Access & Information
Volunteers Needed
AIDS Services of Austin welcomes new and potential volunteers for the
access and information phone lines. One of the best tools we have in the form
of prevention is education. Getting the facts out to the public. Letting people
know what methods are effective for prevention. The phone lines offer an
anonymity between caller and the information expert. Questions about sexual
transmission that can be uncomfortable in person are frequently explained over
the phone and the caller becomes more aware and better informed about HIV.
The access and information phone line provides information to the general
public about the transmission of HIV, anonymous testing sites, local support
groups for infected and non-infected individuals, risk reduction techniques,
basic information for potential clients, and so much more. The phone lines are
staffed by highly trained volunteers that have the information available
through training or on-site resources.
Getting the information out to the public is a vital role in education. Part
of our effectiveness is due to the extraordinary assistance of our volunteers.
If you are one of those folks who enjoy sharing your knowledge with others and
assisting ASA in the education process, I encourage you to become a part of the
access and information volunteer staff. The expertise of the volunteers is
highly valued and well received by the agency.
The education department will have the next training on July 22nd from 9am to
5:30pm. The access and information unit will train the following Monday and
Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. If you are interested, please give me, Jan
Rueb, a call at 406-6170. Let’s spread the facts, so we can help stop the
epidemic.
This article appears in June 30 • 1995 and June 30 • 1995 (Cover).