 When
I think of my experiences with CoC this past semester,
only positive thoughts enter my mind. I am so
happy that I got involved with Capitalize on Community
because it really is all about reaching out and
helping others. I feel that this organization
is great because it strives to make people more
aware about HIV/AIDS and it is also extremely
involved about preventing the spread of this deadly
disease. Not only has CoC took action in many
ways in the Albany region, but it also has gotten
many students involved, including myself to learn
more about this disease and to try to help others.
One past experience that really stands out to
me with CoC was the conference. It was very beneficial
and gave people a new insight on a topic that
is not talked about very often, married men on
the down low. Brenda Stone Browder, a woman living
and married to a man on the down low spoke to
us and discussed the hardships she went through
and how she overcame these certain obstacles in
her life. I felt that having someone who had lived
through this, discussing the topic, had more of
an impact on us as an audience because it directly
happened to her and it was more personal coming
from a woman involved with a man on the down low.
This conference was very important because many
women and in general, people out there do not
know much about men on the down low and the number
is increasing. HIV as well as other diseases could
be spread to the wives that are in complete denial
or do not have a clue to what is going behind
their backs; their husbands are sleeping with
other men behind closed doors. I also felt that
HIV testing was a good way to intertwine with
the conference because throughout the conference,
there were many questions raised about HIV and
about women who where and still are being affected
by men on the down low. In addition, I felt that
the HIV testing was important for the students
because many do not feel the need to be tested,
but because the testing was being done right there,
free on campus, it was very convenient and easy,
and many students decided to do it. To know whether
you are positive or negative with this disease
can be a life altering experience; it can easily
be spread if undetected. A few other events that
took place that were very memorable to me were
when myself, as well as others went to the Social
Justice Center. At the Social Justice Center,
you were able to be tested for HIV free of charge.
We also made goodie bags filled with pamphlets
on HIV, as well as putting condoms and lubricant
in them too. We handed these out to people and
there reactions were very positive, thanking us.
We also indicated that there was free testing
at the Social Justice Center and some people did
go to be tested. It was a very uplifting, positive
experience that I could help people. The fundraising
that my sorority did at Michaels and Bogies I
felt went really well. Our intentions were to
raise money for CoC and make college students
aware of HIV/AIDS and get them more involved in
knowing about this disease. I felt these were
two good fundraisers because since we are students
and are involved in the CoC, we networked and
told our friends about it and told them to tell
there friends, so we could have a big turnout.
We wanted a large crowd of people to come because
it was something that was and is important to
us and we wanted them to be a part of it and maybe
even see that any involvement or concern can make
a difference in the community. I am so happy that
I joined CoC this semester. Capitalize on Community
is a great program to help get the word out and
enhance the prevention of HIV. Networking and
fundraising were two ways of getting involved.
This had a huge impact on me, as well as the others
involved in this program, and it definitely got
friends and classmates who were not involved in
CoC to at least acknowledge and learn more about
the fight against HIV. The more people to get
involved in this program in the future, the better
the success of what we want to accomplish. HIV
is a growing issue and it needs to be addressed
immediately.
-
FALL 05 CoC Member
Capitalize
On Community changed my life. It has been one
of the most interesting, fun, and important classes
that I have ever taken throughout my college experience.
I’m graduating on Sunday December 11th and
I can honestly say I won’t forget anything
that I learned from this class. It is life changing,
life saving information that I can tell all my
friends and family. I felt like I was finally
making a difference in the community that I have
lived in all my life. I did the AIDS walk for
the first time, got tested for the first time,
brought my other friends to be tested for the
first time. Overall, I feel that I have grown
as a person from taking this class. I feel that
I am more aware of the issues that I didn’t
really know much about before this class. I grew
up in a very religious home and sex wasn’t
really talked about much. I wasn’t allowed
to go see rated R movies, I was taught abstinence
in my private school, and just didn’t know
how much this epidemic really is affecting people
in the area right where I live. Everyone that
is affiliated with this program has been nothing
but a pleasure to be around. They are kind and
open to answer any questions you may have. This
group has left its mark on me and I want to continue
to help out in any way that I can. I have met
some truly remarkable students in this class as
well that I will be friends with after graduation.
So all in all, Capitalize On Community has been
one of the best college classes I have ever taken
and I will gladly spread the word to others about
what an impact this class can have on your life.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take
this class and for making me feel like a more
informed student on the issues involving HIV/AIDS.
I felt like I accomplished so much in this semester
and it’s all due to this wonderful class.
-
FALL 05 CoC Member
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