YIP: What inspired you to get involved? Had you heard about BP before?

Michele: I have always been interested in health and sexual education (my father is a doctor and my mother a social worker). I really happened upon Bay Positives by luck. I was working at the Academy of Friends Oscar Gala in 2003 and I happened to meet current staff member Curtis Moore, who at the time was the outreach and volunteer coordinator for Bay Positives. I started to volunteer, working in the office, promoting and working at events, etc. As I approached my senior year of high school we began to talk about the internship. What really inspired me to take the job were the people, both staff and members to whom I had grown close. Also, through volunteering, my interest in both health and Bay Positives had grown.

YIP: Can you describe the support groups, workshops, counseling, newsletter, or other projects you might have been involved in?

Michele: As an intern I spent most of my time in the office, which meant doing odd jobs as well as meeting members and chatting with them. I felt like it was part of my job to make sure that Bay Positives was a safe space for everyone. I was also responsible for inputing data into the online database about the demographics and behavior of our target youth population. As I gained more experience I began conducting outreach myself including surveys, handing out supplies, talking to youth, etc. Specifically, I helped design a new student survey in order to find out how much the typical high school student knows about HIV/AIDS as well as more general sex issues. I also compiled a list of useful online resources for the members.

YIP:And who leads or supervises these programs?

Michele: Curtis Moore and Catherine Toyooka were my primary supervisors but they were also colleagues and friends. These two people are very important in my life even after I have moved away from San Francisco for college because of their guidance throughout the year and a half at Bay Positives. They are also responsible for coordinating outreach programs and volunteers at the agency.

YIP: Who benefits from these programs?

Michele: Everything Bay Positives does benefits young people. Whether it is a support night for members, or sex education outreach in local high schools, or just the safe space itself, the Bay Positives energy is definitely felt throughout the youth community in San Francisco. Unfortunately, there are far too few places like Bay Positives where youth can seek guidance from adults who will not judge them and will treat them as equals.

YIP:Can you give me an example of who has benefited from the programs?

Michele: For example, Curtis taught about safe sex at my high school and afterwards many students approached him to ask how they could help and learn more. A few of them began volunteering and now there are more than ten volunteers from my high school alone that help at the agency. The success here is that in working at Bay Positives these students are learning more and feeling empowered to teach their friends and peers what they know. It is very important to teach young people the facts, but it is equally important to empower them to teach others. This happens at many high schools around San Francisco.

YIP:What future activities would you like to see happen?

Michele: I think there are an infinite number of places where thoughtful and effective street outreach can occur. I wish there were more outreach activities in youth facilities, like juvenile prisons, rehab centers, half-way houses, foster homes, etc., as well as hang outs like malls and movie theaters. It is important to target high school students in school, but it would be great if Bay Positives could be everywhere where kids are. I don’t think this outreach is too far off either. As more people wise up to the need for honest and informative sex education, Bay Positives will be there.

YIP:Tell us how you feel about the community's role in promoting/weakening youth health?

Michele: I think the community has a huge influence on youth health. If a community is secretive about sex and cannot inform the youth then it is the youth who suffer. A supportive community can change lives for the better. A community that encourages open discussion about health issues is one where youth can ask questions and seek honest advice. Of course, if all communities were like this, then Bay Positives would not need to exist. Until then, Bay Positives is helping young people learn the truth about health and seek protection.

YIP:What was the best thing about your experience? What new things have you learned as a result of your experience or how have you changed as a result?

Michele: For me, the best things were the people I met. I think the staff at Bay Positives is incredible at what it does: helping the community. Whether it is at a high school (mine included) or a street fair or nightclub, the youth flock to the outreach workers. It is a team of amazing adults and youth who will talk about anything. Kids on the street will recognize them and say hi or ask for condoms. This personality paired with a constant flow of condoms and information is no doubt the best way to promote youth health. I just wish there were more agencies like Bay Positives so youth everywhere could have access to the services and great people. From these staff members I have gained role models. I have learned how to engage in conversation about health as well as promote it as a peer. I have also learned to have fun doing it. Here at college I am beginning to cultivate my own outreach programs and have even taken up some sex education teaching here in Connecticut. The best thing has really been the long-term lessons and, like I keep saying, the people!

YIP:What was the biggest surprise?

Michele: It was really surprising how much need there is for a place like Bay Positives. There are so many HIV positive youth in SF and so few support networks created just for them. Also, the amount of knowledge that a typical high school student has about HIV and safe sex is very low. There is such a need, even in a liberally minded city such as San Francisco, for educators who do not come with judgments!!!

YIP:What are you doing now?

Michele: Currently I am finishing my first year at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. I am pursuing a Science in Society major. I have continued my interest in public health through the Sexual Health Sub-committee of the Student Health Advisory Committee as well as a group called AIDS and Sexual Health Awareness that performs outreach on campus as well as teaches HIV workshops in local high schools. Here I have found a community of students who share a similar interest in youth health.

YIP:What advice would you give to someone thinking of volunteering?

Michele: If, after reading this, you think you want to volunteer for Bay Positives, then my advice is to do it! I have never seen an agency that has so many youth volunteers and manages to keep them coming back for more week after week. The atmosphere and staff make it interesting and fun. In general, I would say that it is very important to enjoy what you do as a volunteer and feel needed by the organization and by those you are helping. This does not mean wait around for something that sounds perfect, but rather think about creating something on your own within an organization. Many organizations need helpful people to do the dirty work (and I definitely did my fair share of filing) but they also need creativity. A good volunteer can do both. My other advice would be to work with youth. It’s never boring!!!

YIP: It is exciting to hear about your fulfilling involvement with BAY Positives. And thank you very much for your time, I know you are busy with your studies at Wesleyan University!