I'm #FacingAIDS because it deeply affects the LGBT community of which I am a member of!

-Jason Hsiao

Nobody wants to talk about HIV stigma

Meet the ELs

ELs? eels?

NO!... Not eels, experience leaders!

Meet the ELs for the HIV/AIDS Advocacy and Awareness service experience in New York City.

Experience Leader Name: Elenor Ayaly

About Me: I’m a junior pre-med Biochemistry and Math major from Burtonsville, Maryland. Last spring, I participated in the Alternative Spring Break trip to Harlan, Kentucky and it was an amazing experience. I decided to be a trip leader this year because of how inspired I was by the trip leaders on my ASB trip and all the people we met that shared their different life stories. I’m looking forward to spending time with the patients at TCC and getting a better understanding of how HIV/AIDS changed their lives. New York City is one of my favorite places to visit and I’m excited to be going back with an awesome group of participants. I love to travel and experience new cultures. A fun fact is that I have five dogs and two turtles.

Experience Leader Name: Joanne Angbazo

About Me: I’m a senior Government and Politics major from Rockville MD with a minor in International Development Conflict Management. The AB program has been a huge part of my academic career at UMD as I have participated in/lead AB trips every year since my freshman year--this program helped me find my interests in working on social issues and advocating for people affected by them. I am looking forward to heading out to NYC  to learn about how HIV/AIDS affects a major urban population and how I can help make an impact in addressing this social issue. ...and since I am a total foodie, I am also looking forward to the great food all over the city!

LOOK OUT FOR THE MORE ON THE REST OF THE ASB.NYC TEAM SOON!!!!

Wearing Red: HIV-AIDS Advocacy and Awareness in NYC

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York leads the nation in the number of new HIV cases. And as of 2010, approximately 129,000 people are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in New York. This AB experience is designed to educate participants on HIV/AIDS and why it has turned into an epidemic. Participants will be working with the Terrance Cook Health Care Center learning from and forming relationships with residents living with HIV-AIDS. We will examine how the HIV/AIDS crisis has brought new light on issues such as class as a determinant aspect in accessing healthcare, homophobia in the African-American community and its consequences on gendered, sexualized, and stigmatized identities. We will also gain new perspectives on the lives of sex workers in New York City from organization speakers.

http://thestamp.umd.edu/leadership_community_service_learning/involvement/alternative_breaks/trip_information/spring