About AFC: First Person

AFC interns Elizabeth Graber, Anne Lillich, and Paola Acosta

Young AIDS Activists Converge in Chicago

In July 2006, young HIV/AIDS activists from around the country convened in Chicago for the Campaign to End AIDS Youth AIDS Institute. This organizing and leadership summit provided participants opportunities to learn effective strategies for mobilizing their communities around HIV/AIDS issues. Read about the experiences of three AFC interns who attended, in their own words.

Paola Acosta

From 101 grassroots organizing to petitioning for signatures at Millennium Park, the Youth Action Institute (YAI) 2006 was a one-of-a kind experience.  The hectic five days at YAI 2006 gave me the tools for building a solid HIV/AIDS advocacy campaign from scratch.  In addition, YAI refocused the work I do as a policy intern at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.  Overall, YAI empowered me to fight against the AIDS epidemic not only in the US, but also in my country, Honduras.

Elizabeth Graber

Going into the C2EA Youth Action Institute, I was excited to learn more about HIV/AIDS advocacy and role of youth in the fight to end the epidemic. The eclectic group of 25 participants and coordinators, who shared perspectives from around the country, immediately inspired me with their immense passion for change. Together, we learned about the most pressing advocacy issues surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and care, as well as the techniques to carry out successful campaigns and projects locally and beyond. At AFC, these skills have helped to focus my research on HIV testing policies, and have allowed me to understand the impact my work will have on the community. I understand that as a youth, the power for change is in my hands; and now, I know how to use it.

Anne Lillich

Energized youth arrived from New York to California with a common purpose to end HIV/AIDS at the Youth Action Institute (YAI). The best part of the YAI was hearing the stories of other youth trying to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in their communities and in their state. One project that stood out was a high school student in the state of Mississippi who was working to change her abstinence-only sex education class to be a comprehensive sex education class. At the end of the week, each young person was filled with new ideas and tactics.

Campaign to End AIDS

AFC Internship Program