Leah Campos

Host Site:  Southern Tier Aids Program                                  AmeriCorps Position:  Project VIIBES Program Assistant/Educator
Location:  Johnson City, NY                                                                 (Voices Involved in Building & Enhancing Safety)             
Focus of Service: Leah assists in the facilitation of the effective behavioral intervention VOICES/VOCES (Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex) which includes:
  • assisting with group facilitation
  • harm and risk reduction education
  • teaching condom negotiation skills
  • assisting with HIV testing events

She also assists in the facilitation of the effective behavioral intervention RAPP (Real AIDS Prevention Project) which includes:
  • assisting with peer training
  • development of Role Model Stories
  • conducting outreach
Leah performs community outreach and build relationships with community partners, including culturally sensitive local businesses (barbershops, beauty salons, nail salons, hip hop fashion stores, etc.)

She performs community outreach to recruit individuals for group activities and local HIV/STI testing events in accordance with STAP data collection procedures, retains accurate records on individual and group level interventions, education programs, presentations, and outreach activities

Leah educates people about HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), safe sex and condom negotiation and perform community outreach to build community partnerships with Project VIIBES.  

"My AmeriCorps experience has provided me with an opportunity for substantial professional growth and has opened up the possibility for me to help make a positive impact on the communities I serve."

"It is so rewarding to be surrounded by public health professionals who truly value and believe in the work they do and it is inspirational to see the positive behavioral changes that occur as a result of my effort and the effort of my colleagues."

Educational Background: Binghamton University, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science/History)

Post AmeriCorps Plans: As a result of my AmeriCorps experience, I recently applied to Graduate School for Public Health. Depending on whether or not I’m accepted, I am also applying for AmeriCorps positions and careers in the field of public health upon completion of my service with the Southern Tier AIDS Program. Regardless of what I am doing, I always intend to help the community that I live in and work toward a healthier, happier and livelier nation.