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| HIV Prevention and Education Program |
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The goal of our prevention education program is to reach those at highest risk of HIV infection with proven intervention strategies, strong supportive messaging, educational materials and condoms. Outreach workers engage individuals with high-risk behaviors in conversations about their awareness of HIV/STDs and risk reduction. Participants are asked to answer survey/risk assessment questions, and are followed up with later to measure behavior changes. The development of relationships is crucial. This work is quite challenging since marginalized people, already stigmatized, often feel discomfort around issues of disclosure. We work in close collaboration with local agencies that serve the homeless, veterans, Latinos, youth and women, and with drug treatment agencies, needle exchange programs, and mental health services, all of which greatly enhances our ability to find the most at risk individuals. Outreach workers make appropriate referrals to these community services that address cofactors and barriers to successful behavior change and often help clients follow up on referrals. We consult with local residential facilities regarding their clientele and safer sex practices. These consultations have resulted in better relationships with high-risk individuals. Those we see in the residential facilities, we often see in the streets. We have also had success in improving our internet outreach services. Our MySpace page was recently featured in POZ magazine and we continue to be a resource for many men looking to find sex via the internet. In 2005 Joey Crottogini, our Community Health Outreach Worker that year, won the American Red Cross 'Real Heroes' award.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Thursday, July 15, 2010 Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Thursday, August 5, 2010 Saturday, September 18
NEW! Spring 2010 Volunteer Newsletter
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