Mar 6 2007

SMART

About: SMART (Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS/HIV Research and Treatment, Inc), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the first 501(c)(3) community-based treatment and prevention education, service and advocacy organization run by and for HIV positive women in New York City.  SMART’s mission is to provide treatment, prevention education, and support for women and adolescents living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, to help them live longer, healthier and more productive lives. By participating in SMART, they learn to advocate for themselves and others, take charge of their lives, and educate their communities.

SMART’s Programs: SMART University, an eight session curriculum-based treatment education program providing interactive lectures on a variety of physical, mental and spiritual (but not religious) health issues; SMART Body, a nutrition education program that is both a “hands on” cooking class and a series of lectures on the specific nutritional needs of women living with HIV/AIDS; SMART Voices, a literacy program offering an expressive writing class where women improve their writing skills, and a computer literacy class on the internet and Microsoft Office software programs; and SMART Sewing Circle, a social networking and skills building group that has been pivotal in building community.

In addition, SMART also offers a peer-led support group for women; HIV/AIDS prevention, education and outreach services; community advocacy opportunities; Juice, a free treatment education newsletter that also includes SMART program updates; and a peer leadership and volunteer program.  For adolescents, SMART offers SMART Youth, a youth leadership and development program for HIV positive youth and their HIV-affected peers (13-22 years old). 

Get involved!
Interested people can get involved in the work and access more information by:
*volunteering for special projects, special events or prevention work at SMART or another HIV related organization.
*by requesting to be a part of HIV-related advocacy and action (i.e. attending press conferences, writing letters or making calls, etc.)
*If the person is a woman in Metropolitan New York City, she can attend a SMART forum or go through an intake in order to attend SMART University
*donate (funds, in-kind gifts, time, etc.)
* Getting tested for HIV through an antibody test with informed consent and counseling; practicing safer sex; discussing HIV/AIDS in one’s community; taking care of one’s own health and getting regular medical attention; advocating for universal healthcare rights.

Contact SMART at smartuniversity.org.

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