Bay Area Young Positives: a model of a youth-based approach to HIV/AIDS services

Bay Area Positives, Inc. (BAY Positives), founded by and for youth living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a peer-run, peer-based organization including the board of directors, the executive director, staff, and volunteers, and was funded in part by the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program. It responds to the unique needs of HIV-positive adolescents and young people 26 years old and younger (n = 108) and targets gay and bisexual youth, youth of color, and young women. The organization has found that when young people are brought together to help one another and to mentor their peers, living with HIV becomes more manageable. It serves as an entry point into the HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service system, using member advocates (peer case managers) to guide members to youth-sensitive services and to help them through the delivery system. BAY Positives' goals are to provide emotional and other support to youth with HIV and to empower infected young people to get information about and access to the services they need. Its success also depends on the ability to provide as much support and development for staff as provided to members.