ASHA

COORDINATOR: Ari Tolman (atolman@wesleyan.edu)

GROUP CONTACT EMAIL: asha.wesleyan@gmail.com

MISSION: Our main focus is training Wesleyan students to teach cooperative and interactive sexual health workshops in Connecticut high schools. In additon, we assist with awareness and fundraising events on campus, including World AIDS Week, organize campus wide free STI testing, and fundraise for the Oasis Center, a local support center for HIV positive individuals in Middletown.

LOCATION OF PROGRAM: Based on Wesleyan's campus, but we teach in schools around the state.

HISTORY:  Started by students more than 7 years ago, and certain aspects of the group have evolved throughout the years.

ACTIVITIES:

Teaching

ASHA teaches in local high school throughout the school year. Our workshop's objectives are to arm students with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions regarding their own sexual health, including:

Boundary Setting, Communication, and Consent

Protection against STIs

Contraception

To request an ASHA workshop, visit our web request form.

Campus/Community awareness

This group tries to enhance awareness to sexual health issues and HIV/AIDS to the Wesleyan and Middletown community throughout the school year. Two main events that ASHA participates in annually with regards to campus and community awareness each year is World AIDS Week and organizing free STI testing for the community.

Fundraising

Each year we create multiple kinds of fundraisers ranging from bake sales to dance parties in attempt to raise money for the Oasis Center and other local agencies working to support people in the community living with HIV/AIDS.

SKILLS NEEDED: Creativity, Enthusiasm for Teaching and Fundraising.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED: The group will meet twice/month, but outside of these weekly meetings members are expected to volunteer regularly for teaching dates (at least once/semester), and other group awareness or fundraising activities.

DESCRIPTION OF TRAINING/ORIENTATION PROVIDED:  Half-day new teacher training will occur at least once each semester.