Project TEACH

Our signature education program Project TEACH and our Peer Education and Sexual Health Education programs provide courses and workshops at FIGHT, in the community, and in schools.

Project TEACH (Treatment Education Activists Combating HIV) is an innovative health education program which trains people living with HIV/AIDS to act as peer educators, activists and advocates in the under-served communities hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic — low-income communities and communities of color. TEACH focuses not only on prevention but treatment education, outreach and advocacy.

Project TEACH began in 1996 and has since graduated more than 3,000 people. Our core training program teaches people living with HIV the basics of secondary prevention and methods of communicating this information to others living with HIV. It is founded on the belief that people have a right to know about their own bodies and to determine their own health care.

Classes

Project TEACH classes are twice a week for eight weeks. Classes run in the winter, spring, summer, and fall and are open to anyone who is living with HIV. Topics include staying healthy when you are HIV positive through assertive use of health care, pharmaceutical and complementary therapies, prevention and early treatment of infections, nutrition, clinical trials, stress reduction and peer support. Many of our graduates have gone on to become peer educators or community leaders in the field of HIV/AIDS care.

In addition to Project TEACH, our education department sponsors:

TEACH Outside

For people living with HIV who have a history of incarceration or have been detained. Virtual classes will meet for 5 weeks, twice a week. 

Youth TEACH

A retreat style education program for young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who are living with HIV/AIDS. Virtual classes will meet twice a week for 5 weeks. 

Frontline TEACH

A series of educational videos that can be viewed online. Content is for family members, support workers, or people who work in the HIV/AIDS field. Enrollment is not limited to people who are living with HIV.

Latino TEACH

A 5-week class for Spanish speaking people living with HIV hosted at Prevention Point Philadelphia.

Faithful TEACH

A seven weeks course for faithful leaders whose faith communities are impacted by the HIV Pandemic.

Women’s TEACH 

For all self-identifying women living with HIV/AIDS. It is a 5 weeks virtual class, twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays.

TEACH Alumni Programming

For TEACH, TEACH Outside, Women’s TEACH, Youth TEACH, and Latino TEACH graduates. Alumni Program Meetings are fun-filled, interactive, and inspiring meetings held once a week via zoom on Wednesday’s from 3:00PM – 4:30PM. Each week, the group participates in fitness exercises, meditation, and thought provoking discussions, while honoring the expectations that everyone be themselves and the space remain non-judgmental and safe. Updates on upcoming webinars, trainings, and workshops are provided along with employment opportunities, HIV research studies, and HIV support group information. A Project TEACH Alumni Newsletter is also updated weekly and disseminated to all FIGHT staff as a resource. 

The Peer Education and Digital Navigators for Patient Portals

An ongoing job training program for community members interested in learning about and informing peer community members about digital literacy, HIV/AIDS, STI’s, Hep-C and general Health. This revised program supports the professional development of all participants combined with exposure to community stakeholders through in-person and virtual presentations. The Peer Education and Digital Navigators For Patient Portals accepts applicants on a rolling basis.