Actual Reality is a community-based, two session group intervention that provides young adults with the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves from HIV and other STDs. The curriculum uses straight talk, interactive activities such as games, role plays and discussions to convey prevention knowledge and life skills to make better choices.

Actual Reality targets young adults, ages 18-25 with real life situations and the impact complications one possesses when behaviors puts an individual in an “At Risk” category.

Core Elements and Key Messages of ReNEW

Implementation core elements:

• Core Element 1: Delivering intervention one-on-one with young adult in well-located community-based setting (such as CBO, church, recreation center, or school) or their home at a time and place that is convenient for them.
• Core Element 2: Use of a facilitator whom individual feel comfortable  and finds credible. The facilitator should be skilled at delivering messages effectively with a no nonsense and forward approach at the beginning of the session.

Pedagogy core elements:

• Core Element 3: Use of a documentary that shows the challenges and importance of having straight talk about about sex, abstinence, STDs, HIV and condoms and putting the student right into the shoes of an infected person.
• Core Element 4: Program will bring in speakers infected with HIV/AIDS to bring actual reality into the class room.

Content core elements:

• Core Element 5: Enabling participant to learn and practice communication skills and understanding consequences of behavior patterns.
• Core Element 6:  Teach participants proper condom use skills.
• Core Element 7: Distributing and guiding participants through a Resource Guide that includes the following topics:
  • Basic components of life skills. 
  • Importance of behavorial modification.
  • STD and HIV facts, including prevalence data among young Americans