It is no secret that minority youth in particular African Americans are one of the largest and fastest growing populations contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS, with substance abuse as a major contributor to the behaviors that put them at risk. On June 27, 2005 from 12:30 pm to 4 pm the YWCA Houston is answering the cry for help in the community with an open house and dedication ceremonies introducing its Health Initiatives Project-Healthy Options for People also known as H.I.P.-H.O.P. The open house will allow the community an opportunity to see what the program is offering, to view the YWCA Gateway facility located at 6309 Martin Luther King Boulevard, and sign students up for the program. Youth ages 10 through 17 are welcome to participate in the program that hosts both coed and separate sessions for participants. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

H.I.P.-H.O.P. is designed to address the needs of minority youth regarding HIV/AIDS and substance abuse education, information, and access to services in an interactive, energetic, and culturally competent environment. “We have sessions and each session level is rewarded for completion with items like t-shirts, backpacks, beanies, amusement park trips. But you have to participate in order to receive any of the incentives,” says Youth Educator Robert Thurmond. The program has garnered funding for the next four years to provide services and includes components and incentives to keep youth engaged.

“One of the major obstacles identified in earlier research conducted by the YWCA for this community is transportation allowing access to services,” says Sonya Gonzales-Adams, director of H.I.P-H.O.P. “We are excited to be able to offer services and the program to the community in the community,” says Adams. H.I.P.-H.O.P. is the result of a one year federal research and development grant sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.


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