Prevention Workshops
For Deb*, it was her husband’s drug use and promiscuity that led to her HIV infection. For James, it was “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll” and the glamour of the music industry. For Johnny, it was an abusive, alcoholic home life that led to his own drug use and eventual Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

For every risky behavior, there’s a story. Behind every story is a person who is using the life experiences that led to their infection as a way to serve others.

The Catalyst Foundation’s unique HIV and HCV prevention workshops rely on specially trained health educators who are either infected with HIV and/or HCV or have been personally affected by these illnesses. Their personal stories allow workshop participants to put a face on HIV and HCV, making it “real” to them. Response to these stories has been tremendous.

Workshops provide participants with basic, accurate information about the risks of sexual activity, drug use and needle sharing and focus on reducing risky behaviors. Workshops can be tailored for your business, church, club or classroom. Please contact our Prevention Coordinator at 661-948-8559 or via e-mail to prevention@thecatalyst-foundation.org to schedule a workshop.

*Some names have been changed to protect speakers’ privacy.

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The Life Challenge Program: Accepting the challenge to change
Since 1994, The Catalyst Foundation has conducted the Life Challenge Program, an innovative prevention, mentoring and youth employment program now serving 7,000 high-risk, incarcerated teens each year in five northern Los Angeles County probation camps.

Through the Life Challenge Program, health educators provide three-hour prevention workshops to classes of 12 – 20 teens at five different probation camps. Life Challenge staff also conducts a peer educator training program at one of the camps. During the program, Life Challenge staff members mentor students who learn how to present HIV prevention information to their peers.

The exceptional aspect of this program is that it is not just about prevention. Consistent, compassionate interaction with the Life Challenge staff helps these teens learn critically important lessons about personal responsibility.

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Targeted Outreach Program
Through a targeted outreach program, The Catalyst Foundation focuses on populations at high risk of HIV/HCV infection. The outreach staff provides education, and testing in the field for high-risk groups.