| Women now make up half of all people living with HIV worldwide. It’s an astounding figure.
As part of its work in reaching out to women, Colorado AIDS Project is introducing SISTA, a program for women living with HIV. The five session workshop encourages women to identify their "triggers" – circumstances that lead to risky sexual behavior and/or drug use – and create a plan for healthy living.
"Triggers may ignite behaviors, and to make the best decisions possible, women need to be aware of their own triggers," said Rachel Hansgen, prevention and education specialist for Colorado AIDS Project and co-leader for the SISTA project. "Women who wrestle with poverty, substance abuse, histories of sexual abuse or domestic problems, live with issues that may cause them to make choices that are not healthy. Like anyone using drugs, be it cocaine or alcohol, it will compromise her judgment. Financially difficult situations also contribute to women engaging in unhealthy activities to meet a need, be it sex for money or drugs."
Led by Crystal Noel, a Certified Addictions Counselor and director of substance abuse services at the Empowerment Program, participants in the five week SISTA program discover for themselves that they are strong, intelligent individuals who matter in the world.
Noel earned certification to teach the SISTA project through the Centers for Disease Control. Originally the project was designed for high-risk African American women. Noel modified the curriculum, with CDC approval, to make it available to all women. Her efforts paid off, as the class is now comprised of African American, Latina, and Caucasian women.
"That’s how HIV is. It touches all women, so it makes sense that the class should be for all women," said Noel.
Group work is the structure of the program, which creates community, and friendships that extend beyond the program.
"I like teaching the course because it has structure and the women like the structure. The homework gets the women engaged and ready for the next week. When these women earn their certificate at the end, it shows that they have knowledge to pass on to other women. It’s really like a peer education," said Noel.
To date, the sessions have been held in the evening, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on a weeknight at a location close to downtown Denver. Free childcare and food is part of the program. As the women progress, they each develop a plan with manageable steps that they can take to be successful in living more healthy lifestyles and managing their own triggers. | | "It’s too much to tell someone to change all at once, but we can find steps that lead to healthy choices. Each step builds on the one before it to create positive change for these outstanding women. It’s not about overburdening them to live a healthy life all at once. It’s about defining what steps they can take to get there," said Hansgen.
In between sessions, the women have homework such as talking to partners about safe sex, or addressing issues of drug use. But they aren’t just told to "go talk." They act out conversations with partners. They practice putting on a condom. They giggle. And they learn to tap into their own inner strength. They learn to understand that they deserve healthy, quality lives and how to carry out healthy behaviors at home.
The participants also identify the characteristics of strong women, and share their ideas about what makes these women models to watch and emulate. Additionally, they learn about passive, aggressive, and assertive styles of communication, and learn why the assertive style is the best communication method. Through the process the women learn phrases that help them to be open with their partner, care for themselves, and engage in honest conversation.
Over the years, CAP has offered courses for women who were at high-risk for contracting HIV. This is the first time CAP is doing a program for women living with HIV. The sessions will be ongoing, with the goal of offering one every month.
"The women tell me they thought they knew everything, but they tell me they learn more through this course," said Noel.
"There is an instinctual element in women to support one another and gain strength from each other. The program allows women to see how unique they are and realize they can be role models for other women," said Hansgen.
Editor’s note: To learn more about SISTA contact Rachel Hansgen at 303-837-0166, ext. 405 or write to rachelh@coloradoAIDSproject.org.
Marking 21 years of service and commitment, Colorado AIDS Project is the oldest and largest nonprofit, community based AIDS service and education organization in Colorado. Its mission is to serve its 1,800 clients with services such as bilingual case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, a food bank, housing and transportation assistance, and emergency financial assistance. CAP also reaches thousands more through its bilingual HIV prevention and education programs, as well as the free and confidential HIV testing offered twice a month at its youth and adult testing clinics. For more information, visit www.coloradoaidsproject.org or call 303-837-1501. |
