By Candace Y.A. Montague
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 7,258 HIV cases in the United States among adolescents ages 13-19, with 5,457 young people living with AIDS. Since the beginning of the epidemic, an estimated 40,059 young people in the United States had received a diagnosis of AIDS, and an estimated 10,129 young people with AIDS had died. Georgia was one of the top 10 areas (number five) reporting the highest number of AIDS cases in 2007. There are over 500 organizations in Georgia that are geared toward helping people living with HIV. Twelve of them serve youth living with HIV. Only one of these organizations caters to the needs of African-American teens with education, community support and tolerance. Show Me the Way Foundation is a non-profit organization in Atlanta that focuses on helping children and young people who are infected or have been affected by HIV/AIDS or other terminal diseases.
It began in 2004 with Tashawnya Menefee, who was shocked by the number of children affected by HIV/AIDS. As a Department of Health and Human Services employee, she learned about the high number of children who were either orphaned due to AIDS or currently living with the disease. She expressed a strong desire to encourage these young people find a renewed spirit. Show Me the Way Foundation (SMTWF) was created shortly thereafter.
The Basics: Mentoring and Education
The organization has created a program for teen girls called SHE Girls (Showing the way How through Education). There are currently 25 participants enrolled in the SHE Girls program. The mission of SHE Girls is to analyze and interpret the psychological and emotional affects of AIDS.
“The need for an organization such as SMTWF is extremely important to educate as well as embrace these youth,” says Menefee.
The girls who participate in the program meet for eight sessions approximately 50 minutes in length. The discussion topic varies from sex to alcohol, respect, pregnancy, love, and compassion just to name a few. The SHE Girls meet with guest speakers and health educators without the presence of boys in order to “feel comfortable about asking questions and learning—no distractions.” The educators not only discuss abstinence but also other means of protection.
“We most definitely encourage them to protect themselves and be aware of STD’s and the alarming rates of infection among teens today,” states Menefee.
At the end of the time period, the youth, parents, and Board of Directors evaluate the program to measure its effectiveness.
Education is important when one is fighting against unflattering trends that are becoming common among young people. Menefee says, “Teens are really jumping on the bandwagons of today’s hip-hop videos and music. The young girls think it’s cool to dance like a stripper and of course the clothes are inappropriate.”
Mentoring can counteract that mentality as well and offer a different perspective on self-image.
From Grassroots to Hollywood
Menefee has supported SMTWF with her personal funds for the past four years. Fundraising continues to be a challenge that she and the Board of Directors face. Grant writing is an extremely difficult task.
“I’ve paid out monies to have grants written but was taken for a ride,” explains Menefee.
Yet, SMTWF presses on taking donations wherever they can get them. Adult volunteers also help carry out the mission by fundraising and chaperoning field trips.
HIV positive teens and teens whose parents are HIV positive suffer from low self esteem and constant teasing. Menefee explains that infected teens are robbed, teased, and made to feel isolated. Their confidence is low and they are uninspired. SMTWF sponsors an annual fashion gala known as Runway RED. The teens, who participate in the program, strut their stuff as runway models for the annual fundraiser. They are joined by children of celebrities.
“Imagine how they feel knowing they are walking the runway with producer Jermaine Dupri’s daughter, rapper Big Boi’s (Outkast) sons, singer Chilli’s (TLC) son or with rapper Bow Wow. How awesome is that?” states Menefee.
It’s one of the many feathers in the cap of SMWF.
The Next Step for SMTWF
SMTWF works on educating the about more than just living with HIV. The “I Can Be” tour is the next project for the foundation. It is a tour of Atlanta high schools that will feature guest speakers such as Clyde Anderson from CNN. He will discuss finances in today’s economy. Mo Stegall, executive producer of Inventive Minds Media and host of a teen internet talk show, will talk about self motivation. Joe Johnson, author, will speak on breaking the average spirit. SMTWF will have motivational speakers from their organization involved in the tour as well. After all, embracing the youth and turning self-esteem from low to high is the way Tashwanya Menefee shows all of us the way to life after diagnosis.
What YOU Can Do About It
Visit SMWF's Web site and sign up to volunteer or to make a donation. Get involved!
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/youth.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?ind=503&cat=11&rgn=12
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