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The Face to Face Program brings a health educator into area schools, community centers, and faith communities to introduce young people to the basics of HIV and STDs and how they are transmitted. During the presentation, two people living with AIDS also tell their stories. Through these powerful first person testimonials young people come to understand how personal choices can have implications in their lives.
To book a Face to Face speaker or to learn more about the program, please contact Keanna Faircloth, the Face to Face Program Manager at 703-533-5505 x28 or by email at
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. You can also keep up with Face to Face on their MySpace page.
We recently compiled hundreds of thank you letters from students who participated in Face to Face programs over the years. Here are just a few of them: "Dear speakers, Thank you so much for visiting us and sharing your stories with us! It really opened my eyes to many things in life and I was really happy about how honest you all were with us and our questions. I appreciated your visit very much! Once again, thank you." "Thank you, speakers, I really learned alot about what you said. I really appreciate it. I talked to my parents about what you said and they were glad I learned something good that day so that means I will take care of myself. Thank you for the information you shared and for being honest." "Thank you, speakers, for coming and sharing your experiences with us. It gave me, for one, a first-hand perspective on living with AIDS. The stories you told also served as warnings to us and got people thinking. Thank you." "Dear speakers, Thank you so much for coming! You may think that I wasn't listening or thinking about you, but your words were worthwhile. I think that you can count on saving a couple of lives in this classroom. When you were talking about your teenage life, it was like looking into the mirror. I do almost everything you did. And the other speaker sounded just like my brother. I told him about you, and he actually listened, so thank both of you." "Dear speakers, Thank you for coming and sharing your stories with us. I learned alot about AIDS and how you prevent and detect it. Hearing about AIDS from people who actually have it made me realize how real it is. Thanks!" "Dear speaker, Thank you so much for coming to talk to us about your life. I really appreciate it. You have encouraged me to make good choices. I hope I can see you again sometime. Remember, when times get bad, just think of all the good things you've done for yourself and others and don't ever give up."
And a special letter from an instructor,
"The men [speakers] truly made an impact on our group. Our students were enthralled with their stories! Later the kids said it was easily the best Health & Relationships group we'd had all year, and they were wishing they had more opportunities to learn about the topics we cover through people's personal stories. A wonderful message was shared, one that our students really needed and benefited from. Thank you again for making it possible and thank you to the speakers for being willing to be so open about their personal lives and experiences... what a gift."
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NOVAM has been providing HIV prevention education for adolescents and young adults since 1990 and integrated HIV and substance abuse prevention programs since 1995. NOVAM's programs work to reach youth where they congregate -- in schools, community centers, and faith communities, as well as in public locations like shopping malls and coffee shops. In FY2007, over 27,000 young people received HIV and substance abuse prevention information through a NOVAM program. NOVAM currently offers five prevention education services: