African Services initiated and sponsors New York City’s first African support group for people living with HIV and AIDS.
The
gathering began in 1998 with a handful or participants; fear of being
identified as HIV-positive kept many immigrants from coming forward in
their own communities. With the nurturing of African Services’ case
managers, who facilitate the multilingual meeting, it has developed
over time. Today, support group is 40 members strong and continues to
grow as a powerful statement against HIV stigma.
This weekly PWA support group has become an important source of
information, mutual support and networking for HIV-positive immigrants
in New York City. Increasingly, it is also a forum for AIDS advocacy on
the part of clients, with increasing attention turning to the AIDS
epidemic in their countries of origin and to local policies affecting
their communities.
For more information or technical assistance in starting a PWA
support group, contact Claudette Francois at (212) 222-3882, extension
109.
