FREE RETREAT February 7th-9th

During the retreat you will get a chance to talk to other individuals about issues that you face everyday and discuss ways to help overcome issues by listening to others that have overcome similar issues, all while being away in a relaxing retreat. Healthy Relationships is a program for small groups off people living with HIV/AIDS. Knowing that the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS are stressful, this retreat aims to build coping skills to reduce stress. Some of the skills involve: Solving problems Making decisions Negotiating choices These skills can be used in situations such as: Disclosing HIV status to family and friends Disclosing to sex partners Building healthy and safer relationships Healthy Relationships does not tell people they should disclose. Participants use the skills to make informed decisions about disclosure and sexual behavior. For more information: call 202-446-1100 or Email Ken Pettigrew Kpettigrew@uhupil.org Kenya Hutton Khutton@uhupil.org

Retreats and Workshops for People Living with HIV in DC

Young Poz Socials Memorial Day Campout, May 25-27: DC Young Poz Socials is an informal social group geared for Washington, D.C. area HIV-positive guys in their 20s and 30s. They are heading to Berkeley Springs West Virginia for some semi-rustic fun. Enjoy sleeping in tents, cooking on the open fire, and sitting around the campfire at night. For more information visit www.yngpozsocials.com. Camp Safe Haven (ages 7-17), August: This free week-long summer residential camp serves is for young people who are who are infected or directly affected by HIV/AIDS. The camp takes place at the Mar-Lu Ridge Camp and Conference Center in Frederick County, MD. For more information visit www.lssnca.org/prod05.htm or call 202-723-3000 ext. 200. Damien Ministries Retreat, August 27th to 30th: Discover the meaning of God and spirituality for yourself and within the HIV/AIDS Experience. For more information visit www.damienministries.org or call 202 526-3020. Quality of Life Retreat, August 31st to September 3rd: Quality of Life Retreats are a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It is a chance to get away, to get together, to interact and to learn the techniques and attitudes that are effective in dealing with the issues of long-term survival. The retreat will take place August 31st to September 3rd at the Mar-Lu Conference Center, on Catoctin Ridge in Frederick County, MD. For more information visit: www.qualityofliferetreatshiv.org. Deepening Relationships Workshop with Frank Ostaseski, September 15-16: The intent of this unique program is to “develop self-awareness among participants, building our capacity and skills in deepening relationships with those we serve and with the Mystery of death. Specifically we will explore how the three innate qualities of Love. Joy and Compassion arise as an appropriate and supportive response to conditions surrounding the end of life.” For more information visit www.compassionatedc.org. This event is sponsored by Joseph's House.

DC Young Poz Socials Memorial Day Campout

Join the DCYPS boys for another exciting trip out of town! This time we're headed to Berkeley Springs West Virginia for some semi-rustic fun. Enjoy sleeping in tents, cooking on the open fire, sitting around the campfire at night, clean shower facilities, and much more all within minutes of historical Berkley Springs, and the added option of renting a cabin or chalet for those members not into tents and sleeping bags. When: Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2007 Where: West Virginia Cost: Various pricing plans. Contact: info@dcyngpozsocials.com. We are looking for volunteers to help with planning, cooking, and camping equipment. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2007 Any members deciding to attend after this date will be subject to space availability and increased cost. Camping for Beginners: If you do not have camping equipment (let's face it most guys in the city don't do a lot of camping), we will try to pair people up with those who do have large tents, extra sleeping bags, etc. You can generally find cheap equipment (small tents and sleeping bags) at places like Target, Wal-Mart, and (god forbid you're seen) K-Mart. Hopefully, we will have enough guys who have tents so those without will only need a sleeping bag and flashlight.

Damien Ministries Retreat August 27-30

Damien Ministries will be hosting a retreat for people living with HIV/AIDS from August 27-30. They invite you to: "Discover the meaning of God and spirituality for yourself within the HIV/AIDS experience; focus on spiritual growth that encourages learning, healing, relaxation, and fun, surround yourself in a time, place, and commmunity of grace and care." More information is available on the Damien Ministries Website. The application deadline is August 15th.

Quick. What are you doing the last weekend of March?

Quick. What are you doing the last weekend of March? How would you like to help save the lives of young black men and get a free trip in the process? You can. It's not too late to sign up for the "Ebony Distinctions" retreat hosted by Us Helping Us, People into Living Inc. (UHUPIL) and Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL). This important retreat will help educators and prevention workers to create HIV prevention strategies specifically tailored to young men of color. Although there will be other retreats over the next 7 months, the first one takes place the weekend of , March 30th to April 1st . Those who sign up will get an all-expense paid trip to a resort. During the weekend, you can help researchers understand more about our community and take advantage of this rare but important opportunity to make a difference. How do you feel about the major issues affecting our community like HIV/AIDS, STDs, drug abuse, and mental health? What does community mean? Do we have a community? If so, what defines it? Who is in it? Those are some of the questions that many of you have been asking for quite some time. Now you have a chance to provide answers that will make a difference. “Ebony Distinctions” is a program created to find out your answers to these questions and to start building a community ... whatever we decide that means. It's time for us to define community ourselves and to answer questions that will help build, save and heal the community we all want. Your tax dollars support "Ebony Distinctions" and you should benefit from it. We are seeking black men who want to talk about these issues. We’re looking for black men who want to save other black men. And they are looking for black men who want to have some fun with other black men at a luxury resort. Here are the details below. WHAT IT IS? An all expense paid trip First Retreat: March 30th –April 1st. there will be a total of four (4) retreats over the next 7 months. Even if you aren't available for the first retreat you should call now to sign up for future retreats. An interactive, fun-filled weekend with other black men. A chance to: 1) getaway from the city 2) fellowship with other brothers who have similar interests 3) discuss some problems and solutions affecting our community 4) personal enrichment and healing. WHAT IT IS NOT? � A preach session or academic or clinical information session. � Boring � Public (your participation is confidential) DETAILS: 1. Participants must complete an initial interview and questionnaire, which is set up by appointment at your convenience. 2. An orientation will be held 3 days before the retreat. To schedule your initial interview and sign up for this very important initiative, please contact Kenya Hutton at: 202-446-1104 202-425-7782 Khutton@uhupil.org Activities Available at the Resort: Golf, Swimming & Racquetball, Full Service Spa & Fitness Center, Equestrian & Stables, Skating & Skiing. In addition, there will be social activities and events planned by the coordinators.

May 25-28: Quality of Life Retreat for People Living with HIV/AIDS

The next retreat takes places May 25th-28th in Frederick, MD The Quality of Life Retreat program began in 1988. Since then over sixty-two retreats have been conducted. The retreats are a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It is a chance to get away, to get together, to interact and to learn the techniques and attitudes that are effective in dealing with the issues of long-term survival. The program includes workshops that focus on self-acceptance, spiritual empowerment, stigmas, mental health, and maintaining quality of life. There will be workshops, entertainment, singing, prayer, and a healing services. Participants support each other through a Prayer-Buddy System. The group may also design a Talent Show. The retreat is limited to 40 participants and is offered to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The program is ecumenical and opent to individuals of all faiths, religions, and beliefs. The retreats have four objects: To provide a safe, loving environment in which participants can be fully themselves, free of fears and inhibitions, and can deal openly with their deeest concerns. To offer spiritual, practical, educational and health resources to those whose lives have been, are and will be affected personally by HIV infection. To listen to what HIV infected persons have to say about their journeys. To offer and develop a viable model of how the religious community can make a compassionate and effective response to this crisis. The ultimate goal is to provide retreats that will be a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. The next retreat will take place May 25-28 at the Mar-Lu Conference Center, on Catoctin Ridge in Frederick County, MD. For more information visit www.qualityofliferetreatshiv.org

Damien Ministries Retreat: February 12-15

Damien Ministries will be hosting a retreat for people living with HIV/AIDS from February 12th to 15th. They invite you to: "Discover the meaning of God and spirituality for yourself within the HIV/AIDS experience; focus on spiritual growth that encourages learning, healing, relaxation, and fun, surround yourself in a time, place, and commmunity of grace and care." More information is available on the Damien Ministries Website. The application deadline is January 29th.

Us Helping Us Noir Reflections Retreat '06

Tim'm West Reflects on the 2006 Noir Reflections Retreat: we came to hills where cometh our strength, riding the wave of whatever change was awaiting permission to be sparked. we brought our burdens there: full hearts and blues boxes with songs from the key of life and salt. we came committed to be the change we dream: living in our fullness where others filled their emptiness with next cocktails, cocks or tails. sober, we understood the necessity of feeling with the clarity of vultures sighting sustinence. holding one another close, we understood that expressions of intimacy don't require nakedness, risk, or self-sacrifice. we held one another so closely that it hurt to let go. in the after... we will have to call on the memory of such protectedness. Continue reading this article on the Brave Souls Collective Website

UMC Quality of Life Retreats for People with HIV/AIDS

The next retreat takes places February 5th-8th at the Washington DC Retreat House The Quality of Life Retreat program began in 1988. Since then over sixty-two retreats have been conducted. The retreats are a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It is a chance to get away, to get together, to interact and to learn the techniques and attitudes that are effective in dealing with the issues of long-term survival. The program includes workshops that focus on self-acceptance, spiritual empowerment, stigmas, mental health, and maintaining quality of life. There will be workshops, entertainment, singing, prayer, and a healing services. Participants support each other through a Prayer-Buddy System. The group may also design a Talent Show. The retreat is limited to 40 participants and is offered to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The program is ecumenical and opent to individuals of all faiths, religions, and beliefs. The retreats have four objects: To provide a safe, loving environment in which participants can be fully themselves, free of fears and inhibitions, and can deal openly with their deeest concerns. To offer spiritual, practical, educational and health resources to those whose lives have been, are and will be affected personally by HIV infection. To listen to what HIV infected persons have to say about their journeys. To offer and develop a viable model of how the religious community can make a compassionate and effective response to this crisis. The ultimate goal is to provide retreats that will be a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. The next retreat will take place February 5th-8th at the Washington DC Retreat House, which is operated by the Sisters of the Franciscan Order. For more information visit www.qualityofliferetreatshiv.org