Prosper! Women Living with HIV

The Women's Collective is bringing back their popular Prosper! Group for women living with HIV. HIV positive women are invited for food, pampering, peer support, and "plenty of love and fun as we let down our hair and open our minds."

The next group starts on October 11th, 2007, but individual sessions are ongoing. An incentive is provided for every other individual session and at the end of the 10 group session. To see if you are eligible, or for more information call (202) 483-7003 and ask for Abby or Roshah.

Speakout Reports: Women's Breakout Session

Several organizations co-sponsored a DC HIV/AIDS Speakout on May 17th, 2007. I will be posting the reports from each of the breakout groups throughout the next week. The final outcome document from the Speakout will be published on the DC Fights Back Website. If you'd like to get involved, please be sure to join this yahoo group.

Our Women's breakout group was moderated by the amazing Cherie Lindsay from Our Place DC. Other individuals on the panel included Marie Sansone from the DC Department of Health, and DC Fights Back member Dorithia Akins.

One of the topics the group tackled was HIV/AIDS research. The group would like to see more trial study opportunities for women, and would like to see studies that take their needs into account (i.e. childcare, etc ...). The group also discussed the importance of women-focused research like Microbicide Research, and specifically, the need to have more money for Microbicide Research (Barack Obama has introduced the Microbicide Development Act of 2007 in the Senate which if it succeeds, will address this).

The group also talked about the need for a clinic specifically for women, a 'one stop center' for women in the district.

Other issues that were brought up included: job placement, skills building, life skills/time management, respite, and support groups.

I hope that the folks in this working group continue working on these issues. If I missed something or you have additional things to add, please do so by posting a comment below.

Click here to download the flip chart notes from the Women's Breakout Group.

HIV/AIDS Job Opportunities in DC

Is it time to look for a new job? There are several interesting opportunities at local and national HIV/AIDS organizations in DC. Here is a peak.

La Clinica Del Pueblo has three job openings for folks who are bilingual. They are looking for a Housing Case Manager. They're also looking for a Program Manager and a Program Coordinator to work on CDC funded prevention programs.

The Women's Collective is seeking a Policy Advocate to work on Microbicide Research Advocacy. Don't know what a microbicide is? Then click here.

The National AIDS Fund is seeking a Program Coordinator to provide leadership for special initiatives, primarily a new philanthropic initiative focused on HIV/AIDS and the criminal justice system.

AED is seeking a Program Manager who will be responsible for supporting the management and implementation of the NIH HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative (NHVREI).

Get working on those resumes!