Finding the power within. Success through courage, learning, and empowerment. By Tom Holler, MA, LPC, NCC

Leslie Henderson learned he was HIV-positive in 2007. His first reaction was that he’d need to find a way to deal with it. Unlike too many others in his situation, he chose not to give in to denial, fear, and despair.

“This was something I caused myself. Nobody held a gun to my head,” he said. For him, HIV infection was “just another hurdle.” He was scared, but knew he could handle it. One of the things that helped him was the POWER program.

The POWER Program—Positive Outcomes for Wellness, Education, and Recovery—offered by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) in partnership with Heartland Alliance, offers a variety of services to men who are HIV-positive and have substance abuse issues, or who are at risk for HIV and substance abuse problems.

The keystone of the POWER program is an intervention called the Holistic Health Recovery Program (HHRP), which takes place in 12 sessions and covers a variety of issues for participants, helping them learn to live healthier, happier lives. Various topics include educating partners in safer sex practices, harm reduction for injection drug users, recovering from substance abuse, nutrition, and obtaining medical care.

More than 400 participants have been served since POWER’s inception in 2008, and many of them credit their ability to achieve stable housing, employment, and a healthier lifestyle to their participation.

Leslie is just one of many POWER success stories. He’s a fifty-something African American living on the north side of Chicago. Prior to his diagnosis, Leslie was steadily employed a with law firm, several banks, and a large shipping company.

Upon receiving his diagnosis, Leslie quit his job and temporarily moved in with his brother’s family. While they welcomed him with open arms, Leslie missed the independence of living on his own. After applying for Social Security benefits, he moved in with some friends, and soon gained the confidence to return to an independent lifestyle. Leslie attended the Next Step program at Heartland Alliance, where he received the necessary assistance to find a place of his own. It was also through the Next Step program that he found his way to POWER.

“I wanted to educate myself about HIV and find a way to live independently,” says Leslie. “While I was never a heavy substance user, there was alcoholism in my family and I wanted to keep protecting myself from those kinds of problems. POWER helped me to do that. The POWER staff is very knowledgeable. I know they have a ‘script’ to follow, yet each counselor finds ways to personalize the information, to make sure everyone in the group knows what they need to know. It is a very welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere and the staff works very hard to make everyone comfortable.

“POWER taught me how to defeat HIV and live everyday life. It also helped me to learn how to express my opinions, and I now have more power to reach out, to protect myself and others. As a gay black male, I believe that POWER has given me the tools to educate my partners about HIV and still have great sex. I would encourage any man who is at risk for HIV and substance abuse problems to come to the POWER groups,” he says.

Since graduating from POWER in 2009, he spends much of his time volunteering and advocating in the HIV community to get the word out about living with HIV, especially among African American gay men who are under-educated about HIV and substance abuse. As Leslie says, “If you need help, get help! It only takes one unprotected sex act or one shared needle to become infected.” He is also getting ready to reclaim his spot in the work force.

The POWER program is open to Chicago area men who are at risk for or already diagnosed with HIV and substance abuse disorders. For details, call 773-878-POWR (773-878-7697).

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