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About CHOICES ...
There is a critical need to reach young women early and provide them the skills and
information needed to protect themselves from infection. Prevention programs should
include a focus on building the self-esteem and skills necessary to delay sexual
activity and to practice disease prevention.
Although CHOICES is specifically designed to address the health concerns of Latinas,
the program welcomes and encourages men to become Peer Educators. When asked how he
felt about being a part of a female-focused health initiative, CHOICES Peer Educator
and UCC student, Rodney Torres said "I feel really good about being a part of the
Latina program [be]cause, as a Latin man, I could reach out to my Latin men and women
to educate them ..."
Reaching Latinas with effective prevention messages requires a medium that sends the
message home. One of the first breakthroughs that a person must make is that gender
roles, activities, rules and rituals surrounding the sexual act are socially constructed
and can be changed.
This is where the CHOICES project comes in. It is not magic, but the CHOICES model has
proven highly successful at reaching Latina youth where they go to school – and in all
corners of their communities. Its health messages are hard-hitting and culturally
appropriate. It has effectively provided Latinas in communities across the country the
foundation for behavior change to prevent AIDS from becoming part of their lives.
The CHOICES model helps to develop problem-solving skills and skills to reverse unhealthy
behavior, while at the same time engaging the audience by supporting and celebrating Hispanic
heritage. Staging the CHOICES production stirs emotions and vicariously challenges each member
of the audience, individually, to stop the spread of AIDS.
You have CHOICES ... make the right ones!
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