Activities, Community Building, Personal Growth,

Relationships, Spirit & More for the Spanish Speaking HIV+ Community!

 

Every Thursday at 6pm

Beginning June 9, 2011

 

People With AIDS Coalition of Utah

358 S. 300 E.

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

*inside of Our Store - Your Thrift Alternative

 

What is “AMBIENTE + POSITIVO”?

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO is a support group operated by the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah and people living with HIV/AIDS that engenders a sense of independence and self-determination in its members and builds a healthier and more powerful community of HIV+ people.  AMBIENTE + POSITIVO accomplishes its mission through a comprehensive array of emotional support, treatment education, prevention, wellness and social services.

 

All Latino people living with HIV are welcome regardless the age, gender, sexual preference or personal beliefs.

 

The over arching goal of AMBIENTE + POSITIVO is to provide an experience where HIV positive people can explore positive ways of looking at life, explore the concepts of a positive attitude toward living with HIV, learn skills and information that will help cope in living with HIV, as well as socializing and having a lot of fun at the same time.

 

Mission and Vision Statement:

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO’s mission is to serve as a beacon of emotional support, treatment education, and empowerment to all Latino people living with HIV/AIDS in the State of Utah.

 

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO is committed to providing a safe haven for HIV positive Latinos that want to find a place to assimilate, understand and meet others in a safe, respectful, discreet and private place;

Empowering community members to become agents of change.

Becoming a model that can be replicated throughout the area and country.

Having sufficient resources to assist the community it serves.

 

We respect the beliefs of each person that joins our group and believe that the spiritual energy of each individual is one of the basic supports that anyone can find.  Consequently, we promote different spiritual activities as part of the healthy living of every group member.

 

Who attends?

We are a group made up of Latino people living with HIV and AIDS.  We create a space where HIV+ Latino’s, regardless of sexual orientation, age, religion or background, can find a different way to connect – more openly... more honestly... with less fear... and a lot more fun.

 

We advocate for the HIV/AIDS Latino community from the point of view of those who are infected.

 

EDUCATION

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO believes that in order for a person to take charge of their medical care, they must have access to current medical information and access to services.  We accomplish these goals with a myriad of education programs, our resource-rich website and our Speakers Bureau.

 

Medical Updates

Medical Updates offer presentation of cutting edge treatment information from community doctors on a range of HIV related issues such as: 1) Management of Medication Side Effects, 2) HIV/AIDS and Methamphetamine, 3) HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis “C” Co-infection, and much more.  AMBIENTE + POSITIVO hosts frequent medical updates presented by well respected medical and mental health professionals.

 

PREVENTION

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO advocates for HIV prevention by supporting those already living with this disease in our Latino community.  An HIV-positive individual is part of every new infection.  Consequently, education is needed to build the communication and negotiation skills to support that person in preventing new transmissions.  AMBIENTE + POSITIVO seeks to create a non-judgmental environment that is confidential and safe, where HIV positive people can discuss sexuality, protecting partners and the prevention of infection.  With the creation of discussion and focus groups, community forums, workshops and risk reduction counseling, we are committed to providing leadership in HIV prevention.

 

Speakers Bureau

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO’s speakers bureau seeks to educate working professionals, youth and families about the experience of living with HIV/AIDS, the benefits of getting tested for HIV infection and knowing your HIV status, and the importance of prevention.  AMBIENTE + POSITIVO speaker's bureau is a group of men and woman who tell their personal stories to anyone who invites them to do so, including schools, colleges, corporations and institutions.

 

SUPPORT GROUPS

AMBIENTE + POSITIVO support groups are facilitated by a trained group of HIV positive Latino leaders. Our goal is to provide a safe and confidential space where individuals can express themselves in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.  The support groups offer a wide choice of topics, thought processes and activities.  The choice of activities and topics allows each individual to create their own personal experience living happy and healthy with HIV.  The objective of these groups is to facilitate deeper connections with themselves and other people that are living with HIV inside the Latino community, while promoting a safe, healthy and comfortable environment to learn and express themselves with a positive attitude.  All the AMBIENTE + POSITIVO events are drug and alcohol free.  We will explore different techniques including heart circles and spiritual life just to mention a few.  Also, we must emphasis that some classes and meetings can be sensual but not sexual in nature.

 

Social events

Getting people living with HIV/AIDS out of isolation is part of our mission.  AMBIENTE + POSITIVO hosts and participates in fun and entertaining social events with the Latino community and with the other support groups of our organization.

 

 

 

Created March 19, 2011