CATCHING UP

The Holy Family Center at Nazareth Hospital provides education, drug and nutrition support, and fellowship for thousands of HIV/AIDS patients, including teenagers. HFC’s Youth Mentor Program provides young people with a forum to fight the stigma of HIV/AIDs and helps them learn best practices for drug adherence and how to make healthy lifestyle choices. While they usually have group meetings regularly, these have been suspended for the past year due to COVID. However, this week was very exciting, as HFC was able to hold an in-person support group meeting for patients ages 15-19.

The youth gathered outside, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, to discuss a variety of topics that are important them from medicines, to school to friendships. They also participated in lots of activities where they practiced life skills. Both the staff and the participants felt so lucky to be able to get together!