HiTOPS was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from FACT Bucks County to implement HIV prevention and risk reduction education programs with four high school populations. Funding will benefit an afterschool program for Latinas in Princeton, Trenton and West Windsor, and in school programs for Hopewell Valley Regional High school.
FACT an acronym for Fighting AIDS Continuously Together was established in 1992 to increase awareness and raise funds to combat AIDS.
HiTOPS will present its 22-week afterschool program for Latinas at three school and community sites in Trenton, West Windsor and Princeton. This year HiTOPS will also pilot an adapted model for girls within the African-American community.
HiTOPS Teen Council, comprised of 20 area high school seniors trained in leadership, group facilitation and sexual health issues, has provided peer-led outreach programs on sexual health issues for more than 15 years. Through the use of skits and structured small group activities, the peer leaders provide factual information about HIV prevention in a format that is engaging, relevant, and age-appropriate for high school-aged students.

