Jeffrey Wise wanted to get involved in HIV outreach but had not decided how or where.

The 20-year-old, junior psychology major’s quest was over when a guest speaker from Bay Area Youth Positives gave a presentation in his Biology of AIDS.

Bay Area Youth Positives specializes in a young people helping young people approach to their outreach programs. They have many opportunities for young volunteers ages 18 to 26, and are more than happy to offer flexible hours to students looking to help.

“I realized that there are a lot of young people living with HIV in the city and have nowhere to go,” said Wise. “Given the age group of students, this is the one that can offer the most.”

The mission of BAY Positives is to help HIV-positive people ages 26 and under to live longer, happier, healthier, more productive, and quality-filled lives according to the mission statement on the organization’s Web site, which is easy to navigate through and offers detailed backgrounds of all the services provided.

Stephanie Tierney, 24, started volunteering at BAY Positives in January. She began volunteering because the organization catered to young people she can relate to.

“Every day here [at BAY Positives] is different. I never know what to expect, but I know it’s always going to come with humor and fun people,” she said.

BAY Positives offers linkage and referral services that focus on identifying and engaging youth whose behaviors put them at the greatest risk of becoming infected.

On Thursday evenings, volunteers and outreach coordinators head over to the Crib SF or The Café in the Castro to encourage young people to get tested and learn their status. They offer club-goers the safe sex kits, including three condoms, lubricant, and a flyer about how to correctly use a condom.

“We want people to come in if they know their status and get help, but our primary goal is always for people who don’t know their status to get tested,” said Logan Gutierrez-Mock, peer educator and “Director of Fabulousness” according to the Web site. “We know getting tested can be scary so we’re here to provide support.”

Staff members at BAY Positives accompany young people to get tested and help with transportation to and from appointments.

Support groups, one-on-one counseling, and things like cooking classes and resume help are designed for HIV-positive young to decrease any isolation or self-destructive behavior.

The agency’s office on the corner of Fillmore and Oak streets is welcoming, designed to put volunteers and young people at ease in a relaxed and creative environment. The paintings that adorn the brightly colored walls take center stage in the office that doubles as a day center for members.

“It’s a really good place for our members to just hang out,” Catherine Toyooka, program director and “Resident Sex-pert.” “We really try to respect their privacy and let them just be.”

Wise will begin volunteering at BAY Positives over the summer.

“I wanted to work somewhere that I would be able to actually make some sort of difference and help in some real way,” he said.

To learn more about how to become a volunteer with BAY Positives, visit www.baypositives.org.