Faith communities play an integral part in the CAC's response to the high cases and numbers of STIs in South LA. We stand in solidarity to stem the tide of this growing problem in our communities. A key part of our response is to come together in a Circle of Faith to educate, equip, empower and engage faith community leaders, youth, young adults and family members. 

2016 Circle of Faith Breakfast

Our first Circle of Faith event was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. Nearly 70 faith leaders convened over breakfast to discuss the faith community response to the STI problem in South LA, after listening to speeches from Mario Pérez, Director of the Division of HIV and STD Programs at LA County Department of Public Health, and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, California Assemblymember, 54th district. 

See more photos from this event. 

Read the press release from the 2016 Circle of Faith event. 

2017 Circle of Faith at Twilight

The second Circle of Faith event took place at the Nakaoka Community Center in Gardena. It was an evening of fellowship among faith leaders as they learned about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in South Los Angeles and the efforts of WeCanStopSTDsLA. District 2 Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas addressed the crowd of 88 pastors, faith leaders and staff with a strong message urging action on the fight against STIs. Following the Supervisor, other notable speakers included Dr. Barbara Ferrer Ph.D., MPH, MEd, Director of the LA County Department of Public Health, and Mario Pérez, Director of the LA County Division of HIV and STD Programs. In addition, Assembly Member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas addressed the attendees with an inspiring video that he recorded while in Sacramento.

See more photos from this event!

Get a refresher on sexually transmitted infections.

View STI information from the LA County Department of Public Health.

Click here for sexual and reproductive health fact sheets.

Faith Community Resources

First Ladies Health Initiative

Did you know that your youth are supposed to get comprehensive sex education in schools? Click the following links to learn more about sex education and the California Healthy Youth Act from the ACLU of Northern California:

Know Your Rights: Sex Education

California Healthy Youth Act: Frequently Asked Questions

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