San Antonio College recently received a grant that will help fund awareness and prevention workshops on sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. The college was one of only five community colleges nationally to be recognized for its plans to promote health awareness and prevention within the community and its student body.

The Bridges to Healthy Communities grant is offered through a cooperative agreement between the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Each recognized community college receives $3,000 for hosting activities that support and impart health education. These activities, such as workshops and health fairs, must integrate community residents with college students in a single setting, so they can communicate and learn from one another.

"I am so excited to receive this small award of $3,000 to address the high HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), and teen pregnancy in our community," said Dr. Pamela Hill, professor of psychology at San Antonio College. She will serve as the grant's project director and will work with several local partnering agencies to achieve a common goal.

San Antonio College, together with three community-based agencies, will work to educate San Antonians about the presence of HIV/AIDS, STD's, and teen pregnancy in their community and about prevention techniques. Approximately 50 San Antonio College students will receive training from the Community Clinic-Project Save, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and JOVEN - three local, civic-minded organizations that will train about 25 students each semester to be "safe sex experts."

Once trained, these students will conduct workshops about safe sex, risky sexual behavior, and the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy. Pending final approval by the San Antonio Independent School District, they also will help teach abstinence curriculum to middle school and high school students.

During the first week in December, San Antonio College students will host a commemoration of World AIDS Day, featuring testimonials and skits, a candlelight vigil, a film festival, and free HIV, HCV, and syphilis testing. In the spring, students will participate with the college's community-based partners in San Antonio College's annual health fair.

The Bridges to Healthy Communities grant is for a ten-month period, from June 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005. For more information, call Dr. Pamela Hill at 733-2606.