11 results for month: 12/2014

Stories + Statistics = Success

Over the past month, I’ve shared with you the impact of harm reduction programs for active and former drug users. Statistics like how harm reduction programs such as ours have resulted in a staggering 75% drop in HIV infections among drug users. Personal stories like how Allen went from being an alcoholic living in shelters to a college student and peer educator. But, even with their immense impact, these stories and statistics come from just one of our programs. At Harlem United, we have dozens of programs to support every aspect of individual and community health. Housing. Testing. Counseling. LGBT support. Doctors. Dentists. Peer education. ...

What I learned on my trip to Coney Island

Last month, I rode out to Coney Island, in Brooklyn, with Isaac & Pedro, two staff in our Integrated Harm Reduction Program to see their work in action. Nestled right next to the iconic rides on Coney Island’s historic boardwalk is a neighborhood where injection drug use is common. Despite the wind and rain, we park our van and the team sets up shop. Over the course of the day, the team meets with clients who come for new, clean, sterile needles. We give them out for free because using clean needles lowers the risk of HIV and other blood-born infection transmissions. I learn that in cities with needle exchange programs, HIV infection rates ...

More Great News for Trans Health!

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced earlier this week new regulations to include transgender health care services under New York State’s Medicaid program. The proposed regulations provide treatment for hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.

Harlem United Names Jacqui Kilmer as New CEO

Harlem United announced today that its Board of Directors has named experienced attorney and non-profit executive Jacquelyn (Jacqui) Kilmer as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2015.

Try to not catch this smile

Allen came to Harlem United four years ago, living in shelters, out of work, struggling with substance abuse and depression. Today, he's a college student and a peer educator. Watch him tell his story.

Runner Spotlight: Adrian Aliberti

Every year, a group of people come together to raise money for Harlem United while running the New York City marathon. It's an inspiring mix: long-time runners mixed with first-time marathoners, Harlem United staff mixed with local community members mixed with supporters overseas. After this year's race, Adrian Aliberti, a Harlem United team member from Argentina, sent us this message about his experience running the marathon. I want to congratulate Harlem United for the HUGE and important social activity that you are doing. It was a real pleasure for me to run for such an important cause! Running the NYC marathon was an amazing experience: ...

Harlem United Supports 11 Days of Action

Harlem United stands with our ally, VOCAL NY, and  many other partners calling for accountability and justice for Eric Garner and all other victims of police brutality and violence.  We recognize that HIV prevention and community-based health are deeply interconnected with the safety and security of our communities. The organizers of  11 Days of Action are calling for day of action for each of Eric Garner’s cries, “I can’ breathe!”  The actions are taking place across the city, and started on December 10th and will end Saturday December 20th. One will take place on Thursday, December 18 at 6:30 pm, right here in Harlem starting from ...

NYC Makes Birth Certificate Gender Correction Easier

There's good news for New Yorkers this week! On December 8, the New York City Council voted to end the discriminatory policy requiring transgender people to undergo surgery before being issued a birth certificate with their corrected sex. The new legislation comes after Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of three transgender people who were refused an accurate birth certificate four years ago. Now, the process will be significantly easier.  The city will require only a statement from a licensed health care provider indicating that an individual’s true sex is not accurately recorded on their ...

This is how harm reduction works

249 people with a history of drug use—past or present—entered our six-month long Recovery Support Services program this year to make progress on their recovery goals. We use a harm reduction model to meet clients where they are and support them in making changes that help them to accomplishing their long-term goals. Many of our clients have tried and failed to completely stop using drugs in the past and come to Harlem United because they know we will support them throughout the process of their recovery, regardless of their end goal. And it works. 93 clients were referred to additional substance abuse support services (including detox, ...

Make an impact with us on #GivingTuesday

At its heart, Giving Tuesday is about making an impact. I’m proud that at Harlem United, we evaluate every program’s impact to make sure that we accomplish what we set out to accomplish. Today, I want to share more about one aspect of our work that makes us unique. By supporting current and former drug users in making healthy decisions for their lives, we choose to meet them where they are. We know not every drug user is ready to stop right away which is why we offer an Integrated Harm Reduction Program for active users and robust Recovery Support Services for those who are ready to stop using. There’s a human element that goes along with ...