>> What are some key-- and I'm talking about maybe two or three
at most, key nugget lessons that you've gained,
that you've learned in working with this population
that you think will be best for people to hear?
And I'll just go down the line.
So, Dwayne [assumed spelling]?
>> Glad you asked.
[laughs] Definitely I will say consistency and transparency.
When youth are relying on you to be there on that Sunday
or that Thursday because you claim that you're going
to have a program, you should, you know,
stand true to your word and be there.
And transparency, as we talked about earlier, sometimes we need
to step outside the box and open up because
within the family structure, the key, the root is communication.
And so being transparent and consistent.
>> Thank you Dwayne.
Susan?
>> Hi. We need to mobilize young men to support each other
and to recognize that these issues are important,
but also recognize that there's many other things
that are important to young men and we need to capitalize
on their interests in a variety of things
to get them into a program.
So they're not terribly interested usually in coming
into an HIV prevention program, but a program
that addresses other kinds of needs,
especially their social needs--
their chance to be with other young men
in a non-cruising area is really important to build on.
And then once you have them there then infuse HIV
prevention, talk about the importance of testing,
but still keep it fun for the guys to come to
or else they'll stop coming.
>> All right.
Thank you Susan.
Greg, I'd like to invite you to share.
>> Thanks.
I think one of the key things is really you know
that everybody has talked about already in terms of family,
creating a sense of community, of family, of being positive
and affirming of each other and you know trying
to combat those norms that might push people down.
And then instead our projects are trying to instill pride
in people, make them feel really good about being a young gay
or bi or other [inaudible] man of color and you know
that they have a sense of racial pride,
of pride who they are sexually,
and that it helps combat the negative images
that we see all the time in society today.
>> Thank you.
Thank you so much, Greg.
John, what pearls of wisdom [laughs] what pearls would you
like to [inaudible]?
>> I think I have two points
which is owning it and self care.
So we didn't get to hit a lot on the linkage to care part,
but how you and your role are positioned can own assisting
young gay men or anyone who's HIV into care.
And so owning your program, meaning using clear CRCS
as a conduit to sustain people
until the first medical appointment occurs
or the first case management appointment occurs,
not to see your intervention as something adjunct but integrated
into mobilizing the person to adapting a lifestyle to live
with HIV very healthy.
The other one is self care.
So anyone in this work, we are givers.
We'll give our last.
But what's important--
>> Um hum.
>> and I heard Iyanla Vanzant say this,
what's in the cup is for you.
What runneth over is for the community.
So remember that.
Constantly keep yourself replenished
and ready for the renewing.
>> All right.
Thank you John.
And Miguel you're the last [inaudible] pearl so--
>> Wow it's really bad to be the last one
because you guys already gave the great advice.
Well just anything that I can say is talk to the population
that you [inaudible] before implementing.
Talk, talk, talk to them a lot,
and then you will know what changes, or what you'll need
to prepare in order to serve them better.
And the second one will be do partnerships.
Partner with other service providers to provide the support
that all these youth need besides prevention services.
>> Thank you Miguel.