The Iris House Leading Ladies Program is designed to build capacity within Faith-Based Organizations in NY, NJ and Philadelphia, to deliver gender specific health and HIV education, reduce the stigma that exists within  communities of color related to HIV, encourage HIV testing and reduce new infections while emphasizing the importance of women’s health. The program is focused on helping you to expand your efforts related to women’s health and HIV awareness and should be seen as an additional service you can now offer your members and the community.

The program has a few components of which the church can chose to implement.

• Component 1 – Education Programs for Women, Girls and Families

• SISTA (Sisters Informing Sisters on topics about AIDS) five 2-hour sessions for women 18 and over, and 2 booster  sessions delivered in small groups of 10 – 15 women. The five sessions can be delivered weekly, over two days or over a weekend.

• SIHLE (Sisters Informing, Healing, Living and Empowering), designed for teenage females ages 13 – 18 consisting of four 3-hour sessions.

• Family Talk – Family Talk is designed to bring family members together to discuss tough topics and improve communication. Topics covered during this 3-session intervention include family values, how to talk about sex and protecting oneself, abstinence, sexuality and HIV.

• Component 2 – Empowering Leading Ladies:

Two women from the church as identified by the Pastor, First Lady or from participation in SISTA, will be trained to deliver a Health Education Workshop focused on women’s health and HIV. This two day training will include lectures and teach backs to build the capacity of the church to continue to deliver such education ongoing. The women will then receive technical assistance to deliver the 2-hour,

Women’s Health & Wellness Workshop at the church with a target of 25 or more participants.

• Component 3 - Community Health and Wellness Fair

Churches with capacity are asked to host a health fair to include blood pressure, glucose, HIV testing and other screenings as identified through community resources. This health fair should reach a minimum of 100 persons and be open to the community.

Iris House will provide snacks, transportation assistance (where necessary) and incentives for all participants. Participating churches will also receive $500 to support these activities upon graduation of a pre-determined amount of participants.

For more information or to register your faith based organization to participate please contact Ingrid Floyd at ifloyd@irishouse.org or 646-548-0100 *238.