In May of 2006, the Trinity Development Corporation convened the District’s first “Clergy Leadership Summit on HIV/AIDS” for the purpose of engaging clergy and lay leaders in the establishment of a comprehensive, coordinated HIV/AIDS prevention effort that would be compatible with church environs and ministries. 

The theme of the Summit was “Love is Thicker Than Blood”.  As an outgrowth of the Summit, the Clergy Leadership Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse was established in 2007 with the same theme. In less than a year, the program expanded to include diabetes, obesity, and other health disparities. The program has now become the “Clergy Leadership Initiative for Healthy Communities”.

The Clergy Leadership InitiativeProject has three major components designed to reach District residents: (1) On-going education and prevention programs operated by local churches; (2) Citywide youth and clergy/lay leader conferences; and (3) Special Events to help eliminate health disparities (i.e. family-centered health fairs, seminars, youth summits, senior workshops discussion groups, etc.).  Currently, six churches are implementing on-going programs that provide science-based education, information and referrals for individuals, families and caretakers coping with and/or affected by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, obesity, and other health-related maladies. Each site provides a furnished, dedicated space that is conducive for extending hospitality, while conducting a program to promote health and prevent disease.  These spaces are called “Conversation Centers” and they are staffed with skillful site coordinators and volunteers.  Light refreshments are available, along with reading and audio visual materials focusing on education and prevention.  Each conversation center operates at least 30 hours per week and has an open-door atmosphere, where people come and feel comfortable in an embracing environment.