My name is Sylvia Young; I am a Native American woman living with HIV/AIDS for 15 years. When I first came to WORLD, the feelings of fear and sadness were all over my face. But then in 2003 I applied for a peer advocate position, and have been working here ever since. My position now is program manager of the peer advocate program. Working at WORLD has grounded me and enabled me to self-disclose and heal in living with this insidious disease.

My husband and I have been married for 12 years. And between the both of us we have 5 daughters and one son, and 6 grandchildren. My family empowers me to do the work I do. I feel that I have to give back what was given to me when I first walked through the doors of WORLD. And I do the work with compassion, empowerment and love so that other HIV+ women can one day feel confident and self-assured in all they do in everyday life. 510-986-0340 x311