators and community leaders • Local and national youth-serving organizations • CHALLENGES • Working off-site • Sustaining involvement • Maintaining partnerships • TIPS FOR SUCCESS • Clear expectations are key! • Regular communication – and flexibility • 360-degree approach • Build capacity within community • Ongoing support and engagement SLIDE 10

11. LEAP for Girls in Action

12. Jasmine Nielsen, Executive Director, jasmine@loveheals.org Britnee Stewart, Peer Educator, ilove@loveheals.org Love Heals Inc. 2 Fifth Avenue #2Q, New York, NY 10011 Tel 212/529-7935, Fax 212/529-7932 www.loveheals.org