HIV Testing and Counseling Services
We provide HIV testing and counseling services to Alameda County area men and women, mostly of minority ethnicities, who are considered at highest risk for HIV/AIDS. We offer our clients the option of both rapid (OraQuick) testing (with results in 20 minutes) and/or standard (OraSure) testing (which takes about 2 weeks for results). In either case, our professional team of HIV Test Counselors provide each person with compassionate, confidential, one-on-one prevention education via street and community outreach activities that insure an improved level of knowledge about their personal health needs; how to access medical/mental healthcare and other local area services; and, of course, the provision of personal tools for reducing further HIV transmission.
Life Circle Support GroupWe also offer assistance to young men who have been diagnosed (and are living) with HIV/AIDS via our Life Circle Support Group. The group meets bi-weekly and has a monthly social outing that attempts to negate ‘social isolation’ and ‘depression’ – which are major negative co-factors associated with the stigma of an HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
CRCS Program
Men at very high risk of HIV/AIDS are also engaged in our Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) Program. This is a longer term intervention program involving a risk assessment intake and at least 5 sessions of personal counseling utilizing cognitive behavioral restructuring, motivational interviewing, and solution focused counseling to identify and engender positive behavior change. Older (African American) men between the ages of 35 and 65 are also given focus, and are involved in a risk assessment protocol with education/skill building and social learning theory to identify and modify their special risk behaviors.
3MV ProgramOur Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) Program specifically targets African American men who self-identify as Gay (or not). The program offers 12-15 hour workshops with topics that include self-esteem, cultural stigma and expectations, partner selection, HIV/STD prevention, boundaries, and healthy lifestyles. The program’s main objective is to move clients through stages of (positive) behavior change – utilizing peer support in addressing behavior modification – while identifying barriers, examining negative beliefs and attitudes, and encouraging confidence in maintaining new modified behaviors.
Services RV
Volunteers of America Bay Area inaugurates an innovative new community outreach campaign by introducing a Prevention and Health Services RV. This RV is sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and supported by Alameda County Office of AIDS. The Prevention and Health Services Program will use this vehicle to extend their outreach into the community, allowing them to reach more individuals as well as provide more services and education. In addition Volunteers of America Bay Area will use the RV as an opportunity to collaborate with fellow agencies and support city programs.
HIV Testing and Counseling Services
We provide HIV testing and counseling services to Alameda County area men and women, mostly of minority ethnicities, who are considered at highest risk for HIV/AIDS. We offer our clients the option of both rapid (OraQuick) testing (with results in 20 minutes) and/or standard (OraSure) testing (which takes about 2 weeks for results). In either case, our professional team of HIV Test Counselors provide each person with compassionate, confidential, one-on-one prevention education via street and community outreach activities that insure an improved level of knowledge about their personal health needs; how to access medical/mental healthcare and other local area services; and, of course, the provision of personal tools for reducing further HIV transmission.
Life Circle Support Group
We also offer assistance to young men who have been diagnosed (and are living) with HIV/AIDS via our Life Circle Support Group. The group meets bi-weekly and has a monthly social outing that attempts to negate ‘social isolation’ and ‘depression’ – which are major negative co-factors associated with the stigma of an HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
CRCS Program
Men at very high risk of HIV/AIDS are also engaged in our Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) Program. This is a longer term intervention program involving a risk assessment intake and at least 5 sessions of personal counseling utilizing cognitive behavioral restructuring, motivational interviewing, and solution focused counseling to identify and engender positive behavior change. Older (African American) men between the ages of 35 and 65 are also given focus, and are involved in a risk assessment protocol with education/skill building and social learning theory to identify and modify their special risk behaviors.
3MV Program
Our Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) Program specifically targets African American men who self-identify as Gay (or not). The program offers 12-15 hour workshops with topics that include self-esteem, cultural stigma and expectations, partner selection, HIV/STD prevention, boundaries, and healthy lifestyles. The program’s main objective is to move clients through stages of (positive) behavior change – utilizing peer support in addressing behavior modification – while identifying barriers, examining negative beliefs and attitudes, and encouraging confidence in maintaining new modified behaviors.
Services RV
Volunteers of America Bay Area inaugurates an innovative new community outreach campaign by introducing a Prevention and Health Services RV. This RV is sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and supported by Alameda County Office of AIDS. The Prevention and Health Services Program will use this vehicle to extend their outreach into the community, allowing them to reach more individuals as well as provide more services and education. In addition Volunteers of America Bay Area will use the RV as an opportunity to collaborate with fellow agencies and support city programs.