Ward is program manager of the adolescent prevention education programs at Children’s National Medical Center in D.C. She oversees Teens Against the Spread of AIDS (TASA), which is having its first event, Catwalk for a Cure, for the local HIV prevention youth campaign Rock the Block at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the center’s main atrium. World AIDS Day is Wednesday. Talk about Catwalk for a Cure.
We like to use innovative approaches to HIV prevention, so instead of having another HIV one-on-one, another HIV Powerpoint, another HIV workshop, we decided to have a fashion show because that’s something that is interesting and relevant to D.C. area youth… We’re going to take a global look at how HIV and AIDS affects a variety of communities.
What’s the mission of TASA?
Basically, it’s to provide an innovative approach to HIV prevention for youth throughout the District. So when I say innovative that’s because we train youth, ages 16 to 18, as peer educators, and they use performance techniques, such as hip hop, such as poetry, such as spoken word, to inspire and engage youth in the fight against HIV.
How do teens benefit from this program?
They definitely serve as health educators and as role models for their peers. But also they develop a lot of public speaking skills and leadership opportunities for them to serve and lead in their local community, especially on HIV, which is such a huge epidemic especially here in D.C. and for the entire country.
Is AIDS a growing problem for this age group?
Definitely, especially since D.C. has the largest rate of HIV infection in the country. They’re growing up in an area that has a high prevalence of HIV, so the likelihood that they’ll be exposed to it once they become sexually active is great.
— Anna Waugh
