T.E.E.N. AIDS

T.E.E.N. AIDS (Teens Effectively Educating Now about AIDS) is a unique troupe of teenagers who perform at schools; community based organizations, clubs or wherever teens congregate. They perform in order to educate their peers about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. <P> The troupe was started in 1994 when the American Red Cross Street Performance Program was given a grant. The group is comprised of 15 performers (10 paid, five volunteers) all coming from the greater Buffalo school district. The program is funded by a grant from the New York State AIDS Institute. They perform on the average three or four times a month by request. Sometimes they have more performances per month and because schools request most of their performances there are very few performances during the summer. <P> The presentations relate to teens and their families, especially teenagers who are involved in relationships, those that may have an alternative life style or do not live in a traditional family, i.e. homeless or living with another person other than their parents. The goal of T.E.E.N. AIDS is to educate their peers through theatrical performances. They address HIV/AIDS its dangers and its co-factors. Which include low self-esteem, peer pressure and substance abuse. They also try to increase awareness about prevention and teach skills for prevention. <P> The club was started due to an increase in HIV in rural Chautauqua County making people realize that HIV/AIDS is not just a problem in urban areas. T.E.E.N. AIDS believes that because there is no cure for AIDS education is the best defense, and they provide education in a non-threatening, fun way. <P>