Our Space
Our Space kicked off in 2007 by Women with A Vision. WWAV is a community-based non-profit, founded in 1991 by a grassroots collective of African-American women in response to the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities of color.
Recognizing that the face of HIV/AIDS has changed in New Orleans, with heterosexual Black women becoming the fastest growing population of newly-diagnosed cases in the city and state, this initial group of women disseminated HIV/AIDS education and substance abuse resources to individuals practicing high-risk behaviors such as injection drug use and unsafe sex practices.
In turn, expanding resources to comprehensive programs to address soci-economic root causes that increase communities vulnerability to HIV. Eventually, WWAV hired additional outreach workers indigenous to the communities they served, and committed itself to providing HUV/AIDS prevention education.
Our counseling and testing services, substance abuse resources, health fairs, home health parties, and education related to other women’s health concerns.
Our Space provides a safe place where women can come to exchange this information.
OUR MISSION
Our Space Project offers a safe, respectful, free-of-judgement space for young women impacted by the sex trade and street economies and to recognize their goals, dreams and desires.
OUR VALUES
There are five components to our program:
- Self Care
- Empowerment Model
- Harm Reduction
- Social Justice
- Popular Education
OUR SERVICES
- Dissemination of information related to HIV/AIDS, brest cancer, substance abuse, treatment, testing and other women’s health issues.
- Outreach and education on how to take care of oneself
- HIV testing and counseling
- Facilitation of presentations, health fairs, and home health parties
- Free condoms and free resource information
- Referrals to appropriate community resources for medical care and hygiene
- Collaboration with HIV/AIDS services organizations, community health organizations, and other community-based grassroots organizations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do you offer?
Informational sessions and focus groups for women to exchange life experiences and educate women on how to care for their bodies, emotions, relationships, money rights, options, and their whole selves.
What do you mean by harm reduction?
Practice of respectful, free of judgment engagement with people to find ways to be healthier, safer, and more in control of our lives without having to make sudden and immediate changes. A project for young women currently trading sex for money, gifts, drugs, or survival needs.
How do I make a referral to OUR SPACE?
Have the woman call us! We can also arrange a meeting to talk about the program.
How much does it cost?
All of our activities are FREE. We receive funding from private contributions and foundation sources to make it possible to offer services completely free of charge.
Are you in an other location besides 1516 S. Salcedo St.?
Most of our groups/activities happen at 1515 S. Salcedo but we are willing to work with women to create a presence in locations all over the city.
Our Sponsors
National AIDS Foundation
Ford Foundation
Our Space is a non-profit organization and all sponsorship benefits the wonderful women we work with . Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.
