Tennessee: Street Works Launches Project UNO to Combat HIV, AIDS in Nashville

Nashville's Street Works has begun a new program with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration called Project UNO, which stands for "U. New. Outstanding." According to UNO Project Coordinator David Long, Project UNO will serve young gay men dealing with substance abuse addiction, and will focus particularly on HIV prevention as well as care of people with HIV/AIDS. The project also educates HIV-negative men on wellness and prevention to ensure a strong life. Program participants will take part in sober social networking and journaling to strengthen their lives. Project UNO will monitor all clients for six months, encouraging them to concentrate on five fundamental factors to successfully move forward with their lives: sobriety, strength, status, self-purpose, and safety.

Long identifies and recruits clients through a variety of locations, such as colleges, the Internet, and social club settings, and develops and oversees treatment plans for all clients. Project UNO also strives to educate the greater community by asking the community, especially the churches, to emphasize that gay men should not be demeaned due to their sexuality.

Street Works provides Nashville with prevention, education, and care to those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. For more information about Street Works and Project UNO, visit www.street-works.org, or call their 24-hour help line at (615) 259-7676.

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