GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE AT www.cablepositive.org/yami.php

Cable Positive is taking direct aim at HIV infection among the youth demographic with the on-line launch of The Youth AIDS Media Institute (YAMI), a ground-breaking initiative made possible by a grant from the Motorola Foundation, that focuses directly on young people and the important role they play in halting the spread of the disease.  More than half of all new HIV infections occur in young people ages 15-24, making youth in all demographics most at-risk of contracting the disease.  This problem is compounded by the fact that one in four infected individuals does not know his or her status, increasing the risk of transmission to others and the delay of treatment to themselves. 

YAMI’s primary mission is to empower youth to take an active interest and make a tangible impact in their communities regarding HIV and AIDS education, prevention and awareness.  The Institute will educate students about the power and use of new media platforms such as text and video messaging to get this job done.