This article discusses the problem of AIDS in relation to adolescents in light of the fact that this is a significant concern for this age group especially in minority populations. There is a scarcity of knowledge of the cultural context of sexual behaviour in this age group and the influences that lead to early initiation of sex and unsafe sex. Few efforts targeting young adolescents have been community based although research has shown a need for an increase in such intervention programmes. Four key processes have been defined in gaining community participation in health education programmes a) defining the community and reaching it; b) recognizing tensions among service, research and community participation; c) involving community residents; and d) considering cultural differences in a community. These processes are used to describe the "Focus on Kids" project, an HIV intervention that resulted in significant increases in condom use demonstrated by a randomised controlled trial.