2003 Rockefeller New Media Foundation Proposal

Abstract

"Need_X_Change," is designed to help the staff and clients of Casa Segura, an HIV prevention and needle exchange clinic in Oakland, California attain social and political "voice", through communication with their local community and participation in the global information culture. There are an estimated 22,000 injection drug users in Oakland and Alameda County, California. A total of 37.8% of all AIDS cases in Alameda County are related to injection drug use. Needle exchange programs are a proven method of reducing needle-related HIV risk behaviors among injection drug users. Casa Segura is a community based organization that provides easily accessible services to promote health and stop the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other drug related harm among people who use drugs, their families and their community. The "voices" of the many individuals who both use and staff Casa Segura (the Safe House) will be made audible to the public through the project web-site and public graphics program. The project has three phases, Voice, Education, and Outreach.