One of the most beneficial aspects of the program, according to several participants, is the segment on communication styles, which outlines aggressive, assertive and nonassertive communication. Once distinguishing the difference between the three styles of communication, the women were presented with various scenarios and instructed to roleplay ways to deal with them assertively.

For example, one scenario depicts college sweethearts who have been dating for four years. After volunteering at a community health fair and learning more about STDs and condoms, the young woman, who previously contracted an STD from her male partner, decides that she wants to begin using condoms when having sex. Using the assertive model, the young woman would express to her boyfriend her desire to use condoms and discuss how using them ensures that they both remain safe and healthy.

“Since SISTA, I constantly think about how I approach conversations,” states 21year-old Ashley Harris, a junior majoring in psychology at UIS. “It has really helped me communicate with my partner. I now express myself differently and it has really decreased the number of arguments,” says Harris, who is straightforward and speaks her mind. While Harris was participating in the SISTA Project, her boyfriend, Tashawn Webber, participated in the Urban League’s NIA program – an HIV intervention program for young black males.

While the communication segment has helped Harris in her relationship, she is adamant that all women can learn from it. “As females, we are often passive. We tend to let things slide by without addressing them because we don’t know how to approach certain topics or situations. SISTA really helps with that,” she said.

“One of the best things about the communication section was that we were provided with information that can be used in all aspects of life, such as on the job and when dealing with family and friends,” Williams said.

In March, the agency offered its first NIA workshop, which is similar to SISTA but geared towards young, heterosexual black men ages 18 and over. NIA, (the Swahili word for “purpose”) is based on the idea that men with a purpose can take control of their personal risk-taking behaviors and help solve the problem of HIV infection in the community.

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