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This bibliography highlights resources and examples on how service-learning can inform youth and others about HIV/AIDS.
Source: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, November 2008.
Coar, J. (1995). Students take the lead in AIDS education. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
This article gives an account of a high school student who became involved in a peer education initiative to teach students at Gig Harbor High School about HIV/AIDS and its prevention.
Hess, J., & Mersha, S. (n.d.). When you're gonna do it, do it right: A resource guide for college-based AIDS peer education programs. Providence, RI: Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown University.
This manual gives a program summary for the Project for HIV and AIDS Statewide Education. It discusses the background for the project, theoretical models of HIV prevention, building community partnerships, and recruitment and selection of peer educators. It then provides examples of peer educator training sessions, a framework for outreach curriculum, ongoing support and management, and program evaluations.
Jones, S. R., & Abes, E. S. (2003, July/August). Developing student understanding of HIV/AIDS through community service-learning: A case study analysis. Journal of College Student Development, 44(4), 470-488.
This constructivist case study investigated student understanding about HIV/AIDS in the context of a service-learning partnership between a university class and local AIDS service organization. Analysis of data garnered from four organization staff, three teaching staff, and eight undergraduates suggests that interaction with clients and staff caused students to examine how stereotypes shaped their attitudes about people with HIV/AIDS and to rethink their behavioral choices.
Kraft, R. J. (2004). Y-R.I.S.E.: Service-learning and HIV/AIDS prevention. St. Paul, MN: National Youth Leadership Council.
Recent research about the efficacy of service-learning in HIV/AIDS prevention. This extremely in-depth paper, a product of NYLC's Y-RISE initiative, presents basic data on the pandemic, the theoretical groundwork for connecting prevention efforts with service-learning, and examples of successful youth programs from around the world. A thorough and detailed resource section includes international program reviews, websites, contacts, and reference material.
O'Donnell, L., et al. (1999). The effectiveness of the reach for health community youth service learning program in reducing early and unprotected sex among urban middle school students. Newton, MA: Education Development Center.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community youth service (CYS) program in reducing sex risk behaviors among African American and Latino urban young adolescents.
Service learning: A community strategy for HIV prevention: A teleconference of the community college satellite network, program guide. (1996, April 30). Washington, DC: American Association of Community Colleges.
In an effort to help community colleges develop and implement programs that promote community health, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) held a teleconference in April, 1996, focusing on service learning and HIV/AIDS prevention. This two-part document provides the teleconference program and a transcript of remarks made during the event.
Stewart, C. M. (2005). A model human sexuality-HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention service-learning program. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, (3), 64-83.
This article deals with a service-learning program focused on human sexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention at the Howard University Department of Health, Human Performance and Leisure Studies.
SLICE Ideas and Examples
While studying basic concepts of disease transmission, immunology, and cell structure in their science class, students will examine the history of the AIDS pandemic and look at the extent of AIDS cases in Los Angeles and their own communities. They will research the services available in the city for people with AIDS. Having gained an understanding of the causes and effects of AIDS, they will participate in the annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
Project Examples
Sullivan, K., & Berestecky, J. M. (1998). Bridging the gap between classroom and community: Service-learning for HIV prevention, compassion and care. Presented at the International Conference on AIDS.
Kapi'olani Community College (KCC), with CDC funding, is connecting classroom, campus, community, and cyberspace for HIV prevention by pioneering service-learning as a teaching methodology. Over 40 liberal arts and health science courses integrate HIV/AIDS related service-learning into the curricula. Also, new service-learning classes are being offered, including "Issues in HIV/AIDS," "Literary and Artistic Perspectives of HIV/AIDS," and AIDS awareness campaigns reaching hundreds of students. Additionally, students and faculty are establishing "safe zones" on campus to provide opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students to express their concerns and develop relevant programs.
Murphy, D. L. (2002, July). The HTC health connection: An integrated living and learning HIV prevention, education, and training model using an academic-CBO-governmental partnering approach. Presented at the International Conference on AIDS.
LaSalle High School, Pasadena, CA.
One example of La Salle’s service-learning program takes place during the freshman year. The Freshman HIV/AIDS Cross-Curriculum Service-Learning Project involves the disciplines of biology, English, health, Latin, religious studies, social studies, and the visual and performing arts. Along with the class work and discussion that takes place in each of these classes concerning HIV/AIDS, students are required to participate in a service opportunity through Pasadena Posada, Project Angel Food, the Pasadena AIDS Service Center, or AIDS Project Los Angeles. After their service, students are required to write a reflection about their experience and then produce a creative application that illustrates what they did and how their service-learning experience connects to the larger issue of AIDS and health services to the community.
These service-learning projects partnered with Camp Heartland, a national nonprofit organization committed to greatly improving the lives of children, youth, and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS worldwide:
- St. Norbert's College in DePere, WI
- University of Wisconsin - Madison Humorology Executive Board
- Beverly Hills Unified School District
- Fallon Worldwide
