HLYASS Press Release

Statewide Youth Conference Planned to Empower Youth as Health Advocates

Georgia Community Urged to Register

Atlanta, GA. According to the CDC, Georgia ranks third among the states with the highest rate of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and ranks fifth in the nation for the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses annually. An estimated one fourth of those diagnosed with HIV in Georgia are attributed to youth (ages 16-25) and only half of those youth know they are positive.

To address these and other reproductive health disparities among youth, SisterLove, Inc.’s (SLI) Policy and Advocacy Program is hosting HLYASS (Healthy Love Youth Advocates Statewide Summit), a Georgia-hosted conference targeting youth ages 16-25, and open to people of all ages. The Summit will be held August 31-September 2, 2018, Labor Day weekend at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah, GA. Topics of discussion include prevention of and living with HIV, sexual and reproductive justice, comprehensive sex education, contraceptive equity, and legislative advocacy. Registration is currently underway.

Each HLYASS participant between the ages of 16-25 will earn a certificate of completion establishing them as Healthy Love Youth Advocates. HLYASS positions them to be the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to analyze and inform local and state policy impacting sexual and reproductive health outcomes for communities across the state. Moreover, they will have an opportunity to engage in advocacy opportunities in collaboration with SLI, and led by a policy agenda outlined while at the Summit.

• The registration fee of $25.00 for those between the ages of 16-25 includes Summit materials, a t-shirt, lodging for 2 nights, and daily meals.

• General public registration fee is $75.00 and includes Summit materials, dinner Friday; breakfast and lunch Saturday.

• Government representatives’ registration fee is $125.00 and includes Summit meals and materials.

• Go to www. HLYASS2018.org to register or for additional information.

SisterLove, Inc. is the oldest women-centered HIV and sexual & reproductive health organization in the Southeastern United States. It was founded in 1989 to address HIV-related education, prevention, and research, and to support reproductive justice for all women and girls. SisterLove, Inc.’s mission is to eradicate the impact of HIV and other sexual and reproductive oppressions on all women and their communities in the US and globally. SisterLove, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with a satellite office in Johannesburg, South Africa.