Philadelphia FIGHT’s youth program, the Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP), will be participating in AIDS Walk Philly 2013 in a new and exciting way. The I AM…The Generation Run Club will be running on behalf of Y-HEP as a way to demonstrate and illustrate the strength, endurance and solidarity of a community that is impacted by HIV. I AM…The Generation Run Club consists of young gay/bisexual men who are running together as a community. Their current goals are to prepare for AIDS Walk Philly and other community marathons. Y-HEP, a program of Philadelphia FIGHT, is a vibrant, multi-faceted, community-based health and leadership development program for Philadelphia youth. Annually, Y-HEP serves over 3,000 high-risk, hard to reach teens and young adults through a range of activities. Y-HEP’s mission is to help young people grow into healthy adults by supporting them in empowering themselves to make healthy choices.

 “The run club is a vehicle for these young men to show unity, community and visibility,” says Noel Ramirez, Y-HEP’s program coordinator for I AM… “Through our Youth Health Empowerment Project, we hope this community can help to heal itself.”

I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Philly Fight last week and I can personally attest to the warmth, laughter, smiles and extension of love that emanates from that physical space. Their service is unmatched, and the community members they serve are grateful and so willing to share their stories. 

Ramirez said, “I oversee the operations and activities of the I AM… program, a CDC funded project that aims to reduce HIV health disparities among young gay/bisexual men of color in Philadelphia.  Through the I AM… program, I work with five amazing team members who conduct HIV testing in communities, provide health education and support to program participants and do street outreach. I serve the community in a variety of ways.  But with all my different hats, I ground my work in love, honor and respect.”

I wondered about how youth come to know about the various programs that are offered there and Ramirez responded, “Youth participants find out about the run club through the SWEAT Project, a program for HIV+ young gay/bisexual men, and the Y-HEP Evening Drop In, a program for LGBTQ youth.  The SWEAT Project works with different HIV care clinics and Y-HEP serves the community as a whole.  We turn no one away, we just ask that you be dedicated to our mission of ending HIV stigma and supporting other men during the run.” I can say that the people running are super supportive of each other and literally run in a tight group in order to remain physically supportive for each other.

Next we discussed Philadelphia and I asked, “What do you feel is needed most in our community to help bring awareness and action for the prevention of AIDS and HIV among our youth?”

Ramirez said, “I think a level of compassion and understanding is needed on all fronts in order for us as a community to move forward and empower our communities. There is a generational gap between our younger community and the older community, both of whom have been significantly impacted by this epidemic. What is common in both generations is a high level of trauma, pain, shame and guilt.  I think we need to heal from that using compassion and respect. Nobody has time for blame.”

Finally I wondered, “What legacy do you hope to achieve and how can we get others involved?” Ramirez responded, “I hope to achieve a significant decrease in incidence rates among young gay/bisexual men, an incredibly high rate, linkage to HIV care rate and an increase of peer-led and supported program for our LGBTQ youth here in Philadelphia.  I hope that my staffers find their voices in their compassionate work and that we are also able to nurture a new generation of young gay/bisexual men to take our places in this great FIGHT.”

I also spoke at length with Tiffany Thompson, Y-HEP’s Program Director, who said this, “Y-HEP is always looking for new ways to engage youth to take responsibility for their health, not just around HIV, but also full body health. At first, we weren’t sure who would show up to run and if it would be a success. Fast forward to now and every week when I see the team warming up for their run and the supportive community they have built, I know that Y-HEP and the I AM…The Generation project has done something special. We are empowering them to take care of themselves holistically. We are building the next generation.”

Y-HEP’s programs are numerous. Their care for the entire person literally supports and encompasses body, mind and spirit. Anyone wishing to find out more information or wanting to donate time, clothing, food or services should visit www.y-hep.org.