Opportunity
to Help Others
Avoid HIV/AIDS by Sharing Personal Stories
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication
Programs (JHU/CCP) is assisting an out-of-town videographer in
the
production of a documentary about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Baltimore
City.
Funded by a national foundation, the project seeks to include
a series of
inspirational personal testimonials and appearances at local events
as part
of a community outreach program. The goal is to encourage HIV
prevention
among those who engage in risky behaviors, and to inspire persons
living
with AIDS to maintain treatment.
For this purpose, we are looking for dramatic examples of people
who are HIV
positive and have not only survived physically and emotionally,
but who are
interested in helping others though their personal testimonials
and routine
activities. It's a chance to inspire other people living with
HIV/AIDS,
educate the general public, and hopefully prevent the further
spread of the
epidemic.
Specifically, we are searching for two examples that somewhat
fit the
description below:
A gay man (MSM) 20-50 years old, preferably African American,
who at one
time may have been "on the down low" but has now "come
out of the closet"
and is successfully coping with the stigma and realities of being
HIV+. This
individual could become a role model to others with self-image
issues, lack
of confidence and fear of stigma. The ideal participant will be
articulate,
poised, professionally employed, and in a long term committed
relationship.
Someone who has been an injecting drug user and became infected
with HIV
from sharing contaminated needles. Preferably, but not necessarily,
female,
age 20-40, Caucasian, and successfully completed a drug treatment
program.
Their life has been seriously altered by illegal drugs and HIV,
but they are
determined to "stay clean" and rebuild. They may have
relapsed in the past
but this time they believe they will make it.
If you know anyone who even vaguely fits the descriptions above,
please have
them send an e-mail to Patricia Reid at preid@jhuccp.org or call
410-659-6289. Ask them to complete the brief form attached and
send reply by
e-mail or fax (410-659-6266) by Tuesday July 22nd.
All information will be treated confidentially and not revealed
to anyone
other than the project team without permission. A written consent
form will
be required to participate in the video which enables selected
participants
to receive a one-time monetary compensation for appearance in
the video, and
additional payments for each personal appearance. It should be
understood
that some personal appearances at local events would be expected
as part of
a community outreach program associated with this project.
Be sure to include contact information in the form attached so
those
potential candidates can be scheduled for interviews sometime
in the next
two weeks.
Thank you for your assistance with this worthwhile project. Your
referrals
and/or participation will hopefully contribute to our mutual goal
of
stopping the spread of HIV in Baltimore.
Baltimore HIV/AIDS Video Contact Information
(Please complete as much information as possible)
Name:
Address:
Phone Number(s)
E-Mail:
Referred by:
Please provide a brief description of the personal story that
you think
would be inspirational to include in this video.
Thank you for your interest. All information submitted would be
treated
confidentially. You will be contacted for an interview if chosen
by the
producer for consideration.
###
If you have questions regarding the article please try to contact
the appropriate organization. In case your question was not answered,
you're welcome to contact SAIM via email: info@saim.us
|
