Colorado: Free HIV Testing Campaign Targets Young Crowd

Colorado Springs is joining the multi-state, multi-agency You Know Different campaign to promote HIV testing among minority youths by hosting several events in the coming weeks. The CDC-supported initiative is a project of the Washington, D.C.-based National Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Urban Peak, a non-profit that serves homeless youth, is among the Colorado Springs organizations taking part. "The under-25 population is the fastest-growing population of HIV," said Victoria Stone, an outreach worker at UP. "That's where the title comes from: You don't think you can get it, but you know different."

While the national effort focuses on gay, lesbian, African-American and Latino youth, Stone said local events will target everyone age 25 and younger. "So many people are having sex at a young age," she noted.

HIV testing, condoms and educational materials will be available at local participating agencies. Some will offer free walk-in testing every day through April 15; others will conduct testing only on certain days or at certain times; and several provide free testing year-round.

For more information about local You Know Different events, telephone UP, 719-630-3223; Inside Out Youth Services, 719-328-1056; Colorado Springs Pride Center, 719-471-4429; Southern Colorado AIDS Project, 719-578-9092; or Planned Parenthood, 719-573-8880 or 719-475-7162. For more information about the national effort, visit www.youknowdifferent.org/index.html.

Back to other news for March 2011