“Asking these questions in a relationship isn’t always easy, but three questions can help keep DC residents HIV-free: Do we know our HIV status? Is it just the two of us in the relationship? Do we use condoms?” said Fenty. “Protecting yours and your partner’s health will also protect the health of all DC residents.”   

The $75,000 multimedia public awareness campaign includes Metro, print, and bus stop shelter ads.  It also includes a three-part radio ad series where a couple discusses the three questions over dinner.  The campaign was developed from DOH scientific studies on the HIV health behavior of heterosexuals and men who have sex with men.  The studies showed that about half of District adults did not know their partner’s HIV status, that many believed their partner was having sex with other individuals while in their relationship and between one-third and one-half were not using condoms. 

“Whether you’ve been in a relationship for 3 months, 3 years or 30 years, knowing your HIV status, understanding your relationship and deciding to use condoms will help keep you safe and healthy,” said Dr. Pierre Vigilance, Director of the Department of Health.  “The District provides free HIV testing and free condoms to all residents so that these necessary discussions are easier to have.”  

As part of the outreach campaign, residents are able to find free HIV testing and get free condoms by calling 311 or going online at www.DCTakesOnHIV.com.  In the District, residents can also text DCWRAP to 365247 to find the nearest free condom location.  District residents can now order free condoms sent directly from DOH to them by ordering online at www.DCTakesOnHIV.com. 

“When we live in the city with the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country, it’s the highest priority to know where you stand in your relationships,” said Dr. Shannon Hader, Senior Deputy Director of the DOH HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD & TB Administration. “Raising these three questions on HIV status, relationships and condoms will go a long way to reducing HIV in DC.”   

Fenty Administration Kicks Off Registration for 2010 Summer Youth Employment Program

Fenty and Department of Employment Services (DOES) Director Joseph P. Walsh announced the start of registration for the 2010 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).  To encourage youth to participate, former and returning SYEP youth joined the Mayor at Allen Senior Housing on Minnesota Avenue, a Summer Youth Employer in 2009, and shared their experiences. 

“This summer thousands of youth will be relying on us to provide them with meaningful summer work experiences," said Fenty. “Inspired by last year’s record breaking participation, we are gearing up for an exciting summer that will challenge youth across the District and lay the foundation for their professional achievement for years to come.”  

Beginning March 2, 2010 and ending April 16, 2010, registration will be open to young adults between the ages of 14 and 21. The registration process for this year’s SYEP is once again being conducted online at summerjobs.dc.gov. To register, youth will need to provide their social security number and permanent address. All participants must be District residents. Interested youth who cannot access their social security numbers should contact the Office of Youth Programs for assistance. 

"Youth unemployment is at an all time high throughout the nation, but we know that when a person has work experience when they are young, they are much more likely to gain employment when they are adults,” said DOES Director Joseph Walsh. “SYEP continues to be critical to our young people’s success and it changes tens of thousands of lives for the better. Our youth not only gain valuable work experience, but they are also re-investing into their communities through service at local worksites.”  

This year, participants will earn the federal minimum wage while working in local small businesses, cultural and tourism institutions, local and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, recreation centers, child care facilities, libraries, and health care facilities. Participants will also receive training in work-readiness, post-secondary education, career exploration, and financial literacy. Nearly 21,000 youth were employed through SYEP in 2009. 

For additional information about the 2010 Summer Youth Employment Program, residents can visit the summer job website, call 311 for general information, or call the DOES Office of Youth Programs at (202) 698-3492.