Dear John,

This was a difficult year, but I’m proud of the work Advocates for Youth did in partnership with young people. Our youth activists inspire me every day. Through your donations, we can continue to advise, support, empower, and exchange ideas with these brilliant and dedicated young people - including Payton, a member of our CommuniTea program who is working to destigmatize HIV and build HIV prevention skills among young Black women in Georgia.

Donate $50, $100, or $250 today to support youth organizers working on HIV

I also want to share some of Payton’s own words with you about her work.

“I joined CommuniTea because I wanted to focus on Black women’s health and fight the racist, misogynist oppression we experience. Because of CommuniTea’s specific focus on HIV and AIDS prevention for Black women and girls, it wasn’t me trying to carve out that activism space, but actually getting instruction and mentorship with what I can do for these communities, and collaborating with other Black women who have these experiences. Who could say, "Okay. This is what I know. This is what you know. This is what we now know, and what we can produce for each other and for our community." That was really powerful for me. The opportunity to collaborate with others working for Black women’s health and get mentorship and collaboration is unique and deeply important.

The only way we’re going to end the HIV and STI epidemic is through honesty and real conversations. Activism is the only way we see the needle move - without it, there is no progress.

In working with Advocates, I realized that they always have people on their team who are very genuine in spirit and able to give you that nurturing and that advice that you need. We have a lot of ideas about sex ed and activism, but it can become overwhelming if that's not something that you're used to organizing for. I've worked with a lot of different nonprofit organizations who are able to provide you resources, but not all the time are they able to provide those realistic how tos and step-by-steps as Advocates does.”

A donation of $50, $100, or $250 helps activists like Payton keep working in their communities, building their networks, and mobilizing for change.

I am inspired by Payton and the thousands of other youth activists with whom we work each year. With your help, we can keep strengthening the network of young people who will move this country forward. Donate today.

Sincerely,
Debra Hauser
President, Advocates for Youth