LOCAL CONCERNED BLACK MEN CHAPTER WINS FIRST GRANT FUNDS

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD (January, 2000) The Executive Body of the Concerned Black Men (CBM) of Calvert County is proud to announce that the organization is the recent recipient of a portion of the Southern Maryland Minority Youth HIV Education and Outreach Program grant, administered through the Charles County Health Department.

The funding will be used to heighten 12 to 19 year- olds’ awareness of high-risk behaviors that lead to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV in their age group. A minimum of 200 students will learn STDs and HIV prevention skills through CBM-Calvert sponsored programs.

"We are very pleased that the granting agency has seen fit to support our program," said Calvert CBM President Nate Pope. "To us, winning this funding is a welcome sign that the greater community recognizes and has confidence in the type of work CBM and its membership does. That is a trust this organization takes very seriously, will not betray or take for granted."

Under the grant agreement, CBM will identify and train peer educators who will assist professionals during program sessions. Topics covered during the sessions will include: dating and relationships, peer pressure, sex and drugs, decision-making, perceptions of HIV and AIDS, cultural and sexual identity, resources, intervention, communication and negotiation skills.

The Concerned Black Men (CBM) of Calvert County, part of an international, non-profit organization, came into existence nearly five years ago following discussions held by African-American men in the county. The chapter’s mission, in part, is to provide a holistic approach to services that support and strengthen the African-American family. Youth are a primary focus of CBM’s mentoring and other outreach programs.