Get Involved With IWES!

Please read below to find out about the current programs, trainings, services and other opportunities we have available right now.

Adolescent Health

Training and Professional Development Opportunities

The Adolescent Health team at IWES is pleased to offer trainings for adult-learners who wish to increase knowledge and build skills to better support youth! All trainings are free of charge and can be facilitated both in person or virtually. Training topics include adolescent development, media and sexuality, teaching sex ed to students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and puberty and hygiene. We also offer more in-depth curriculum trainings as well as Foundations: Core Skills for Teaching Sex Ed. For a full list of our current offerings please click here to view our training catalog. To submit a training request or inquiry please fill out an interest form here. For additional information please contact Ryann Martinek.

HIV Testing and Prevention

Home-based Testing

The Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (IWES) provides FREE OraQuick In-Home HIV testing kits and counseling to any individual ages 18+ or community-based organizations in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany parishes. The HIV test is completed by an oral swab and results are available in 20 minutes. If you're ready to take the test, or if you want to know more information, email Meagan Dunham or if you’d like an in home test, follow this link here.

Media & Communications

#ThisisWhy Recruitment

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many of the structural inequities & societal biases in the US healthcare system that negatively impact African American health, such as gaps in treatment and care, lack of access, and lack of voice. To continue to raise awareness about these issues, in the summer of 2020 we created #ThisIsWhy, a campaign that explores both the systemic inequity that leads to disparities in African American health while also shining a bright light on organizations, businesses, groups, and individuals that celebrate and champion Blackness. Through first-person narratives, health resources and partner profiles, the campaign shares the realities of what it is like to enter into the healthcare system while Black, as well as the entities giving Black bodies everything they need to thrive. #ThisIsWhyWeDie explores the systemic inequity that leads to disparities in African American health. #ThisIsWhyWeThrive celebrates the organizations, individuals, businesses, and diverse cultural and resiliency factors that catalyze Black wellness.

If you would like to share your story of what it's like to enter the healthcare system while Black, or if you'd like to nominate someone to be a Thrive partner, email Iman Shervington.

MORE Project

Mentor and Coach Engagement

The MORE Project hosts training sessions intended for mentors or coaches of young men in middle or high school, to help mentees or athletes foster healthy relationships. Email Jakevia Wheeler to be added to our contact list for future training sessions.

Provider Trainings

The MORE Project hosts provider trainings to support professionals working in the helping and education fields. The project has offered trainings on topics such as HIV 101, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) 101, Trauma-Informed Care and Self-Care. Please email Jakevia Wheeler to be added to our listserv and notified when training sessions are held.