Last Stop: Navajo Nation

August 12th, 2010

After 24,000 miles, which is almost the circumference of the earth, performing a total of 5,255 tests Testing America wrapped up with it’s final stop on the Navajo Reservation. We had the pleasure of working with Jeremy, Stella, and Sasha from the Navajo AIDS Network (NAN)  and New Mexico Department of Public Health.

The unique qualities they hold are simple: passion, community and commitment.  Regardless of the vast rural landscapes, dry deserts, and rocky terrain they have found a way to network with effectiveness that they all benefit from. There are over 13 different organizations and programs dedicated to fighting HIV and have different but powerful strengths.  These agencies and indulviduals meet every other month to plan future events, share stories on our daily efforts, and provide support to push forward.  The Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation has no real money dedicated to HIV prevention other than from NAN and the Navajo Nation HIV prevention program in Tuba City.  This poses problems due to the newly diagnosed cases reported from the Navajo Indian Health Services, which were 40 new cases for 2009.  This number is the highest since 1987 when the first cases on the reservation was documented.  This may only be a reflection of the increase of testing and awareness that they have offered through out the last year.  American Indian populations, although a smaller population than African American and Latino populations, still need more support and funding dedicated to HIV prevention services, and interventions specifically created for American Indians.

“We have come a long way and we still need to overcome many other obstacles, such as stigma, discrimination, and misunderstanding.  I believe the more prominent we are as a working group the more people we reach with the same message of prevention.” said Sasha.

“Stigma, alcoholism, drug usage, rural area, lack of education, lack of transportation, traditional native values vs. Western Values, discrimination, stereotyping the Native Gay and Trans community as nothing but drunk, sex addicted people, lack of Native GLBT role models and lack of funding for HIV prevention services. Some people out in the community say that they are not a part of demographic and respond with “I don’t need to get tested because I am not gay.” said the team. Many people have very low income therefore driving to Gallup, purchasing supplies (condoms), and even getting tested becomes the last thing to worry about.  There is a lack of resource as well, telephone communication is a barrier. Not many Navajos have cell phones because in many places on the reservation there is a lack or no cellphone towers, even landlines, or even money for minutes. Which makes it harder for people to find resources in there local community. There are a lack of  leaders in the area to educate our local communities as well.” the three shared with me.

Stigma on the reservation and within our community believe that this subject is a taboo and that its not a Navajo problem and to speak of it would bring the illness to our population. In the Navajo language there is no terminology so there for it is difficult to explain the epidemic to our elders.   They still see people saying it is a gay man’s disease, individuals of the gay community stating they are not “high risk” thus HIV does not effect them, others state that there is a cure and really don’t feel the need to protect themselves.  The behavior of MSM and them not disclosing their sex partners and behaviors by saying they are not gay just so they feel they are not able to contract the virus. Many say that HIV is only in larger cities and they cant get it. Some say, just because this person is young, their image, their innocents, or even being married keeps them away from HIV too.

I asked the three given the challenges of providing services with Navajo Nation how they got involved in HIV Prevention:

Stella-I felt I was led to this field. At the time of my start in HIV prevention I was in a period of personal transition.  I found sobriety, and a new sense of self.  I was encouraged to pursue this field through other HIV prevention workers, whom quickly became friends.  Not far into my new career a close friend was newly diagnosed with HIV.  I knew at that moment I was where I needed to be, to continue fighting the various barriers, and raise awareness for the Native Gay, Bisexual men, and Native Transgender Women through the Native Brothers, Nizhoni SISTA, and Healthy Relationship workshops that I facilitated with Jeremy.  It has become a personal mission to keep my community informed and safe, and although I work with the New Mexico Dept of Health as a Disease Prevention Specialist now, I continue to educate. I continue to inform. I continue to instruct.  I believe in my community and the strength to overcome this epidemic.

Jeremy- I was chosen to work in this field. My mentor Marco Arivso saw a light inside me that I didn’t see in myself. Through his encouragement and support, I have become the fearless educator at Navajo AIDS Network. I am a proud Navajo Gay man from Twin Lakes, NM. I provide HIV prevention services for Native Gay/Bi men and Native Transgendered women. I have been in recovery from drugs and alcohol for nearly two years and I use my experiences of addiction to guide others towards a healthy lifestyle. We offer FREE workshops such as Native Brothers (Native Gay/Bi Men) and Nizhoni Sistas (Native Transgender Women) as well as Healthy Relationships for people living with HIV/AIDS at Navajo AIDS Network, Inc. The Navajo Nation has been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and I am proud to stand on the front lines fighting the epidemic. My passion as a health educator has become personal because I am witnessing Navajo gay, transgender, men and women losing the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Sasha- I am in this field because I want to help out my Navajo community. HIV/AIDS is on the rise and seeing lives being affected saddens me. Volunteering for Navajo AIDS Network Inc. for nearly 7 years has sparked a passion for educating the GLBT and non GLBT community members about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  When I applied for this position I set a personal goal for myself which was to educate as many people as I can, and testing others to get knowledge of their status and encouraging others to do so as well.  Education should always be given to protect our past, present, and future. When educating I make the difference. I am introducing knowledge to someone who will be capable of practicing a safer lifestyle. Encouraging people to get tested to know their status this is an accomplished feeling and awesome to see that I am making a difference in a life.

Jeremy, Stella, and Sasha from the Navajo AIDS Network

Jeremy, Stella, and Sasha from the Navajo AIDS Network

NAN would just like to commend all the members of their HIV Prevention Community Planning and Action Group of New Mexico, specifically our Region 1 members. They have showed the true meaning of teamwork and dedication. The team appreciatives to know all of you and the amazing work you provide. You can visit our NMCPAG website at www.nmcpag.org, Navajo AIDS Network at www.navajoaidsnetwork.org, the New Mexico HIV Guide Resource List at www.nmhivguide.org.  We have also created our new Gallup Pride website at www.galluppride.org, where we offer these resources as well.

Testing America would also like to give a huge “THANK YOU”, to all of our partners on the road who made this such huge success, we hope to have made some impact in the world of HIV with this tour. Keep us bookmarked, other journeys are just around the corner! Next stop, the ADAP crisis!

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ADAP=LIFE

July 23rd, 2010

While we wrapped up the Testing America tour in New York City, we felt the winds changed as we were called to the city of Des Moines, Iowa to rally support for the more than 100 patients on a state waiting list for the AIDS Drugs Assistance Program, life saving medicine that people need when living with HIV. From Kansas City we drove north in the Iowa heat for two special events. The first a testing event in the heart of Des Moines followed by a rally and call to Senator Harkin to help allocate the more than 125 million dollars to eliminate ADAP waiting list across the country.

While in Des Moines I had the pleasure of working with Taz Clayborne Minority Prevention Specialist for AIDS Project of Central Iowa. As we coordinated the different events I asked her why she wanted to participate, “I am a Breast Cancer survivor so I know how crucial access to proper medications was to my treatment and recovery. HIV/AIDS cannot continue to be looked at as a “sex thing”, it must be seen as a health crisis. Hundreds of people in Iowa and thousands across the country are waiting for the money that will allow them access to medications that will improve and lengthen their lives. Having a waiting list for lifesaving medications only hampers prevention efforts. I have had people tell me that they don’t want to get tested because if they happen to be infected they couldn’t get medications anyway. We have to tell our Government that ADAP matters, that it is important, that it is saving lives.” Tuesday she made her views known with full passion.

She also spoke to me about Iowa and HIV and her community, she said “My community, the African American community; is still in a deep state of denial about HIV/AIDS. “We don’t get infected by it, so we are not affected by it”, is the mindset. There is stigma about simply getting tested. “Only Gays need to get tested & since I’m not gay, I don’t need to be tested” is something I hear often. The lack of knowledge about HIV in the community; what it is, what it isn’t and how you can become infected as well as how you can’t. Prevention starts with education and teaching the community that HIV/AIDS doesn’t who you are, what color you are, where you live, who or how you love or how young or old, how rich or how poor is a huge step over the largest barrier in my community.” She continued to tell me that it’s important initiating the conversation with individuals within the community is key.

“Getting our young people engaged in healthy relationships, empowering young women of color in ways that allow them to not only cultivate self-respect, but to become role models of healthy behavior within the community.”

While Des Moines currently has low infection rates in both the Latino & African American communities, the possibility for those rates to increase rapidly is very real due to the close knit sexual networks that operate within both communities. While their primary focus is prevention, they are continuously looking at education, individual and community level intervention programs in the Latino & African American communities in order to stave off new infections by educating those within these communities. The AIDS Project of Central Iowa adds to the uniqueness of HIV prevention in the communities that they serve. We take a holistic approach to HIV/AIDS, they realize it’s not all about prevention. It’s about offering support to their communities and the individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Taz continued to tell me why she choose to work the field of HIV prevention “After working as an educator in the public school system & years in corporate America. As an educator I worked with teen moms and saw first-hand the lack of prevention efforts within my community. I must admit that frustration led me away from teaching and into the corporate arena where I didn’t have to connect with the people I worked with and for. After losing a dear friend to complications related to AIDS, I decided I needed to do something; wanted to do something so I began volunteering for the agency I currently work for. I found my niche. It is a feeling, a passion, a drive! I grew up in the community I work with and for, it is my home and I believe that if you can change one life, you’ve changed the world.”

We have much respect for an everyday hero like Taz and the incredible work she and The AIDS Project of Central Iowa do everyday for those effected and affected by HIV/AIDS

Taz from Des Moines

Taz from Des Moines

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1 out of 9 at NAACP

July 16th, 2010

We recently concluding our six month, 48 state national cross country HIV testing tour, however we made a stop at the 101st National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention in Kansas City, Missouri last week for a four-day testing event where over 500 people were tested. As we had on the tour AHF’s mobile testing unit offered free HIV testing throughout the five day event and during that time, a total of 519 people came to AHF’s mobile testing unit to be tested. Based on the total attendance over the first four days, 1 in every 9 attendees were tested.The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization and the conference is regarded as the a huge event for those engaged in civil rights advocacy. Joining Testing America were our amazing board members who organized our participation!

This testing event with the NAACP is part of a collaborative effort to raise local and national awareness about the importance—and ease—of HIV testing and to challenge attitudes about moving toward a streamlined model of HIV testing and counseling nationwide.

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The Bronx Does Know!

July 3rd, 2010

With the success of Testing America we wanted to end our forty-eight state tour with the New York City Department of Public Health on National HIV Testing Day on June 27th.  Leading up to our final day of testing we conducted testing in Harlem, Brooklyn, Bronx, and ending up in Queens. Working with many collaborative partners and the Health Department we were able to perform more than 330 HIV tests and distribute more than 10,000 condoms!

Queens, NYC

Queens, NYC

In the last six months we have seen how the HIV epidemic is being prevented across the country. There are many challenges, some unique but most barriers each city has in common. We know that stigma around HIV and the lack of funding will perpetuate the spread of HIV. We have met heroes from each city who work hard to prevent this spread, link those in need into care, and seen first had how they deal with stigma in their communities.  One of these heroes we met on our last stop was Andrea Mantsios, Director of Expanded HIV Testing Initiatives for New York Department of Public Health.

It was on National HIV Testing Day,  June 27, 2008 that the New York City Health Department launched The Bronx Knows, the largest HIV testing initiative in New York City’s history to date.  Andrea told me that the goal of this initiative is for all Bronx residents between the ages of 18 and 64 to learn their HIV status and to link those who test positive to medical care and support services.

The Bronx Knows

The Bronx Knows

“This is about reaching those Bronx adults who have never been tested for HIV within the three years of the initiative.” said Andrea. She explained that the Health Department has joined with more than 70 community partners, representing over 100 testing sites, to carry out this initiative. The Bronx Knows partners include hospitals, community health clinics, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, and educational institutions throughout the borough.

“I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished with our partners in the Bronx and look forward to a fantastic third year!” exclaimed Andrea!

Bronx residents have received more than 375,000 HIV tests since the launch of The Bronx Knows. The initiative has helped 1,275 people learn they are HIV-positive – a realization that is important both for their own well being and for the safety of their partners. Two-thirds of those diagnosed with HIV through the initiative have also been linked to care and services, and what a better way to end Testing America then by collaborating with The Bronx Knows to celebrate the end of year two of their initiative.

I asked Andrea what she thinks is unique about the city where she works and she told me that New York City is a place people are drawn to from all over the world.  In a place where people from all different backgrounds work and live, the cultural complexities of doing HIV prevention work are challenging. “We are working on a domestic epidemic that often has an international feel to it.” she said.  She went on to say that there is a strong sense of partnership and camaraderie among organizations working on HIV in the Bronx.  With a common goal to decrease the spread of HIV in one of the most heavily affected boroughs of NYC, organizations throughout the Bronx work together as partners and make the most of existing resources by referring to one another for needed services.

“The people, the energy, the commitment and the partnerships make the Bronx an invigorating place to be involved in the fight to stop the spread of HIV.” she explained this is what drives her to do the work she does.  Andrea said that  the challenges they currently face in HIV prevention is a sense of complacency towards HIV, particularly among young people.  The perception that HIV “isn’t a big deal” or “isn’t so bad” is a dangerous one that diminishes HIV prevention messages.  “While we celebrate advances in treatment, we also need to stress that AIDS is still a very serious disease that no one should have to live with — HIV is 100% preventable.” she said.

I asked Andrea how she got into HIV prevention and she explained that she chose to work in HIV prevention because she wanted to help make a dent in turning this epidemic around and she saw very concrete ways to bring about change.  “This is what sparked my initial interest in leading HIV education workshops with my peers back in high school but it was not until I led HIV education workshops in East Africa some years later that I began to more fully understand the complexity and challenges of HIV prevention work.  I wanted to empower others to be a part of turning this epidemic around by arming them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.” and empowered the people of the Bronx and beyond she has done along with her amazing colleagues at the New York Department of Public Health.

Andrea said that stigma around HIV still exists and plays a major role in people not wanting to get tested for HIV and not wanting to disclose their status if they are HIV positive. Misperceptions about HIV are still prevalent and HIV positive people still face discrimination.  “At the forefront of all HIV prevention work should be the objective of decreasing the stigma that still exists around HIV.” she concluded. Bravo to Andrea and her amazing team led by Dr. Monica Sweeney

At the forefront of all HIV prevention work should be the objective of decreasing the stigma that still exists around HIV. There is no other way to explain what Testing America is about. Eliminating Stigma and making HIV Testing accessible to the country!

Eric and myself now make our way back to Los Angeles, however we are not done yet. We will be stopping at the 101st National Convention of the NAACP, Iowa, and concluding with the Navajo AIDS Network in Gallup, New Mexico at the end of July!

Andrea from New York City

Andrea from New York City

(click to enlarge)

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20,000 Miles!!!

June 25th, 2010

After 4,300 tests, and entering the final state on our tour, Testing America marked it’s 20,000th mile entering the streets of Harlem and in the days leading up to National HIV Testing Day, Sunday, June 27th, the AHF’s Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ Tour will wrap up our six month, 48 state national HIV testing tour in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and The Bronx Knows Campaign—in four boroughs of New York City—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens.

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Vermont Does Care!

June 24th, 2010

During our forty-seventh stop of Vermont we had the pleasure of working with Vermont Cares and Shayne the HIV Prevention Program Director who took some time to talk with me about the work they do and what makes Vermont unique and like to many of the places we have already visited on the road. She explained to me that In Vermont, many people have a false sense of security about HIV transmission because our numbers of infected people have been fairly low. This means that even getting HIV/AIDS issues out in the open to be discussed can be a challenge. However she states, “Once we cross that first barrier we find that overall Vermonters are really interested in healthy sexuality education for themselves and their children.”

Vermont is both very liberal and very conservative. For HIV prevention, they have to be really adaptable and efficient with our messages. “By being respectful, consistent, and inquisitive, we hope to challenge people to learn more about HIV and what role they can play in preventing future infections. For Vermonters living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom live in small, rural communities, stigma is a real issue.” she explained and continued to tell me that people are afraid that lack of education about HIV/AIDS means that they could be shunned by their communities if their status is discovered. This is something we have seen way too often during Testing America.  One of the unique things I found about Vermont Cares is the fact they did not wait for approval or funding from their Health Department to start rapid HIV testing, they knew the community needed and just did it! This is the type of action it takes to get ahead of the virus, and Vermont Cares is on target!

Shayne started in HIV testing in 1999 while working at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado. “From the beginning, I could see how important and empowering (and scary) taking an HIV test was for people. I felt honored to share that experience with them and committed myself to doing what I could to promote good quality education about HIV/AIDS.” she explained

Vermont CARES is so proud to be the #1 provider of rapid HIV testing in Vermont. Their prevention education programs reach over 5000 Vermonters each year and their syringe exchange program disposes of over 40,000 needles each year.

Shayne from Vermont

Shayne from Vermont

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New Hampshire

June 22nd, 2010

It was interesting to learn that New Hampshire our forty-sixth stop, has only allowed rapid testing to take place in community settings only four months ago. “This has been a challenge for sometime” said Josiah Richards, “HIV testing has not been a priority in the state, especially when it comes to funding these programs.” In fact we learned while at the testing event that Josiah had been laid off and was on his last week at Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force, which is a private, nonprofit agency, works to increase the quality and availability of knowledge, services,  and resources in all matters relating to HIV infection and AIDS to people in Southern New Hampshire. Josiah explained all prevention programs are only funded by the enters for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and that the state does not set aside any funds at all for prevention. I verified this via the website for states Department of Health and Human Services website.

Although local agencies struggle to get the message out there, we encountered stigma about HIV just being parked at the site. As we did out reach we saw children on bikes that wore stickers on their helmets portraying President Obama as Hilter, other people would say as they walked by “That is only for the gays, I am okay, I don’t need a test”. We knew then we were in the heart of the Tea Party country. Josiah explained in few words that there is a lot of stigma and told me “If funding is not a priority in this state, then you know breaking down stigma about HIV is even less, people take the approach only the gay community is affected.”This is apparent when trying to look up the most recent facts about New Hampshire, the state has not updated their epidemiology since 2006 on their website.

Bravo to Josiah for working in such a stigmatized environment!

Josiah from Nashua, New Hampshire

Josiah from Nashua, New Hampshire

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The Blaming Game

June 21st, 2010

Even more important than Celtics versus Lakers Game Seven of the NBA Finals was our visit to Boston. By now most folks know that Testing America The tour is using a new mobile HIV testing unit named after the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. He was part of a legendary rivalry between the Lakers and Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics and Testing America was in Boston the day of Game Seven of the Finals. Naturally being form Los Angeles we were wearing our purple and gold while everyone one around us had their green on. And even though it was another chapter closed when the Lakers beat Boston 83-79 for their 16th championship, it was also a win for us and our collaboration with Casa Esperanza, Inc. in the Boston’s south side. www.casaesperanza.org

Casa, an organization that was founded with the mission to help men, women and families overcome homelessness, recover from alcoholism and drug addiction, gain the skills they need to be self-sufficient, contributing members of society and to repair and strengthen families torn apart by substance abuse.  Over the last two decades Casa has developed a holistic, client-centered approach to treating individuals and families with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, helping more than 2,600 people gain the skills they need to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society and reuniting hundreds of families torn apart by addiction.

The crowds came from all over the south side and constant throughout the event, especially since we had not identified so many people in need of immediate linkage to care in a single day before on the tour.  Especially since 90% of people who tested were Latino. Wilfred Labiosa, Director Relapse Prevention & Outpatient Services for Casa explained that the face of the Latino community in Boston is changing constantly, now it is not just the Puerto Rican community living in this city but all Latin American Countries are represented.  Their prevention message needs to be one that is cultural and linguistic appropriate to all and not the few.  “We cannot assume that one message works for all, instead we need to be flexible and bring cultural appropriate messages to all.  In addition, the Latino community needs to learn about the diversity of its own community and their needs, from the GLBT community to the religious individuals, from the undocumented to the recent immigrant, from the youth to our aging community, all need education, all need care, all need hope for a brighter future.” said Wilfred.

“The challenges and barriers that I see in providing HIV prevention to the Latino community is that many people are still afraid of talking about sex, substance abuse, and mental health issues.  These three areas affect how we take care of ourselves and how much risks taking behaviors one could take.  We need to be more open about talking on these issues to our youth, adults, and aging communities, from all walks of life. We need to stop the “blaming game” that goes on in our Latino community.” explained Wilfred.

Wilfred is another everyday hero in the battle against HIV who chose to work in this field because he knows that he can make a difference, even if it is just one person at a time.

“The Latino community is one of the most affected by HIV/AIDS and I want to bring consciousness to this issue; HIV/AIDS is not over yet!” he concluded.

Wilfred from Boston

Wilfred from Boston

(click to enlarge)

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Small City, Big Heart

June 17th, 2010

In the final stretch of Testing America, on the road to New York City, for National HIV Testing Day June 27th we stopped in Portland Maine that has an estimated city population was 62,875. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small city or a large metropolitan area, we have seen first hand that HIV is everywhere. While there we had a chance to work with the Frannie Peabody Center which is the largest ASO in the state of Maine. Their prevention programs work to reduce the spread of HIV through outreach and healthy community building activities and currently are running three men’s groups in southern Maine. “It is our goal to reach as many people as possible to help end the spread of HIV/AIDS in Maine.” said Christopher Tripp Outreach Specialist for the agency.

Christopher told me that Maine is a wonderful place to call home, where you can live in the center of a small city, or on a farm where your neighbors are miles away. “This is truly what Maine is about…different people loving their own lives, exactly where they want to.” he said.  “Yet this can also be a challenge as geographical area creates new issues when trying to prevent the spread of HIV. And while I am quite sure we are not alone in this struggle, it is certainly on our radar.” I asked him what he thought were some of the challenges in providing services in Maine and he explained that the state tends to be a pretty unique place where historically they have a live and let live attitude, which is great and all, but can cause some barriers when attempting to provide quality HIV Prevention services to their community. “Lack of community discussion around sexual health topics and awareness could also be pinned as a barrier. But I think the largest challenge we face here in Southern Maine is still stigma.” he explained.

Stigmas of all kinds still exist. Every day people are facing stigma about their status, disclosure, and other sexual health issues. The fact is, stigma regarding HIV/AIDS in Maine is a reality, whether we like to believe so or not. “What we now need is comprehensive education about sexual health, which is real, valid and appropriate. I think the more we speak up and educate, the more visible we make HIV and the Prevention of HIV, the better off we will be in the long run.” he said.

Christopher said he fell into his job, rather unplanned at the time, but he would not have it any other way. “I have always been interested in working closely with underserved populations and sexual minorities. When the chance for employment arose at Frannie Peabody Center for counseling, testing and field outreach I knew this was where I needed to start.” Overall he chose to work in HIV Prevention to have an impact on the community that he calls his family.

“I want to be part of a larger change in this world, and preventing the spread of HIV is a perfect place to start.”

Christopher from Portland, Maine

Christopher from Portland, Maine

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HIV Road Warrior

June 14th, 2010

This was our second time partnering with Planned Parenthood during Testing America and while in Pennsylvania, our forty-third stop, we had a chance to speak with the Cheryl who manages the local PP about what are some of the challenges to providing services in the area. We knew she was serious about prevention when she rolled up on her custom chopper decorated with red ribbons. A true warrior not afraid of riding the city talking to youth about prevention!

Cheryl really pointed out some of the barriers people have in accessing prevention services due to the lack of transportation, “Most people who are in need of HIV testing sometimes can not get to the site, or even having or making time to go. Planned Parenthood is open many nights and weekends, but many places are not.” She also pointed out that understanding the importance of getting tested. “They may not even know that they are at risk or that they are participating in risky situation.” said Cheryl.

“This is especially true in thinking about youth and young adults, “I think it’s being able to see themselves as at-risk. It seems that people often still feel as if “it can’t happen to them” and therefore don’t see the need to get tested.”

Cheryl explained that she chose to work in the field because she is passionate for the mission and the cause. She wants to give back to the community and has a personal connection with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “I love knowing that I am helping to empower people by giving them information and access to services. In particular, I love working with youth and knowing that I can help them build knowledge and skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.” she said.

“No job in the world where you can make a difference in someone’s life everyday.”

Something interesting that we found out is because Pennsylvania does not do anonymous testing anymore, some people won’t get tested in the state – they will go to New Jersey or New York, if they can find a way to get there. This really talks a lot about the work that needs to be done around stigma. Most people still tend to think that HIV is a gay disease or people are also still afraid that if they find out they have HIV that their family and friends may shun them.  “I also think people still see HIV as something that you would only get if you use needles or have a lot of partners. They don’t always grasp that you could have unprotected sex with one HIV positive person and contract the virus.” said Cheryl.

Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County is in the community offering HIV testing, family planning services and STD screening services for everyone.  We have services at Bristol, Bensalem, Doylestown, Warminster and Quakertown. We have evening and/or Saturday and Sunday hours in our county (check our website for each site’s schedule at www.ppbucks.org). Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County combines community prevention education and testing which is a unique combination to find in one organization.

Cheryl from Bristol, Pennsylvania

Cheryl from Bristol, Pennsylvania

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