After 3 months implementing two modules of our curriculum (Storytelling Dynamics and Social Photography), our organization is wrapping up its RIPPLE Program workshop sessions for the Spring cycle at two Brooklyn-based schools: Clara Barton High School Health Professions (Crown Heights) and Mott Hall Bridge Academy (Brownsville). During this time, our teens students had interactive conversations around different HIV prevention-related topics, including PrEP education, health literacy, self-esteem, coping strategies, young women empowerment, civic engagement and effective communication. Our young program participants even had the opportunity to become involved in an open discussion about the cultural connotations of using condoms (safety vs. pleasure). During the workshop sessions, our organization was assisted by Site Monitor Benelsa Santos from our partner organization Medgar Evers College Liberty Partnership Program.

If we apply social innovation with the right methodology, public schools as well as public health entities and youth-oriented organizations can still engage our community’s underage population proactively regarding HIV prevention and health promotion strategies. Step by step, our team brought small changes to these young people’s lives regardless the many challenges they face within their families and low-income local communities.