Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention

http://www.black-cap.com/information.html

Black CAP was created in response to the gap in services for HIV infected and affected youth that exists within the community. The Mate Masie initiative provided HIV/AIDS and STI prevention education to youth in the priority neighbourhoods. It combined the principles of Kwanzaa, yoga and sexual health into a series of interactive workshops that create a safe space for participants to explore sexual health education and other 'taboo' issues.

For two years, Black CAP ran sessions in both the summer and fall, each consisting of a 7-week workshop series followed by a weekend retreat. A total of 200 young people were engaged in the initiative, with 50 participants per session. 16 youth site coordinators took on leadership roles in all areas of the program - outreach, site coordination, hiring, training. They participated in monthly capacity building / anti-oppression workshops, which helped deepen their knowledge of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and prepared them to effectively coordinate the sites.

The supportive environment has led youth to show greater interest in improving emotional, physical and sexual health, as well as sharing what they learned in the workshops with their peers. Parents of participants have indicated they would like to participate in a similar program for adults, and have encouraged their children to attend the sessions.

A number of organizations are now partnering with Black CAP, running the Mate Masie initiative in their communities, i.e. East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club, Elmbank Community Centre and Breaking the Cycle.