For the last two decades, Teens With a Purpose (TWP) – The Youth Movement has partnered with the Virginia HIV/AIDS Resource and Consultation Center (VHRAC) at the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in Norfolk to bring awareness to at-risk populations.
Tomorrow’s 15th annual AIDS walk is a culmination of a year’s work by over a dozen area churches, individuals, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations. It’s the centerpiece of a multi-day commemoration that includes a Remembrance and Celebration of Life Gala at EVMS.
World AIDS Day is observed worldwide on December 1 each year and is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
Over the decades, the communities most affected by HIV/AIDS have evolved from primarily gay men to African American women. The VHRAC provides training and worked along with Teens With a Purpose to educate and increase awareness and prevention for at-risk populations.
Immediately following the annual AIDS Walk tomorrow, walkers will gather at the teen center where TWP Teens will create story circles facilitating needed dialog about behaviors and risk factors that are rarely discussed openly. To open the dialog, role model stories, the actual testimonies of young people who had put themselves at risk for HIV and how they changed their behavior, will be used by participants. Empowered youth voices, open dialog and knowledge are the ways this youth organization hopes to affect change.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 37.9 million people around the world were living with HIV at the end of 2018. UNAIDS reports 1.7 million people worldwide were newly infected in 2018.
About Virginia HIV-AIDS Resource and Consultation Center
The Virginia HIV/AIDS Resource and Consultation Center’s mission is to expand quality care for persons living with HIV/AIDS through multidisciplinary educational programming for health care providers practicing throughout Virginia.
Supported by the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Disease Prevention, VHARCC works with health care providers, community-based AIDS service organizations, government agencies, professional associations, and academic and community health care centers. In support of its mission, VHARCC offers multidisciplinary education programs and consultations on HIV/AIDS-related issues. http://www.vharcc.com
About Teens With a Purpose
Teens With a Purpose was formed in 1996 by Deirdre Love. In 2007, Teens With a Purpose became TWP-The Youth Movement a 501(c) (3) non-profit youth development organization. The organization is celebrating over 22 years of experience in creative youth development and community engagement and has been recognized both regionally & nationally. Our mission: is “is to create a platform that empowers young people to use their voice, creativity, reflection and action to affect personal growth, transform lives and impact communities.” Simply put, Teens Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders.” Programs are offered in collaboration with Norfolk Recreation, Parks and Open Space at the VCM Teen Center Monday – Thursdays. For additional information visit our website www.TWPTheMovement.org.
