Community Partner: STAR TRACK Intern: Victoria Chen Site Supervisor: Kate Bishop
What is STAR TRACK? The STAR TRACK Program ' s mission is to provide leadership in Maryland on adolescent HIV health issues by: ‐ Providing comprehensive, interdisciplinary, individualized, and confidential health care to HIV infected and at risk adolescents and young adults ‐ Providing youth‐friendly health education, prevention, and early identification services to HIV infected and at risk adolescents, young adults, and their communities
Interning at STAR TRACK this summer has easily been the most eye‐opening experience of my life. Not only was this my first time working for a nonprofit organization, but it was also my first time extensively interacting with the local Baltimore community. I knew that this particular site placement would pose a host of challenges for me, and I still remember voicing all of my concerns and hesitations to Abby before the start of these 8 weeks. To no one ' s surprise, I was continuously shocked and challenged into stepping far outside of my comfort zone to work in this youth‐savy, sex positive, LGBTQ‐focused environment. I soon realized that every day at STAR TRACK is a learning experience filled with wonderfully insightful experiences and its accompanying frustrations. From studying the ball culture to befriending people living with HIV, I discovered that the most important lessons were learned not through my work, but through casual conversations with my coworkers and community members. Not only have I become a more culturally competent person because of STAR TRACK, but I have also made meaningful friendships within the LGBTQ community that will far outlast my internship. ‐Victoria
Tasks:
• Conduc HIV, and CTR clin and hea
• Actively Marylan Health P Adminis meeting at impro for the L
• Assisted the You Pride 20