Project ReConnect

Project ReConnect is a program to help people living with HIV/AIDS reconnect or stay connected with the community. People facing serious illness often view their lives in terms of limitations and losses imposed by their illness, isolating them from community psychologically and physically. Project ReConnect addresses social, emotional, educational, and vocational needs of HIV-positive individuals to help them explore new possibilities for a hopeful and healthier lifestyle. The program focuses on opportunities for education, employment, and volunteering, as well as access to services. Project ReConnect improves capacity for self-monitoring by HIV-positive individuals, and facilitates use of existing non-HIV-specific services, such as mental health or substance abuse services.

The goal of Project ReConnect is to enable HIV-positive people to explore career, educational, and volunteer activities and to de-stigmatize HIV through education and advocacy.

In its first year, Project ReConnect trained six ReConnect Advocates who completed seven agency presentations at HIV service providers, including community support networks, job centers, the housing authority, and Santa Rosa Junior College. The advocates provided information and support to the Food for Thought AIDS Food Bank. Advocates presented to local health jurisdictions at the California Early Intervention Program Conference, and presented a workshop at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS All Grantee Program Meeting. The program has translated resource guides into Spanish, created a project website, and created a tool kit so that other jurisdictions can replicate the project.