Peer Sexual Health Education in the Columbia Basin

To assist young people in the Basin in gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make healthy sexual choices. Youth Sexual Health Educators will work with adult mentors and community resoucres to develop, implement, and evaluate a peer based youth sexual health education program. Look for the dates of the Peer Sexual Health Education Fall Conference over the summer.

For more information call: Christine Schmidt, Peer Sexual Health Education Coordinator @ 1-800-421-2437 or psheducation@hotmail.com

This project is developed in partnership with the West Kootenay Branch of Options for Sexual Health and ANKORS (AIDS Network, Outreach & Support Society) with gracious funding from Columbia Basin Trust.

Prevention and Education

The Prevention & Education program provides education, information, resources and counseling services on HIV/AIDS prevention to the communities in the East and West Kootenay region. Prevention and Education sessions are delivered to organizations, schools, employee groups, individuals and social service agencies.

ANKORS is proud to be able to provide your organization with interesting, current informative and inspiring presentations or workshops on HIV/AIDS. The following are just a few of the topics your group may wish to explore through an on-site ANKORS presentation:

WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE IN THE EAST KOOTENAYS

AIDS 101

Where we discuss the HIV/AIDS trends, transmission equation, HIV continuum, and prevention.

AIDS 201: Sex in the Sticks

An interactive exercise that explores how the HIV transmission occurs on a cellular level. The risky activities that get HIV into the body will be emphasized, as will be harm reduction measures for prevention.

Peer Pressure

Included in the Peer Pressure Workshop will be group discussions around positive and negative peer pressure , as well strategies to increase personal power, self esteem and informed decision making. The connection between low self esteem, peer pressure, risky activities & HIV transmission will be explored.

Marginalization/Discrimination & HIV

This workshop defines marginalization and discusses how it relates to health and well being. There will be group work on ways to recognize discrimination and develop strategies to reduce it. Also included are thought provoking exercises and games that will provide insight into marginalization/discrimination and their connection to HIV/AIDS.

Talking About Tough Issues: A Workshop for Parents

This workshop provides tips for parents on how to communicate with your children about sex, sexuality, HIV, and drug use. It will bring parents up to speed about the current realities around sexuality and safer sex.

Girl Power

An alarming 30.9% females newly diagnosed with HIV were between the ages of 20-29.(Health Canada 2003) This workshop looks at the link between low female self esteem /risky activity and their connection to HIV. We will look at female body image and it’s media portrayal. Strategies for girls valuing themselves will be explored.

Sexual Exploitation of Youth

This workshop focuses on what sexual exploitation looks like in our rural communities and provides a forum for discussion about how to create awareness about and solutions to this problem.

WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE IN THE WEST KOOTENAYS

HIV/AIDS 101 for youth

Objectives are to know what HIV is and how it can be transmitted, including risk and no risk behaviours. Secondly how to protect oneself from HIV infection.
Duration:1½-2 hours
Comes with youth safe packages

The workshop is both engaging, informative and interactive. Without judgment. With a mix of games and lecture we look at such issues as why people would engage in risky behaviour. What are the risks (HIV, STI’s, HEP C), living with HIV, peer pressure and power dynamics in sexual relationships.

"High Risk" for Youth

This workshop is a fun interactive jeopardy style game show on topics such as HIV,HCV, drugs and partying, peer pressure and safe sex. Includes brainstorms and discussion.
Duration: 1 hour

HIV/AIDS for Service Providers

HIV 101, HCV 101, Determinants of Health, Caring for People with HIV/HCV
Duration: 1½ hours
Comes with extensive resource material

HIV/AIDS for Health Care Workers

HIV 101, HCV 101 Determinants of Health, Accidental Exposure, Caring for People with HIV/HCV
Duration: 1½ hours
Comes with extensive resource material

ANKORS Talk

ANKORS' Role in the Community, HIV Definition, Determinants of Health in Rural Areas, and Living with HIV
Duration: 40 minutes

HIV/HCV and Harm Reduction

ANKORS services, HIV/HCV 101, Accidental Exposure, What is Harm Reduction, Needle Exchange, Dealing with Overdose, 101 on Illicit Drugs
Duration: 2 hours
Comes with extensive reading material