Love & Liberation in Action
OHIV is proud to announce the 2024 Ohio Youth Leadership Summit: Love and Liberation in Action. This year’s summit is an in-person, weekend retreat at the Mohican Lodge & Conference Center, August 2-4.
Previously known as the Positive Youth Leadership Summit, this yearly program has served young people living with HIV in Ohio for 16 years. The Ohio Youth Leadership Summit (OYLS) is a fun and educational experience for young people living with and at risk of HIV ages 18-29. OYLS encourages independence, personal and political empowerment, and leadership development.
Young adults living with and at risk of HIV face unique challenges and opportunities.
Efforts targeting young adults living with HIV are typically related to education and screening. This can unintentionally leave out those who are already living with HIV. Furthermore, medical care for HIV does not always address family, social, community, and personal issues.
HIV also affects everyone. While medications like PrEP and PEP are highly effective at preventing HIV, Black and brown folks continue to make up the majority of new HIV infections. OYLS expanded its scope to help young people push back against the social and structural barriers, like racism, poverty, and stigma that put them at greater risk of HIV with education and empowerment.
One of the summit’s main goals is to prepare young people from across Ohio to advocate for themselves and their communities by teaching them various topics such as harm reduction, resume building, consent and healthy relationships, and more.
To apply for the 2024 Ohio Youth Leadership Summit, CLICK HERE! If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us at OhioYLS@equitashealth.com or 1-(800)-332-2437.