Click here for the 2008 AAHU CM application. Deadline is Nov. 27.

Aimed at strengthening Black organizational and individual capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their communities, the AAHU Community Mobilization College (AAHU CMC) is a comprehensive training and internship fellowship program. It is designed to decrease stigma and misperception and increase the engagement of the Black community in HIV services, by enhancing leadership development and information transfer among key stakeholders.

AAHU CMC ensures participants learn community mobilization strategies and techniques incrementally. It is concentrated and repetitive tackling the underlying social, economic and cultural factors that prevent Black people from fully accessing and using HIV services.

AAHU CMC utilizes a unique and effective method for addressing these complex issues. The program is based around the AAHU Community Mobilization method. This four-part curriculum addresses the barriers that prevent many in the Black community from utilizing HIV services.

How does AAHU CMC build individual and organization capacity?
By participating in AAHU CMC, organizations will have the benefit of highly skilled personnel able to strengthen organizational goals in mobilizing their communities around HIV/AIDS. Both organizations and individuals will have:
• Greater capacity to reach out to Traditional Black Institutions in developing partnerships.
• Increased numbers of people in their community and organization who have access to the latest prevention information.
• Increased capacity to engage black communities in accessing HIV services.
• Strengthened relationships with traditional Black institutions (TBI) as well as other CBOs and ASOs.

What are the components of AAHU CMC?
AAHU CMC has four components:
1. Home Studies. At least two-weeks prior to each training, participants will receive a home study packet to prepare them for the upcoming course.
2. Internships. Internships allow participants to apply lessons learned in trainings in order to increase community mobilization around HIV/AIDS. Internships are three months in length and take place in the participants’ community.
3. Community Mobilization Trainings. Participants travel to Los Angeles for three 6-10 day trainings. These trainings prepare Fellows for their internship activities.
4. Community Mobilization Symposium. Fellows will come to Los Angeles to present their community mobilization experiences to peers and representatives of Traditional Black Institutions.

Who can apply to AAHU CMC?
Any organization or individual serving the Black community can apply to AAHU. Priority will be given to:
1. Directly or indirectly CDC-funded CBOs/ASOs serving black communities at high risk
2. Traditional Black Institutions (e.g. civil rights, social & professional organization, political organizations, Historically Black Colleges & Universities, faith-based groups, and black media).