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YTH Initiative Announces Project LIYT Mentorship Program

August 7, 2019 (Oakland, CA) – The YTH Initiative announces its inaugural mentorship program for youth living with or affected by HIV—Project LIYT (Leadership + Innovation + Youth +Technology). The goal of this project is to stimulate and support youth-driven and youth-centered innovation in HIV services. Selected youth living with or affected by HIV will receive a mini-grant of up to $5000. These grantees will be partnered with tech professionals and supported as they co-create solutions designed to increase access to and utilization of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Far too often, the voices of youth and people of color have been left out of technology and research spaces—exactly the kinds of places where solutions to the HIV epidemic are developed. Paradoxically, in the U.S. youth and young adults (ages 13-34) experience the highest rates of new HIV infections. Among newly diagnosed young gay and bisexual men (ages 13-24), 82% are youth of color. Out of all the age groups of people living with HIV, youth are the least likely to be linked to care in a timely manner.

LIYT is designed to change that. The project will not only give youth a seat at the table, it will allow them to design the table and determine who will be invited. This innovative approach to mentorship will partner young people with health and tech professionals, harness their wisdom, and encourage them to develop their own Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) for HIV-service providing organizations.

This project affirms youth as valued and respected assets in their communities. We can create more effective and relevant programs when we involve youth as partners rather than solely as subjects or clients.

With over 17 years of experience designing technology solutions to advance the health of youth and young adults, YTH operates with the underlying philosophy of holistic youth development. As is true for all programs under YTH leadership, LIYT will involve youth as partners rather than clients.

Youth ages 13-24 can visit yth.org/liyt to submit their applications, as well as to learn more about the program and their eligibility. Applications will be accepted between July 24th, 2019– August 15th, 2019.

 ABOUT THE YTH INITIATIVE:

The YTH Initiative (formerly YTH) is an initiative of ETR, a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 with offices across California and employees around the United States. Using innovative methods and new media, the YTH Initiative advances the health and wellness of young people through technology. YTH empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health.

 

 

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