On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 the Pedro Albizu Campos High School (PACHS) hosted a Health Fair. Parents, teachers and students participated in the event, which was organized by Nathalie Tirado, Coordinator of the TRANS Chicago Program. This initiative is part of an effort to prevent the transmission of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
The Health Fair was a collaboration between two of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s (PRCC) health initiative programs, (TRANS Chicago and Vida/SIDA), and other community partners. The programs worked collectively to enhance the participants’ experience. This included testing, counseling, and nutrition. PRCC staff divided themselves into groups to give orientation, prevention best practices, and testing to the students in different confidential spaces of the school. Teachers and employees worked together as a team.
Tirado said, “It was a powerful moment that likely will result in fewer infections through education of the high school students. As a prevention program, we encourage everyone to be tested. Know your status! I am grateful for the hard work of our staff and especially to PACHS Principal Melissa Lewis and Dean of Students Jessie Fuentes. Without their strong collaboration, this could not have happened.”
By Javier Valentín,
La Voz del Paseo Boricua.
