If you are an African American man and you:

 

• are 18 yrs old or older;

 

• have a desire to learn more about protecting yourself and those you care about from HIV and sexually  transmitted diseases; and

 

• believe you can make a difference in your community... then Nia is for you!

  

Nia is the principle for the fifth day of Kwanzaa, a day to celebrate “making it our collective vocation to build  and develop our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”

 

 

“There is nothing more dangerous than to build a society with a large segment of people in that society who feel that they have no stake in it; who feel that they have nothing to lose. People who have a stake in their society protect that society, but, when they don't have it, they unconsciously want to destroy it.”

 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr.

 

 

What is Nia?

Nia is a small group, video based intervention for African American men and is based on  the idea that men with a purpose can take control of their personal risk-taking behaviors and help solve the problem of HIV infection in their community. Nia sessions are interactive meetings that are equally educational and entertaining. The sessions are led by both a male and a female facilitator. During the sessions, participants can expect to participate in open and frank discussions on issues involving:

 

• Racial and sexual identity;

 

• Receiving and giving respect;

 

• High-risk sexual behavior;

 

• Making safer sex decisions; and

 

• Maintaining sexual pleasure while

reducing risk

 

Nia is conducted in two sessions for three hours each. Light snacks are provided during session breaks.   Please contact the agency to find out specific meeting dates and times. 

  

 

 

Nia seeks to:

 

• Provide information about HIV/AIDS and how it is affecting the African American community;

 

• Bring together groups of men to enhance their motivation to reduce risks; and

 

• Help men explore new ways that they can protect themselves, their partners,

 

For more information on Nia,and to participate in the Nia groups, please contact

Serge M. Jean at sjean@irishouse.org or 646-548-0100 x236.