Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF)
About SAF
SAF used NCCAF funding to recruit, train and support 17 bilingual (Spanish/English) college students to work as health outreach workers with community and migrant health centers and health clinics in rural North Carolina. The focus of the health outreach and education was STIs/HIV and occupational safety and health issues. In addition, a small group of the interns utilized theater to educate workers about STIs/HIV and other occupational issues.
The Project
Before the program began, SAF was unsure of how the material would be received for the farmworkers. In addition, they were apprehensive of how farmworkers would conduct themselves around female presenters when discussing sexual health. However, their initial apprehension was unnecessary. The farmworkers were extremely respectful and cooperative during programs. SAF found that Latino interviewees were less comfortable speaking about sex, sexual health, and sexual practices. It was perceived as a "taboo" subject. Farmworkers were shy and uncomfortable discussing these subjects publicly. Farmworkers were hesitant to discuss their personal sexual practice in a public forum; especially in front of their friends/coworkers.
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Western North Carolina AIDS Project
About WNCAP
WNCAP used NCCAF funding to put on an HIV Prevention Program for Youth that targeted outreach and education for young African American women and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or are questioning their sexual identify. It also involved the continuation of HIV prevention for youth in after school settings, with an end goal of creating a tested intervention package that can be shared with other Health Educators. Finally, it involved the formation of a regional Youth HIV Prevention Coalition with youth representation
The Project
An afterschool program can be difficult with regard to transportation especially when working with youth who do not drive nor have their own car. Kids are either late because of afterschool transportation issues out of their control or a parent arrives early before the conclusion of a program on any particular day. This leads to youth missing crucial aspects of the curriculum. In the future, it would be helpful to consider addintransportation services in as part of the program.
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Women's Center of Wake County
About WCWC
WCWC used NCCAF funding for The SHAPE (Safety Health And Personal Empowerment) program. SHAPE was an educational program that promoted, supported and sustained gradual and positive change in women who are extremely marginalized due to factors such as: homelessness, severe/persistent mental illness, substance abuse, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a lifestyle dependent on transactional sex (prostitution).
The Project
During their grant cycle, the Women's Center had to close their building for approximately one month because of flooding. Due to the inherently transient nature of the population served by SHAPE it has historically proven difficult to keep women engaged in services. This issue was exacerbated when the Center had to shut the doors for a month. Despite phone calls and mailings to the women, it was difficult to retain them during this period. Some of the participants may feel abandoned and it is likely the program could lose them. Consistency is crucial when working with this population. A disruption of services for the women causes a sever in service provision, incentives to stay connected, and increases barriers to medical and mental health care.
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