Community Mobilizing Efforts Play Key Role in Fighting the HIV Epidemic

Every week a group of gay men gather together for a workshop series that is part of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Gay Life program. They spend an hour together each week discussing the challenges of being a gay man in San Francisco. Over the course of several weeks, these men form strong ties to each other and gain a better understanding of themselves and their community.

"This series of workshops has been a real gift," explains a recent participant. "Bringing this group of men together and letting that bond grow and strengthen has been so important to me and to others in the group. It helps to build a feeling of inclusion and promotes a greater sense of self. This leads to not wanting to go out and have anonymous sex in order to feel a sense of closeness with other gay men."

Recognizing the potential impact of these types of activities, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's programs have increasingly focused on building and mobilizing communities. While direct services for individuals remains essential, the AIDS Foundation's programs have had a more leveraged impact when they are focused on mobilizing and empowering an entire community.

"Experience has taught us that improving the extent to which individuals feel connected to their community and have a sense of social support greatly increases self esteem and reduces isolation," explains William Bland, Director of Community Programs at the AIDS Foundation. "Individuals affected by these efforts often reduce risky behavior and take more active roles in their health care decisions."

Community-level efforts have been incorporated into virtually all of the agency's programs. For example, the Latino Support Group has been actively involved in raising awareness around HIV issues in the broader Latino community in San Francisco. Group members recently played a significant role at the Dolores Park Fair, handing out HIV information and materials and encouraging individuals to learn more about the group. Similarly, the Gay Life and Black Brothers Esteem Programs in the Foundation's Community Programs Department are both focused on reducing HIV infections and improving HIV health by conducting community-building retreats and workshops. Members are actively involved in designing these activities, which further enhances their involvement in a vibrant and nurturing community.

Included in this issue of OUTReach is a compilation of stories that have come to us from those who have been directly affected by the AIDS Foundation's programs. We will continue to build on these efforts in order to have the greatest impact on our mission to end the pandemic and human suffering caused by HIV.