46
new HIV diagnoses among Arkansans ages 15 to 24 in 2022, or 11.1 per 100,000. Another 212 Arkansans in this age group were living with HIV, or 51.1 per 100,000.
Arkansas Department of Health, 2022 HIV Surveillance Report
World AIDS Day • December 1, 2026
Teen Summit:
The Pinky Promise
Healthy relationships start with a promise to yourself.
A joyful, practical day for high school students to strengthen communication, boundaries, mental wellness, and decision-making. Students close the day with a shared Pinky Promise commitment.
Tuesday, December 110:00 AM to 2:00 PMDonaghey Student Center, UALR
Arkansas Minority
Health Commission
Health Commission
Funded in part by an Arkansas Minority Health Commission Mini-Grant.
Hosted by VPH Training Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN 93-1701910.
WHY NOW
World AIDS Day, With Hope At The Center.
World AIDS Day creates space for honest conversations. The Pinky Promise leads with healthy relationships, not fear. Students practice how to communicate, set boundaries, care for their mental health, and make informed choices before patterns are set.
The experience blends Relationship Smarts PLUS 5.1 from The Dibble Institute, Mind Matters 2.0, and Money Habitudes for Teens. Optional, confidential health screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI.
WHO IT’S FOR
Built For The High School Years.
The summit welcomes high school students from every kind of school across Central Arkansas: public, private, charter, and homeschool. Healthy relationship skills matter in every year of high school, not just the first one. Arkansas’s own Dating Violence Awareness mandate applies to grades 7 through 12, and the Health and Safety standards this curriculum maps to cover grades 9 through 12.
Relationship Skills
Communication, consent, boundaries, and respect.
Mind Matters
Tools for stress, resilience, and mental wellness.
Money Habitudes
A clearer look at choices, values, and financial habits.
STANDARDS ALIGNED
Mapped To Arkansas Learning Standards.
Every summit session maps to the Arkansas Department of Education Health and Safety Standards for grades 9 through 12. Arkansas law (A.C.A. § 6-16-1004) also requires Dating Violence Awareness instruction at this grade band, and the summit covers it directly. The curriculum is additionally mapped by The Dibble Institute to the National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Standard 13 (Interpersonal Relationships).
Healthy Skills and Relationships
Students analyze behaviors and attitudes that contribute to healthy relationships, identify healthy sexual behavior, and describe the signs of dating violence and abuse. Covered in Sessions 1 and 2.
Human Growth and Development
Students discuss physical and emotional changes during adolescence and examine available health resources. Covered in Session 3 and the health screening stations.
Disease Prevention and Control
Students compare methods of disease transmission and prevention, including STDs and other communicable diseases. Covered in Session 3 and the screening rotation.
Mental and Emotional Health
Students recognize how mental health contributes to overall health and practice skills that promote it. Covered in Session 4.
Personal Health and Safety
Students identify behaviors associated with abuse and the resources for avoiding and reporting them. Covered in Session 2.
Learning Continues At Home
Each student keeps the full Relationship Smarts PLUS 5.1 workbook and a Pinky Promise Passport, so lessons not covered live continue with family support.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Healthy Relationships Are Prevention.
19%
People ages 13 to 24 account for about 1 in 5 new U.S. HIV diagnoses.
NIH HIVinfo, citing CDC, 2022
51%
The South accounts for 51% of all new U.S. HIV diagnoses despite holding about a third of the population.
CDC, 2026 update
THE PINKY PROMISE
One Promise, Said Together.
At the closing Commitment Ceremony, every student stands and recites this pledge together, then signs their name inside their Pinky Promise Passport. It is the moment the whole day builds toward.
I am committed to igniting hope, inspiring possibilities, and instilling confidence for a promising future.
I believe in the power of dreams and the strength of community.
I will honor healthy relationships through how I speak, how I listen, and how I love.
Whether big or small, I promise to make a difference in shaping a world where hope shines brightly, possibilities are endless, and confidence leads the way.
Today and every day, I make this Pinky Promise.
Pinky Promise.
Ignite Hope. Inspire Possibilities. Instill Confidence.
TEEN REGISTRATION PORTAL
Save Their Spot.
The summit is free for participating students. We only ask for information needed for event logistics and safety.
What we do with this information.
We collect the student's name, school, grade, and shirt size, parent or guardian contact details, an emergency contact, and optional allergy or medical notes. We use this information to run the event safely, communicate with your family, and meet required grant reporting. Only Village Public Health staff can see it, and we never sell it. Registration information is kept only as long as needed for the event and its required grant reporting.
FOR SCHOOLS
Bring A Group.
Counselors, teachers, and school staff can register a group of high school students at once. Your group's seats are reserved right away and count toward the 100-student total. Our team will follow up to collect each student's guardian consent, shirt size, and STI prevention education sign off before the event.
SPONSOR THE PROMISE
Help 100 Students Show Up Ready.
Fund a complete student experience, or choose one need that makes the day possible.
Beacon Sponsor
$2,500+
Premier recognition, event signage, stage acknowledgment, resource fair placement, and post-event impact update.
Streetlight Sponsor
$1,000 to $2,499
Featured recognition, event signage, resource fair placement, and post-event impact update.
Porch Light Sponsor
$500 to $999
Event recognition, resource fair placement, and post-event impact update.
Community Supporter
$250 to $499
Community supporter recognition and post-event impact update.
In-Kind Partner
Goods or services
Recognition matched to the value and role of the contribution.
Sponsor A Specific Need.
Tax deductible. Hosted by VPH Training Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 93-1701910. Pay online by card or request an invoice.
Optional
VENDOR & RESOURCE FAIR
Bring Something Useful To The Table.
We are looking for partners offering health education, mental and behavioral health resources, financial literacy for youth, free or income-based clinic access, and youth development, mentorship, or college and career readiness programming.
Vendor table fee: $100
Optional
VOLUNTEER AT THE SUMMIT
Help The Day Run Smooth.
We need volunteers for setup and welcome, registration and check-in, session and health screening support, and breakdown and send-off on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at the Donaghey Student Center, UALR. No clinical duties, just a willingness to show up for students.
Questions, Answered.
Igniting CommUnity.
Let’s Make The Promise Together.
Dr. Quinyatta Mumford • quinyatta@villagepublichealth.org • 501-229-9220