Love´s Bridge/Zashita

HIV infection rates in the Perm region of Russia are double the average for the Russian Federation and more than half of the individuals living with HIV are under 30 years old. Love’s Bridge, in partnership with Zashita, give the most vulnerable young people in Perm the opportunity to fulfil their potential and become healthy and self-reliant adults.

With EMpower’s first grant, Love’s Bridge/Zashita will address the high risk young people face in Perm for dropping out of school, engaging in crime, and contracting HIV. Through partial support for their “School without Classes” program and related outreach, Zashita will offer a safe space, a network of peers, and individualized attention to help young people new to their program stay in and succeed in school, prepare for employment, and make a healthy transition to adulthood. With EMpower support, Zashita will begin an outreach program to prevent the spread of HIV and tuberculosis among young people in Perm.