Whew! It has been an exhausting couple of weeks getting my barrings on learning about Brotherhood, Inc., meeting everyone on staff, and settling into my daily responsibilities. Thus far, I have learned much about Brotherhood and their depth of importance to New Orleans. According to their website, the mission statement of Brotherhood is ” to develop and implement programs and services that impact the economic, social, and health disparities that exist within underserved and at-risk communities through education, enlightenment, and empowerment.” Focusing specifically on HIV (and other STIs) through testing and linkage to care, this organization chiefly responds to the needs of the under-served communities of New Orleans who are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, largely sexual and racial minorities.
For me specifically, I have been mostly helping the staff with intake responsibilities for walk-in HIV/STI testing clients: organizing intake folder materials (paperwork that counselors fill out as mandated by state/federal policies), answering basic questions for clients, and assisting in data input (according to those state/federal policies). I have also been creating and organizing health education information materials for the organization and making lots and lots of copies. Prior to a month ago, I had never touched a copy machine, and suffice to say I am now semi-proficient!
I found my internship site by browsing Tulane’s Center for Public Service list of community partners, found on their website. This list is an excellent spreadsheet of organizations that students have partnered with before, including contact information for the organization. It could not have been easier for me! After reaching out to the Director of Brotherhood, Inc., I went into the office for an interview in late February, and after meeting the entire staff, was welcomed on as a summer intern. It was a painless process for me (especially after facing a very brutal internship search the summer before). The Center for Public Service is also so incredibly available and helpful–before I reached out to organizations, I set up a meeting with one of the staff members. They are so eager to help you find a placement!
My first week was a whirlwind–I was constantly being introduced to different programs and interventions that the organization works in and with. The staff were all so excited to have me onboard, and would frequently tell me about opportunities throughout the summer for me to get more and more involved. That first week, I made over 300 intake folders (that’s what I was doing in the picture I attached to this post!).
This summer, I expect to learn a lot about the social determinants of HIV disease. Working with the community and within the community, I will see first-hand how social, cultural, economic, political factors influence disease acquisition and other risk factors. The staff are all so incredibly knowledgeable about the clients, the community, HIV, and state/federal procedures. I cannot wait to learn from these individuals!
-Kylie Yocum
