2009-2010 AmeriCorps Team

In 2009-2010, the Washington AIDS Partnership's AmeriCorps team serves at 11 agencies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Check out the informative team video below, along with a team picture!

2009-2010 AmeriCorps Team Placements

Children's National Medical Center (CNMC): The Burgess Clinic at CNMC provides comprehensive health services to adolescents ages 13-21 who are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Team member Jennifer Sinkfield serves as the HIV Counselor and Health Educator, providing HIV testing and counseling, facilitating several HIV community outreach and prevention programs focused on youth, and conducting workshops on making healthy choices about sex.

Jennifer: “Serving at CNMC as the HIV Counselor and Health Educator has been a remarkable experience. Being able to interact with youth from various backgrounds and lifestyles in a diverse place provides a unique opportunity to see the universal issues of adolescence and how the HIV epidemic affects everyone. Being part of HIV prevention in the lives of youth is amazing because they are at such an impressionable point in life and it is a critical time for them to receive information about HIV and their risks. I love being a part of the Washington AIDS Partnership team and am proud to be the CNMC member.” 

Food & Friends: Food & Friends provides nutritious, home-delivered meals, groceries, and nutritional counseling to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. Team member Kimberly Shrader serves as the Client Enrichment Coordinator, conducting new client orientations and meal delivery, organizing special projects such as the Holiday Gift Program and Annual Thanksgiving Day Feast, and coordinating recreational activities for clients and their families.  

Kimberly: “A common saying at Food & Friends is: ‘We cannot ensure that someone won’t face a life-changing illness, but we can make sure no one has to face it on an empty stomach.’ Everyday at Food & Friends, I am privileged to spend many hours with people struggling with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and any number of very difficult diseases. Despite their trials, I was welcomed into their lives with thankful hearts and open arms. My time with the Washington AIDS Partnership has taught me that no matter where someone is in their life story, a single person can always reach out to them and make a difference. I hope I have made a difference to my clients, because they have made all the difference to me."

Georgetown University Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases: The Division of Infectious Diseases is a faculty-based medical outpatient clinic at Georgetown University Hospital. Attending physicians and fellows provide HIV specialty care to over 850 HIV positive patients. As part of her second year in this program, Sara Neill serves as the Prevention Educator, providing HIV/STD prevention education, case management, and HIV counseling and testing. Sara is also responsible for monitoring the HIV rapid testing program, and coordinating with the internal medicine clinic to implement opt-out HIV testing which includes assisting with staff training, creation of program materials, and data collection and monitoring.

Sara: “I love being an AmeriCorps member so much that I decided to do it twice! My second year serving with the D.C. has been wonderfully educating. As a member of the infectious disease team at Georgetown University Hospital, I have developed an in-depth understanding of the health care system and how much effort it takes to coordinate care for a patient. I have discovered the deep complexities that come with treating patients for HIV. Even though HIV infection has evolved into a chronic illness instead of a death sentence, the realities of treatment are demanding and the existence of stigma is irrefutable. Perhaps the best part of my service year has been working in an environment where I can participate in many aspects of health care, such as counseling patients, navigating Medicaid applications, enrolling patients in drug assistance programs, updating grants for HIV services, HIV education, and creating a new HIV testing program for the hospital's internal medicine clinic. If you want to know how to provide care for someone with HIV, this is an amazing opportunity to learn!”

During her first year in this program, Sara served as the Prevention Programs Specialist at Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS). HIPS is a community-based organization whose mission is to assist individuals engaging in sex work in leading healthy lives by reducing risks associated with sex for gain, especially the risk of HIV/AIDS. Sara conducted outreach and education activities including running the mobile outreach van one weekend night a week, volunteer coordination, client trainings, and coordinating activities such as recruitment and facilitating client group sessions for Safety Counts, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intervention.

Sara: “My time with HIPS has been amazing. It has shown me that despite all the perceived differences people face, we are more alike than different. It has taught me how to be at peace with feeling uncomfortable, and to turn discomfort into growth. It has also instilled a deeper appreciation of the human character. Despite overwhelming obstacles and interlocking oppressions, there are many inspiring individuals who remain determined to see life as a beautiful adventure.”

Joseph’s House: Joseph’s House provides a home, nursing services, and community for formerly homeless men and women who are terminally ill and in the last weeks or months of their illness. While their primary mission is to those with AIDS, as space is available, Joseph’s House also welcomes men and women with other terminal illnesses. Team member Istiaq Mian serves as a Resident Care Aide, providing social support and advocacy, assisting residents with daily living activities and personal care needs, and providing companionship to the residents.

Istiaq: "My time with AmeriCorps and Joseph's House has been the most meaningful of all life experiences. I have met, befriended, laughed, and cried with strong individuals who are suffering from the worst infectious disease of our era. In providing care to formerly homeless individuals with end-stage AIDS, powerful life lessons are learned and powerful compassion is developed."

Latin American Youth Center (LAYC): LAYC’s mission is to support youth and their families to live, work, and study with dignity, hope, and joy through meeting key goals for youth of: (1) academic success, (2) postsecondary education or work, and (3) healthy behaviors. Team member Amanda Little serves as a Youth Developer, responsible for coordinating and supporting youth-led community outreach and peer education which includes implementing multi-session HIV outreach trainings for local youth, HIV testing and counseling, and implementation of outreach events for various LAYC programs.

Amanda: “From the moment I walked into LAYC, I knew that it would be a great year. Bold oranges and warm reds swam with ocean blues along the walls of the four story building housing LAYC, the colors transforming into jungle scenes on one floor, urban landscape on another. The energy of the surroundings flowed into the enthusiasm of the wonderful staff I had the privilege of joining. Here people are passionate about working with youth, whether they are writing grants for funding, teaching GED classes, working in social services, or leading community outreach. Founded over 30 years ago to serve D.C. Latino youth, LAYC has now grown to serve all low-income youth and families across D.C. and in Suburban Maryland. This year, I serve as a sexual health educator and HIV tester and counselor. I am treated as a full member the team, but also given autonomy to be creative and steer my own path. For example, I create my own curriculum for every sexual health class I teach. It has been challenging working with youth, but they have transformed how I understand social services in the U.S. and have helped me connect with my silly side. This paragraph cannot begin to encompass how great it has been serving at LAYC. In short, if I could, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Metro TeenAIDS (MTA): MTA is a community health organization dedicated to supporting young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Through education, support, and advocacy, MTA prevents the spread of HIV, promotes responsible decision making, and improves the quality of life for young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Team member Brandon Nichols serves as the Education and Outreach Specialist, facilitating a peer-educator program for young men who have sex with men and young transgender women of color, providing HIV testing and counseling, coordinating the D.C. Concerned Providers Coalition, conducting HIV educational presentations, facilitating a program at the youth drop-in center once a week, and conducting outreach.

Brandon: “When I began my service year, I expected challenges. That’s why I joined AmeriCorps. Traveling outside of one’s comfort zone often leads to extraordinary growth and this year has exemplified that. Before AmeriCorps and MTA, there were many individuals and groups that I had never worked with before. But I jumped in head first. Serving at MTA has opened my eyes to many of the public health problems facing D.C. youth. While teaching HIV 101 education in local schools, I have learned about the HIV-related stigmas youth have and worked to change them. As a member of the D.C. Concerned Providers Coalition, I tackle HIV on the policy level. And, as a peer educator, I lead youth in addressing the HIV epidemic head on by educating their peers. Through my placement, I have grown so much as a person which would not be possible at any other job. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program and know that I will learn much more during the remainder of my year.”

Miriam’s House: Miriam’s House is a residence for homeless women living with AIDS, including some who have children. The mission of the organization is to provide a dynamic residential community that empowers recovery from homelessness, disease, and addictions in an environment of compassion, integrity, and accountability. Team member Eva Pesch serves as the Health Department Assistant, helping the residents with daily living activities, providing transportation to healthcare appointments, and providing compassion and companionship to the residents.

Eva: “I very much admire the women who live at Miriam's House for their resiliency and courage. They have come through tremendously difficult situations and are now recovering and learning to live more healthy and independent lives. I feel very fortunate to get to surround myself with such strong and open-hearted people.  

A large part of the reason I applied to this program was to have an experience out of my comfort zone. It is one thing to discuss topics like health disparities and societal inequalities within the college classroom. It is entirely different to actually see them occurring and get to know people who are affected by them. It is incredible to feel myself becoming more and more comfortable in my role and being able to build meaningful relationships with people whose lives are very different from mine.”

Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM): NOVAM is a nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS prevention and direct client services to the entire Northern Virginia area, with a special focus on the needs of young people at risk for HIV infection. The mission of NOVAM is to educate the community about HIV/AIDS; to combat the fear, prejudice, and complacency that surround the disease; and to provide direct services to meet the needs of those who are living with HIV/AIDS. Team member Flannery Peterson serves as the HIV/STI Prevention Health Educator, responsible for implementing the Rap It Up Program in two Northern Virginia jurisdictions, an intensive skill-building workshop series focusing on HIV/AIDS, STDs, drugs, and alcohol to high-risk youth. Flannery also conducts HIV testing and counseling, outreach, and other HIV education activities.

Flannery: “My placement at NOVAM has been a very rewarding experience. One of my main responsibilities is the Rap It Up program which targets at-risk youth in Northern Virginia between the ages of 13-18. Most of the youth are in the juvenile justice system or in various stages of transition. Working with these youth has been the best part of my AmeriCorps year. I love engaging them and gaining their confidence and interest.

NOVAM is an incredibly supportive environment that has allowed me to have ownership of this program. When I am in the office, I work on the program's curriculum, schedule presentations at local sites, and develop NOVAM's social network. Being an HIV/AIDS educator has really opened my eyes to the need for prevention and NOVAM is at the forefront in ensuring that there are HIV/AIDS programs available for youth in the community.”

Our Place, DC: Our Place, DC supports women who are or have been in the criminal justice system by providing the resources they need to maintain connections with the community, resettle after incarceration, and reconcile with their families. Team member Sarah Hashmall serves as the HIV Case Manager and Educator, training incarcerated women as HIV/AIDS peer educators, facilitating HIV education classes at local sites, providing case management services, conducting HIV 101 education sessions, and providing HIV testing and counseling.

Sarah: “I was not sure what to expect when I started at Our Place, DC. I was a bit nervous about working with incarcerated women mainly because I was ignorant of the legal system and the women who find themselves in it. However, through teaching HIV awareness classes, doing HIV 101s, visiting prisons, and interacting with clients around the office or in the local halfway house, I have found that it's not about the women's history with the system, but about me connecting with them on a personal level as women. On top of that, I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend at Our Place - my supervisor is wonderfully supportive and the staff truly makes me feel welcome. I have developed a level of comfort teaching HIV and health education, both in classes and in one-on-one sessions, and have been given the freedom to expand the services we provide and to make them more relevant to our clients. This entire experience has helped me to realize that teaching health education is something that I love and that I want to pursue in the future!”

Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL): SMYAL’s mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for GLBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood. SMYAL has five focus areas: life skills and leadership development, counseling and support, health and wellness education, safe social activities, and community outreach and education. Team member Mervin Brandy serves as the Prevention Program Specialist, providing HIV and STD counseling and testing, conducting outreach, and assisting with and planning youth-driven events.

Mervin: “My first day at SMYAL was something like no other. I participated in a youth group, where youth discussed their experiences with bullying, harassment, and ultimately dropping out of school because of their sexuality and/or gender identity. At SMYAL, I have been given the tools to build expertise in advocacy and activism to address the many needs and concerns of GLBTIQ young people. Coming from a background where I also identify under GLBTIQ, I was amazed to find out there were many things that were new to me. I was able to learn more about the various gender expressions and identities that were not as common to me growing up. The experience at SMYAL also allowed me to build genuine, incredible friendships with staff members but, more importantly, with the youth that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Many of my responsibilities have focused on HIV prevention programming and educating youth about the importance of safer sex practices and healthy relationships. Working in youth development has given me a greater appreciation for the need for a youth presence and voice in the development of many areas (education, social activities, activism, marketing, etc.). I have learned so much about a community that I thought I already knew so much about. My placement made me challenge myself and make many new friends in a new place, and in the end, made me SMILE.”

Whitman-Walker Clinic: Whitman-Walker Clinic is a nonprofit health organization providing comprehensive, accessible health care and community services in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. This year, Whitman-Walker Clinic hosts two AmeriCorps members. Team member Wade Hauser serves as a Community Clinic Educator, providing HIV testing and risk reduction counseling, HIV health education, and STD screening. He also runs an HIV treatment peer support program for clients living with HIV/AIDS. Josh Long serves as the Community Health Educator, providing HIV testing and counseling, client referrals for positive test results, volunteer coordination, and evening and late night health education and outreach once a week.

Wade: “Although I may not have guessed it, my placement at Whitman-Walker Clinic as an AmeriCorps member was just what I needed after finishing college. I have met people who have entirely contradicted my preconceived assumptions, had conversations that will stay with me for a lifetime, and learned that I can grow, adapt, and succeed in life after college. Conducting HIV testing and counseling, helping run a free STD clinic, and organizing a support program for individuals who have recently been diagnosed with HIV has introduced me to inspiring people and given me the tangible experience of working with others that I craved after college.”

Josh: “My time at the Whitman-Walker Clinic has been unforgettable. I spend each day in a clinical setting working through complex medical, emotional, and social issues surrounded by truly dedicated medical professionals and educators. I will never forget the people I have met both in the clinic, out in the van, or on the street. Each client becomes a teacher and I am able to arrive every day knowing that the service I provide truly makes a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS. My early experiences have developed my skills as a counselor, educator, manager, and leader. I am continually amazed by the strength, courage, and determination of my peers and will always hold this experience close to my heart.”