REACH LA NEWS

Monday, March 22 at 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM

The Arena
6655 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles CA

Did you know that even though African Americans make up only 13% of the US population, they account for about half (49%) of the people who get HIV and AIDS. And it is our goal as the Ovahness Young Men’s Leadership team here at REACH LA, along with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, in 2010 to not only raise awareness, but to get as many young people tested and into care as possible.

Unite will be a exciting night of the “Fabulous” and the “Fashionable.”A “coming together” of sorts between those who are either affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. The event was conceived and will be produced by LA’s very own Sean Milan. The evening will start off with an opening VIP reception followed by a fashion show consisting of three segments. Hosted by the legendary Jazzmun, performances by Michell’e Allure, Gia Allure, and a special performance by “Vogue Evolution” from MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.”

Admission: VIP-$50 (Free for youth ages 18-24 who get an HIV test @ REACH LA prior to event or adult who brings a youth to REACH LA to get an HIV test prior to event)
General-$10

Please call the REACH LA HIV Testing Hotlinefor an appointment-213-572-7819

For more info please contact the event’s producers:

Sean Milan
Social Enterprise Event Coordinator forREACH LA
Office: 213-622-1650 x103
Email:seanmilansphone@yahoo.com

Greg Wilson
Manager of Young Men’s Health and Leadership
Office:213-622-1650 x108
Email:acquajaye@yahoo.com

Volunteers headed to N. Hollywood on Saturday, February 20, 2010 to facilitate HIV prevention games at the annual Oakwood School “Glove Affair” dance. The event draws youth from private schools through out Southern California who learn about HIV through REACH LA developed games like “Tongue Billiards” and “Condom Races.” Youth also learn about HIV transmission through needle sharing while REACH LA volunteers apply temporary tattoos. The activity that really gets youth thinking is REACH LA’s Fortune Telling booths where participants learn of their future through customized fortune telling cards. “The youth get really spooked when they learn about themselves and how they might be putting themselves at risk,” says REACH LA Ovahness Program Manager Greg Wilson, “the experience opens the door for the opportunity to talk about HIV prevention and risk taking which could save their lives.” REACH LA volunteers in attendance were Devaughn Sherman, Josh Wilson, Tim Ochoa, David Johnson, Michael Robeson, Malcolm Harper, Shawn Douglas, De’Shawn Jennings, Manuel White and REACH LA staff Carla Gordon, Greg Wilson, Sean Harris and Danielle Wondra.

REACH LA bids a fond farewell to Kafi Battersby after ten years of dedicated service and support. Kafi began her journey at RLA as an assistant in the computer lab in 2001. She quickly moved into a peer health educator position where she eventually became the program manager for the HIV prevention programs. During her tenure she provided risk reduction counseling to thousands of young women at sexual risk, hundreds of young gay men, volunteers and staff members. Kafi was instrumental in developing the Peer Health Advocates and G2G Leaders, “she was the role model that all of the leadership and current health programs were based upon,” according to Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “Kafi’s dedication to REACH LA programs, staff and to her clients will be her legacy.” On behalf of REACH LA’s Board of Directors, Management Staff, Leaders, Peer Health Advocates, clients, and volunteers we wish Kafi all the best in her future endeavors.

Team REACH LA made the 6.5 mile walk to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS on Sunday, Oct. 18. Volunteer Danielle Wondra ran the outreach table at the event. Many thanks go out to those who helped sponsor the team which raised $ 600.00 for REACH LA programs.

Fifty REACH LA volunteers educated 1,300 youth from Los Angeles area high schools, community-based organizations and programs at the annual Macy’s Passport Fashion Inform reception on Friday, September 25. The reception provides a great opportunity to teach youth about HIV in a fun and direct way. Interactive games and activities run by trained volunteers provide “teachable moments” about needle sharing (rub on tattoo booth); sexual risk reduction (more…)

Did you know that sharing needles with others when tattooing or piercing can put you at risk for HIV? That is what 50 REACH LA volunteers learned this week when training for Macy’s Passport Fashion Inform, a fashion show fundraiser that raises millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention organizations. For it’s efforts in the HIV field, REACH LA has been chosen to be a beneficiary of this year’s event. The 50 trained volunteers will run REACH LA’s HIV prevention education games at a pre-show reception for 1,300 Los Angeles youth. No tickets are sold for this special event where LA youth are treated to a million dollar runway show complete with top musical acts and celebrities. Volunteers consist of REACH LA’s Ovahness and G2G Leadership teams, RLA Peer Health Advocates, alumni, Pitzer College and Oakwood High School Students. Thanks to all the volunteers for their loyal dedication and support of REACH LA.

“Freak Show,” hosted by “Party Monster” icon James St. James has released it’s latest on-line episode “James goes to the Ovahness Ball.” Shot at REACH LA’s Ovahness Ball 4: L’Acte Finale, James meets and greets Los Angeles and New York’ s house/ball icons, legends, statements and stars. Viewers get an up close view of the art of voguing by New York legends Luis Xtravaganza and Derrik Xtravaganza. Ovahness Leader Devaughn Sherman is featured explaining the ball’s HIV prevention education intent while commentator Jack Mizrahi encourages the audience to get a free HIV test at the event. The show captures the excitement of fierce runway battles and the audience’s love of all things ballroom. Check out the “Freak Show” episode “James goes to the Ovahness Ball”…

Ovahness Ball 4: L’ Acte Finale brought out the best talent and showman/womanship from all points of the United States. The audience of 400 watched the grand prize battle between the House of Mizrahi and the House of Xtravaganza bring the message of HIV prevention to a new level. Lead by Icon and Ballroom Hall of Famer Mother Carmen Xtravaganza, the House of Xtravaganza took the $1000 Grand Prize back to New York City.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 25, 2009

Categories are posted on myspace.com/ovahness

Women & Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was celebrated with a teach in , resource fair and free HIV testing on Friday, March 13, 2009 at the El Camino College Compton Community Educational Center. Around 150 women and girls took part in a variety of workshops, including topics such as the global and local issues on HIV, sex and sexuality from a cultural perspective, race and gender identity, prostitution, partner abuse, female anatomy, birth control, emergency contraception and self- esteem. Voluteer presenters from Black Women for Wellness, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, YWCA GLA Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Women’s Leadership Project, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health and Charles Drew University generously donated their time and expertise to educate others at the event. In resource square, AIDS Research Alliance, Black Women for Wellness, National Council on Alchol and Drug Dependence. Planned Parenthood LA, South Bay Family Healthcare, Tarzana Treatment Center-Long Beach, Women Alive, Women at Risk and YWCA of Greater Los Angeles provided resource information to the event attendees. (more…)