Posted on September 03, 2014
Source: Justin Serrano, 2014 Baltimore HIV Scholar
The various students involved in this year’s Baltimore HIV/AIDS Scholars program are working on an extensive array of projects in both clinical- and community-based settings throughout Baltimore City. As a current intern at Generation Tomorrow, my summer experience has been primarily focused on outreach and testing at a relatively new venue-based initiative called Project Re_. However, before I briefly discuss my most recent experiences at this organization, I feel as if a short introduction is warranted.
I am a Public Health Studies major and rising senior at Hopkins interested in pursuing a Masters of Health Administration after graduation. Throughout this last week, I have spent several late nights providing free, rapid HIV testing and counseling to individuals via Project Re_’s mobile units. These large vans allow the organization to set up sterile HIV testing sites adjacent to night clubs and bars frequented by those considered to be at high risk for contracting the disease. Through this particular approach, the project is able to provide people with a needed service at a place and time most convenient to them.
The highlight of my week was on Thursday, when some members of the Project Re_ team and myself headed to club Hippo’s Hip Hop night to perform some outreach and provide testing to those interested. Throughout the night we were able to test nine individuals collectively and I personally encountered between twenty and thirty people, providing them with free condoms and some general information about HIV prevention. I met a diverse group of people ranging from an ex-marine celebrating his recent divorce to some college seniors barhopping across the Mount Vernon area. This three-hour shift at the club (10:00 pm -1:00 am) was filled with many casual, entertaining conversations in addition to some more intense pre and post-test counseling. Nonetheless, my time there appeared to fly by and I left the venue feeling not only useful, but also appreciated amongst the community that I serve.
