2. Our Mission To address HIV and the structural factors that impact the lives of young women of color ages 13-24 in NYC.

3. Who We Are A grassroots organization in New York City, that encourages the participation of young women of color in a program driven by and for young women of color to address elevated rates of HIV. YWCHAC is both a youth led and youth driven membership coalition.

4. Our Structure Steering Committee Serves a Board Co-Directors Administrative/Program matic Functions WE SPEAK Members Youth driven WE SPEAK Alumni Youth led; youth driven

5. Overview Weekly Meetings were conducted starting October 2006 on Fridays. Young Women discussed various ideas on how awareness could be generated around HIV for young women and young men in their age cohort (primarily high school aged up to 24 years old) Annual Health Summit for and by young women of color in recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Quarterly Meetings Workshop for service providers are held throughout the year where they receive training and information on issues impacting the lives of young women of color. Safer Sex Education Parties are held quarterly and provide a safe space for young people to discuss and learn about safer sex techniques and negotiation skills, as well as the opportunity to get a free confidential HIV test. Public Services (PSA) and Advocacy Campaigns are developed and distributed to educate young people on the statistics of HIV as they affect young women of color in NYC and to encourage testing and the importance of knowing one's status.

6. Some of Our Successes In 2009, WE SPEAK was invited to attend a meeting at the New York City Council to address the empowerment of young women and to promote comprehensive age- appropriate sex education in NYC public schools. WE SPEAK Summer Institute has trained over 75 young women of color on HIV/AIDS, advocacy and other co- factors affecting them and their communities. WE SPEAK @ A WE SPEAK @ BU chapter on the campus of SUNY- Binghamton University has established in spring 2010. Quarterly Meetings: each year, the Coalition holds 3 topical meetings for service providers to address structural factors and issues impacting HIV Infection.

7. Challenges Diversified Funding Parental Involvement Space Limited access to youth friendly healthcare

8. Conclusions YWCHAC has created programming to decrease HIV transmission among young women of color in NYC. Provide a safe space for young women to develop programs for and by Young Women of Color Builds bridges with non-HIV service providers to address the impact of HIV on Young Women of Color

9. Join Us Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 2-6pm A Tea Party @ the Beautiful Victorian Mansion, 247 Hancock St., Brooklyn, 11216, $30 Donation RSVP by Sept. 20, 2010 ywchac@yahoo.com Friday, October 22, 2010 10am - 2pm Quarterly Meeting: State of HIV/AIDS & Young Women of Color, PPFA October Safer Sex Education Party

10. Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition 116-51 224th Street Cambria Heights, NY 11411 ywchac@yahoo.comywchac@yahoo.com *www.STATUSISPOWER.Com www.STATUSISPOWER.Com Join our cause on Facebook~~Follow us on Twitter:YWCHAC@