25 Years / 25 Stories

20: No Longer Alone

In 1988, Minnesota AIDS Project staffer Gerry Tyrrell just wanted to make life a bit brighter for those diagnosed with HIV. He was working at the organization during the early days of the epidemic, a time when such a diagnosis was often a death sentence.

He started soliciting donations of free or discounted tickets to theater and sporting events and providing those to HIV–positive people. For many clients who were ill, these brief respites from the ravages of the disease were cherished events. The efforts were named the Life Enhancement Program, an initiative that would blossom and change over the years to become what is today known as Positive Link, a program that aims to build community among HIV–positive gay and bi men.

Positive Link employs an 'empowerment model', aiming to get community members directly involved in prevention and in care for themselves and each other.

As the years passed and HIV drugs improved allowing people with HIV to live longer and healthier lives, the Life Enhancement's mission evolved. By 2000, the program name changed to Prism, and it began expanding from simply sending members to the theater to attempting to create a sense of belonging and build relationships between people in the positive community. The program began hosting "chats," sessions where anyone who was interested could gather to discuss various topics. A decision was made to create programming that would focus on community–building within the gay and bisexual community of those living with HIV. The organization hopes to create similar efforts that will build strong social networks within other demographic communities living with HIV.

Steve Wolfgram, who now is a staff member for the program, first attended a chat at the beginning of 2002. In the spring of that year, the program changed names again, this time adopting its current Positive Link moniker.

"Positive Link employs an 'empowerment model', aiming to get community members directly involved in prevention and in care for themselves and each other", Wolfgram said.

Positive Link is currently finishing creating a curriculum to teach program members how to engage in counseling sessions themselves.

"Studies show that people with a strong support network make better decisions about their health," he said, explaining the philosophy that drives Positive Link.

In addition to the social activities, Positive Link also hosts educational events with speakers and engages in peer counseling for newly the diagnosed. Wolfgram and fellow staff member Nick Schrott are currently finishing creating a curriculum to teach program members how to engage in counseling sessions themselves.

They are trying to push the program to be ever more member–driven and owned. A core group of volunteers meets every other month to discuss ideas and plan programs, and Schrott said that group's ideas have largely shaped what Positive Link looks like today.

It is a program that has certainly grown dramatically over the years. Schrott said he is excited the group now encompasses members of all ages, compared to a few years ago, when most participants were over forty. And more and more people in general are attending events, like the monthly BYOB (Buy Your Own Brunch), which over 30 people attended in September, compared to only seven attendees at the first meal a year and a half ago. But there is still room for growth.

"I would love to start seeing it not only grow but become more racially diverse as well," he said.

No matter the numbers, what is the most important thing Nick and Steve want people to know about Positive Link? That no one has to go through a HIV–positive diagnosis alone.

"We're here, and we're here for you," they said. "We want to always be available."

25 Years / 25 Stories

20: No Longer Alone

25 STORIES