query: HIV/AIDS prevention organizing

[colist-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu]

[ed:  thanks to Julie, Helen, and Luz for responding to Janey's query on 
organizing HIV/AIDS prevention.]

From: Julie Davids <jdavids at CritPath.Org>

I would encourage you to look at the organizing stories of needle
exchange
programs. While the Federal funding ban on needle exchange still
exists -- despite well-documented evidence that needle exchange
is a very effective means of preventing HIV transmission without
increasing drug use -- local communities have come together to
initiate exchanges and, in many cases, win local funding.

The Lindesmith Center, a drug policy organization, has a San Francisco
or Oakland office (sorry, can't remember which) which should be
able to connect you with community leaders in harm reduction and
needle exchange.

*************************

From: "Hartnett, Helen P" <helenh at ukans.edu>

Ewalt and Poole, eds. (1998) Community Building: Renewal, Well-Being, and
Shared Responsibility, provides good examples of multiple forms of community
building, there are several health examples and others that may be
transferable.

Helen P. Hartnett
Asst. Professor
University of Kansas
School of Social Welfare

**********************

From: Luz Guerra <lguerra at mindspring.com>

Dear Janey,

You might try contacting National LLEGO (the National Latino/Latina
Lesbian & Gay Organization) for a copy of Cultura Es Vida Community
Organizing Workshop Curriculum, which they produced in 1997. It is a
facilitator's manual for a series of workshops (or one stretching over
several days) addressing the challenges to prevention in the Latino/a
communities in the U.S. -- such as racism, anti-immigration attitudes,
internalized oppression, coming out, poverty, misinformation, addiction,
etc. It was developed by a working group composed of HIV/AIDS activist
organizers, educators, medical personnel, consumers, prevention
activists and others.

While the constituents the manual was originally meant to engage were
members of Latino/a lesbian/transgender/bisexual/gay communities, I have
seen it used by experienced organizer/facilitators for other communities
as well -- heterosexual community organizers & health professionals,
immigrant activists, and others.

National LLEGO
1612 "K" Street, ste 500
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-8240

If you are unable to locate a copy through LLEGO please let me know.

Luz Guerra
San Antonio, TX
lguerra at mindspring.com