Under the Pastorship of the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., our AIDS Ministry has flourished and reflects the deep committment of our Congregation to addressing HIV/AIDS both here locally and also globally.

We are actively committed to addressing through our local programs and services the seriousness reflected in the Alameda County State of Emergency on AIDS in the African American Community.

Our local efforts continue to be focused on education and prevention workshops and are targeting our messages to youth in particular.  Through our proposed partnership with the YMCA East Bay, we are seeking approval of our proposal to enhance the AIDS education component of the Future Choice Program in Oakland's middle schools and high schools.  We also participate in outreach and make HIV testing available through our Annual Health Faire held at Allen Temple Baptist Church in August each year.  We also make use of the AIDS educational theatre presentation of "Secrets" which explores the role of peer interaction and peer pressure on teens with respect to engaging in behaviors which will place them at risk of infection.   We also rally together our Congregation and our community in the Annual East Bay AIDS Walk (www.EastBayAIDSWalk.org) which raises local awareness and provides us an opportunity to directly raise funds to support our local work in our community.