SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

CLASS: HLTH 1110

By Greg Sego
Volunteer Organization: AIDS Foundation of Utah
Total volunteer time: 11.5 hours (including volunteer
orientation)
The AIDS Foundation of Utah has been in existence since 1985.
At that time there were only 17 known persons living with AIDS in Utah;
the state and most citizens were unprepared to address the growing
HIV/AIDS issue. The need for public information and assistance for
those living with AIDS forced a community-based response, which
ultimately became the Utah Aids Foundation (UAF). What began with a
few volunteers running a crisis hotline has grown and evolved into a
organization providing professional and volunteer services to both
educate the community and support those living with HIV. Programs
offered include HIV and STI testing, counseling, transportation
assistance, a food bank, school presentations and prevention outreach
at various venues and events. Their vision is to reduce HIV infection
and AIDS and their stigma. Great strides have been made in
understanding and treating HIV infection over the years; UAF has
modified their program to accomodate the changing needs of the
community. Treatment can reduce the amount of virus in an infected
individuals body to "undetectable" levels--this not only minimizes the
complications of HIV and prevents its progression to AIDS, but also
greatly reduces the likelihood of transmission to others. Also, preexposure prophylaxis (Prep) medication is now available that can
reduce the risk of infection by 92 percent. Prep is not a "chemical
condom," but rather a prevention strategy that should be used in
combination with other strategies (eg, condoms, regular STI testing,
reducing sexual partners, lubrication, and non-penetrative sex). The
results of studies are very positive in the effectiveness of these
treatments and/or strategies. Today, people come to the AIDS
Foundation to live, rather than to die.
I chose the Utah AIDS Foundation for my service learning project
because the underserved population that this organization assists is
not one that I have had much contact with or personal knowledge
about. While a variety of people from all walks of life benefit from the
services of the UAF, the primary population served are men who have
sex with men. Being raised in a very conservative household in a small

town in rural Utah, I had never met anyone that is openly gay until I
moved away from home to go to college. Though outside of my
comort zone, I was not afraid or homophobic in my approach to
volunteering for this community. I think this is mainly because I was
always taught to remember that people are people; they should be
treated with respect and dignity, even if their way of living is not
alligned with yours. That being said, my parents and family expressed
concern over me volunteering for this organization and being in close
proximity with ones who may have AIDS (especially if I was going to be
involved in the HIV testing program).
I was also motivated to volunteer at the UAF by discussions in
class regarding social diversity. I have realized that no matter how
much we feel that we are without prejudice, mainstream socialization
has wielded its powerful influence in ways in which we are often
unaware. Stereotypical ideas regarding the gay community are hardwired into much of our society; it is only through seeking out
education, listening to the experience of others, and honest selfevaluation that we can work to eradicate prejudice in ourselves. Sadly,
the abundance of misinformation and homophobic propaganda towards
the gay community has proved to be an impediment in preventing the
spread of HIV. Challenging those stereotypes through dialogue and
allyship are keys to halting discrimination and opening the way for
community education that will arm individuals with the knowledge
needed to prevent HIV infection. I felt that volunteering with an
organization that has proven successful in this would be very beneficial
for me.
My experience with the Utah AIDS Foundation certainly expanded
my knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and the various factors and
challenges they face in their aforementioned mission. It is both
frustrating and encouraging to realize that we, as a community, have
the power to halt the spread of HIV. Many of the dangerous sex
practices of the MSM (men who have sex with men) population stem
from the internalization of homophobia--these include anonymous sex,
multiple and ever-changing sex partners, lack of sex education and
knowledge of risks involved, etc... These practices would be greatly
reduced if both the individual, and society in general, accepted their
sexual orientation and they could express their sexuality in more
healthy ways. In addition, the UAF works in association with
government and private programs to get quality healthcare and
treatment for the underprivileged. Herein, we find the cross-sections
of heterosexism, classism, racism, and transgender oppression. It is
often the poor and people of color that suffer from lack or treatment
and health management. The UAF seeks to overcome these crosssections of oppression by providing services for those who cannot
afford them otherwise (eg, testing, foodbank, helping ones sign up for

government programs).
My interaction with the UAF employees and other volunteers was
a great experience! When a group of people come together for a good
cause, the result is an interchange of encouragement for all. It felt
very rewarding to contribute to what this organization is doing; it also
strengthens my faith in the goodness of people that they volunteer
their time, expertise (such as the counselors and phlebotomists), and
energy to help others and keep this organization in operation. It takes
15-20 people to perform all the tasks associated with the test site
evenings. Most of the volunteers were very friendly and eager to
assist in helping train new volunteers. A couple of my fellow
volunteers were quirky and extroverted, this made for a lively evening
full of education and amusement (though they kept the operation
professional).
I also was able to volunteer in setting up and participating in the
"Red Carpet Gala" event. Basically an Oscar party, this is one of UAF's
biggest fundraisers of the year. Fundraising activities included taking
donations and running a silent auction. Many prominent local
businesses and organizations donated valuable goods/services to the
auction. It was a black-tie affair and was catered; it was hosted by two
well-known TV broadcasters. I was able to help setup the tables and
decor prior to the event, then help in running the silent auction. As I
listened to some of the stories that were related of those who had
benefitted from the work of the Utah AIDS Foundation, I was very
happy that I spent part of my weekend supporting this fundraiser.
To volunteer at an organization like the Utah AIDS Foundation,
you have to be free of prejudice and judgement. I learned early that it
is no place to be overly prudish. Open discussions about sexual
practices are commonplace and necessary. At the orientation for
volunteering at their test site, the instructor "broke the ice" by going
through the alphabet and circling the room, each person had to
connect a sexual topic to the letter that fell upon them. At first I
thought this kind of odd, maybe a bit improper, but when I volunteered
at the test site I realized that awareness and openness regarding sex
(in its many forms) is needed. At the test site I spent the first part of
the evening shadowing another volunteer for "intake," which involved
interviewing each client to determine which tests were recommended,
filling out paperwork, and taking payment for any tesst that weren't
free of charge. Afterwards, it was my turn to perform the interviews
(with the UAF employee's oversight). Asking client's about their
specific sex prefences and practices was way out of my comfort zone,
but I was able to accomplish the task without too many stutters. My
biggest fear was that my nervousness would make the client nervous
or uncomfortable; however, with practice I become more at ease and

was able to perform the task with professionalism. I was glad that I
had this experience! As I complete my nursing program, and seek
employment as a nurse, I will need to approach patient's without
prejudice or judgement, giving equal care and compassion to persons
from all backgrounds and walks of life. I also need to be prepared to
hear just about anything, yet maintain composure and professionalism.
A big part of the "vision" for the Utah AIDS Foundation is to
reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS. It was the misunderstanding and
stigma of AIDS that stymied research and treatment development of
the disease. Strides have been made in community awareness and
knowledge (both of prevention and treatment); also, many are realizing
the toll of homophobia and heterosexism on our community and are
becoming allies for those with same-sex attraction. There is still a
massive need for increased awareness and stigma reduction. It was
brought to my attention that heterosexism within the latino/latina
culture prevents those with same-sex attraction to accept their
sexuality--this leads to denial and prevents individuals from seeking
testing/treatment. It is also imperitive that school-aged children
become aware of the risks associated with sexually activity and are
equipped with straightforward, honest information.
HIV education and eradication is a challenge, but one that I am
glad to have a small part in. This is a much needed service in our
community. In fact, when volunteering, I was surprised how many
people showed up and how the room was full fifteen minutes prior to
the scheduled opening time. I truly believe that most of those that
were tested would never have done so if not for programs like the
testing site at the UAF. I am planning on continuing my volunteer
service at the Utah AIDS Foundation, with a goal of volunteering once a
month. I hope to volunteer in different capacities, incorporating both
technical skills I am learning for my nursing career (eg, drawing blood
and processing lab tests) and skills I've learn from my social diversity
class (dialogue, allyship, building community, and creating change).