NOVEMBER 25, 1994

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Ujima Project enlists AfricanAmerican leaders in AIDS fight

by Bill Kirchner

Carolyn Cockfield has a difficult job. "As African-American education coordinator for the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland, my task is to make sure that every African-American in Cuyahoga County understands what HIV is, how to prevent HIV infection and what community resources are available to people living with HIV," she explains.

Shortly after joining the Taskforce last May, Cockfield realized the impossibility of accomplishing that task solely through traditional methods such as workshops and "AIDS 101" presentations. Statistics show that the city of Cleveland has the high-

"Trying to get these people involved has been like pulling teeth," Cockfield explains. "We get lip service but no action."

Ujima Project is currently raising the funds necessary to get pamphlets printed up to be distributed with the help and support of many Cleveland churches. "If each church would take an area of six square blocks, we could get one of these pamphlets to every member of the African-American community in Cleveland," Cockfield said. "That is our goal."

AIDS

TASKFORCE

So far, it has been slow going and help would certainly be appreciated. As for the lack of interest on the part of the councilmembers, Cockfield says she has just three questions for them. "Do they have a plan to address HIV infection in their community? If so, what is the plan? And finally, do they have money set aside for that plan in each of their wards?"

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

est incidence of known cases of AIDS/HIV infection in the state of Ohio: statistics further show that the majority of new cases involve African-Americans. The problem is so widespread, the target audience so great, that there is simply no way that the Taskforce, acting alone, can hope to reach and educate the entire community.

Within a month, Cockfield had found a solution to the dilemma; she saw that the only way to reach the community is to use the already existing infrastructure-to educate and mobilize the community leaders and have them deliver the message to the people. With that thought, the Ujima Project was born. Ujima is a KiSwahili word meaning "collective work and responsibility" and that concept is central to Cockfield's work.

Initially targeting Cleveland wards 1-11 and 13 as having the most pressing need, Cockfield and the other members of the Ujima Project have held three educational workshops so far. The participation by the members of Cleveland City Council, precinct committee persons and ward leaders has been less than impressive.

One way or another, Cockfield and all the members of the project are determined to get the job done. "I'll get this information out to the community if I have to hang it on every door in Cleveland myself," Cockfield says. "If it takes ten years, it will be done.

Men and women are needed to speak about HIV infection. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland provides volunteer speakers for church and civic groups in our community that want more information about HIV and AIDS. You can be trained to be a Speaker's Bureau volunteer with the Taskforce. Our next meeting and workshop will help develop public speaking skills and lessen any fears about speaking to a group of people. This first Winter Workshop will be held on Thursday, December 8 at 6:00 pm at the Taskforce office, 2250 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. If you have any questions, direct them to Jan Cline at 216-621-0766.

CATF survey coming to bars December 1 to 8

The Columbus AIDS Task Force is again preparing to survey the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. The last survey was conducted in 1990 and included a number of questions about safer sex and how the community was responding to the AIDS epidemic. This new survey is intended to update our knowledge of what is really happening in bedrooms all over Columbus and to determine better methods for sharing new and changing HIV/AIDS information. The gay, lesbian, and bisexual community has been at the forefront of responding to AIDS; we have taken care of each other, we have demonstrated what love looks like, and we have strengthened our relationships. CATF con-

tinues to support our community as we grow and change.

CATF volunteers will be administering the 1994 survey between December 1 and December 8 at many Columbus area bars, bowling leagues, and other gathering places. To help us better understand where our com munity is today, watch for these volunteers, and please take the time to complete a survey! Let us know what you are doing and how you feel about HIV/AIDS. Completing the survey takes about 5-10 minutes. The survey results will be published in several gay-lesbian-bisexual publications at the beginning of next year. This is an easy way to support understanding of our community!

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