Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS/HIV Research & Treatment (SMART)

Description

SMART University started 4 1/2 years ago in East Harlem, NY as treatment education program for women impacted with HIV/AIDS. SMART became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in 2000. It is the only AIDS not-for-profit organization in New York State run by and for HIV+ women. In summer of 2002, a "book club" was started in collaboration with another grassroots organization, Voices Unbroken, as a literacy/GED/College prep program for participants of SMART University as well as other women with literacy needs or who just wanted to become a part of our "book club" in East Harlem. SMART also puts out a quarterly newsletter, JUICE, which has treatment and prevention information with a focus on women's health issues. SMART is also starting to work in collaboration with Exodus Transitional Community, also located in East Harlem and where we share small office space, to work with people who are incarcerated or post-incarceration who are living with HIV/AIDS. Exodus provides services to ex-offenders. SMART University has also co-sponsored conferences and seminars and does treatment education workshops outside of NYC. Our instructors for our classes which range on various topics are prominent health care providers, professionals (such as lawyers), activists and advocates who volunteer their time for these classes. Some sit on our Advisory Board and are an invaluable resource for the ever changing HIV/AIDS treatment arena.