C2P - Phase III: MPowerment and Community Promise

Role model stories comprise the "heart" of printed materials distributed throughout the target community. The role model stories are brief publications that depict personal accounts from individuals in the population of focus who have made or are planning to make a risk-reducing behavioral change. Depending on the population they are meant to reach and what behavior they are trying to influence, the stories may include examples of people who now carry condoms with them, talked to a partner about condom use, use condoms consistently, avoid sharing needles, or exhibited other risk reduction behaviors.

Core Element 1 Core group of young gay men and additional volunteers recruited from the community. The core group and volunteers comprise the "peer advocates" who design and carry out all program activities. Core Element 2 Designated space where most social events and meetings are held; also serves as a drop in center where young men can meet and socialize during specified hours. Core Element 3 Social events to attract young gay men and to promote safer sex. Core Element 4 Teams of young gay men go to locations frequented by young gay men to discuss and promote safer sex, deliver appealing informational literature on HIV risk reduction and distribute condoms. Core Element 5 Meetings of eight to 10 young gay men to discuss factors contributing to unsafe sex among men. Men practice safer sex negotiation and correct condom use skills. Core Element 6 Publicity campaigns that attract men to the program by word of mouth and through articles and advertisements in gay newspapers.