AIDS Ambassadors
UCLA chapter
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
EVENTS
In addition to teachings at high schools in Los Angeles, AIDS Ambassadors participates in many on-campus events and provides multiple opportunities for you to get involved!
TEACHINGS
AIDS Ambassadors at UCLA is as an undergraduate teaching group, which reaches out to youth in the greater Los Angeles area. We use interactive and art-based teaching methods to educate high school students. We are the second component of the 3-part program called AMP it up!, along with the UCLA Sex Squad and UCLA Global Art|Health Center. We teach students about the risks of HIV and AIDS transmission, safe sex practices, and proper condom use.
WORLD AIDS DAY
As part of UCLA Year of the Arts, the university participates in World AIDS Day on December 1 by hosting a series of events. Throughout the day, the Department of World Arts and Cultures and UCLA AIDS Institute informs campus and community participants about the ways in which they can help stop AIDS around the world. Every two hours, a new AIDS awareness perspective is featured along with powerful messages from outspoken artists no longer willing to stand silent in the shadow of government indifference and social disapproval. In addition, a dramatic noontime march will encourage members of the campus and Los Angeles communities to get tested and learn their HIV status.
DANCE MARATHON
The Annual UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition's Dance Marathon is held on campus every February to acknowledge the battle of children suffering from AIDS. We show support by fighting our own personal battle: staying on our feet for 26 hours to literally take a stand for Pediatric HIV/AIDS.
With thousands of participants, live music, and appearances by celebrities and activists alike, Dance Marathon has raised $3 million in its eleven year history, benefiting HIV-affected children around the world. Proceeds benefit three organizations: the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Project Kindle, and the UCLA AIDS Institute. Since its inception in 2002, DM aims to empower the UCLA campus community in the fight against pediatric AIDS by raising awareness about the importance of HIV education and testing and helping young people make a difference in halting the spread of this critical, preventable disease.
AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES
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Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised more than $75 million for HIV programs and services throughout Los Angeles County and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the country. In 2011 alone, 30,000 participants, many of whom were members of 1,600 corporate and community teams, raised $3 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles and 24 other L.A. County AIDS service organizations. For more information, visit aidswalk.net.
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BLACKLIGHT!
This event is slowly becoming a tradition for AIDS Awareness clubs. Many organizations like Pediatric AIDS Coalition and AIDS Ambassadors come together in an effort to educate UCLA's hill residence about HIV/AIDS and effective protection against it.
ON-CAMPUS COLLABORATIONS
AIDS Ambassadors at UCLA collaborates with many other student organizations to promote sexual awareness and foster a more educated community. Throughout the year, we have participated in on-campus fairs such as the No Glove, No Love event and Sextravaganza.
SOCIALS/RETREATS
In order to foster trust and open communication among all of our members, AIDS Ambassadors holds quarterly socials for all of our members. These events vary from dinners in Westwood and apartment gatherings to hikes up to the Hollywood sign. Sometimes we collaborate with our partner affiliation, UCLA Sex Squad, in hosting weekend retreats to meet new people and have fun!