SISTA Project

SISTA is a peer-led program to prevent HIV infection among African- American young women. Over 50% of women with AIDS are African-American women. Although participants may have heard about the disease, they may not be doing enough to protect themselves from getting AIDS. The SISTA (Sisters Informing Sister about Topics on AIDS) PROJECT is a program that will give them the knowledge, skills and pride to actively protect themselves from becoming infected with the AIDS virus.

The SISTA PROJECT was developed by African-American women and is tailored towards the needs of African-American women who are currently in a heterosexual relationship. The project consists of five once-a-week two-hour sessions. These sessions build on one another and have been developed to encourage group participation in an open and stimulating environment. The sessions (in the order they will be taught) include:

• Ethnic/Gender Pride
• HIV/AIDS Education
• Assertiveness Skills Training
• Behavioral Self- Management Training
• Coping Skills

THE SISTA'S PLEDGE

S
I need to think about my SELF first. I need to think about what is important to me.

I
I need to use the INFORMATION that I have about sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS to think about what is safe for me to do.

S
I need to think about the SITUATION that I am in and see what trouble it places me in.

T
I need to state the TROUBLE to my partner, as well as the options and consequences.

A
I need to tell my partner in an ASSERTIVE manner what I would like to do.

S
I need to SUGGEST an alternative that my partner and I will be comfortable with. Saying no can be difficult. When you say no, you are not rejecting your partner, only the activity.

If you are interested in SISTA, please contact the Education Department at ACS at (716) 847-0315

For more information, click here.

All information is based on the SISTA PROJECT Curriculum.