Teens with a Purpose (TWP) began 10 years ago as part of an HIV/AIDS Ministry of The Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk under the leadership of Deirdre Love - who continues to lead them.
The group has since partnered with AIDS Care Center for Education & Support Services, a local AIDS Service Organization, in order to expand its impact throughout the region. Starting in January 2008, ACCESS AIDS Care secured funding from the Virginia Department of Health to implement this community wide initiative over the next 4 years.
This group is now called TWP-The Movement (the movement was added to reflect their upward mobility) and has expanded to include trained peer advocates outside of St. Mary's HIV/AIDS Ministry. They now strive to reach more youth throughout the Hampton Roads area and beyond.
The group is made of teens and young adults spreading the message of prevention, pride, protection and upward mobility throughout the community to their peers with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS, STD prevention and education.
They encourage abstinence, focus on core values, provide a nonjudgmental safe environment for self expression and enhance skills to help youth make healthy life choices for mind, body and spirit!
