Project H.O.P.E.

         Project H.O.P.E. is one of the few HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the Washington Metropolitan area that is being implemented by a community-based organization. We have been successfully reaching at-risk individuals with this program since 1995.

Project H.O.P.E. (Helping, Outreaching, Preventing and Empowering) is a STD, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention program targeting African American and Hispanic women at risk for STD and HIV infection and drug addiction. This six-week program provides skills-based training and teaches self-esteem concepts to program participants who are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behavior. The sessions focus on changing risky behaviors through didactic and interactive training methods. Health educators encourage participation in lively discussion groups and implement culturally appropriate interventions adapted for gender, age, language and sexual orientation. Pre- and post-tests are given to assess participants' knowledge and retention. Incentives are provided to encourage attendance and participation, and to reward participants for their accomplishments.

Project H.O.P.E. effectively utilizes a small group discussion format to meet its objectives. Health professionals provide HIV prevention sessions for four to eight women in community settings such as homes, shelters, churches and community centers. The small size of the groups encourages open and frank discussion about sensitive issues such as sex, low self-esteem, domestic violence, drug use, HIV and STD testing, etc. In previous years, Project H.O.P.E. has met the following objectives:

• Increased the knowledge level of women about HIV/AIDS and STDs
• Influenced attitudes and beliefs about safer sexual practices
• Enhanced women's ability to communicate with partners about STDs, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse
• Increased participants self-esteem
• Expanded access to community resources
• Reached a total of 567 participants in the 1999-2000 operational year, and 942 women in the 2000-2001 operational year.

This program has had remarkable success, and some of our accomplishments with Project H.O.P.E. include (since 1999):

• Conducted 1,440 small group educational sessions in community settings
• Reached an estimated 15,000 African American women
• Conducted 100 HIV/AIDS training seminars and workshops at community events
• Referred 969 participants to HIV and STD testing clinics in Montgomery County
• Distributed approximately 15,000 male and 4,200 female condoms per year
• Participated in four community health fairs
• Disseminated 45,384 brochures between July 1995 and June 2001
• Provided outreach to more than 1,800 women between October 1999 and March 2002.