19 results for author: Jacqui Kilmer

It’s Spring! We’re taking healthcare to the streets

Spring is in the air and we are out in the streets full force, meeting people where they are — literally and metaphorically — to make sure nothing stands in the way of a full and healthy life. Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to in the past week. HARLEM UNITED PRESENTS AT IRIS HOUSE On Monday, May 7th, two of our staff and two of our peer educators presented at the 13th Annual Iris House Women as the Face of AIDS Summit. We’re so proud of the work that Yonce and Ray, two peer educators, have been doing over the past year to educate their fellow clients and work with lawmakers and health providers to make sure healthcare is more ...

President Trump’s action on transgender military service weakens America

The United States of America is made stronger when all its residents are able to live fully as themselves. President Trump's announcement today that the United States military will not “accept or allow” transgender service members weakens our national security and insults the dignity of transgender Americans—including the thousands currently serving in our armed forces. For nearly 30 years, Harlem United has been providing hope, health, and healing to our communities in Harlem and beyond—communities that include transgender New Yorkers, veterans, and transgender veterans. We are proud to serve them all, we are thankful for their ...

Why New York State Must Invest In Supportive Housing

On February 17, I testified at a public hearing in Albany on the importance of supportive housing. We won’t be able to end the homeless crisis facing New York State, particularly for people living with chronic conditions like HIV and AIDS and mental health and addiction issues, without it. Harlem United is a nationally recognized leader in proving that supportive housing is the permanent solution for homelessness and other housing instability. Throughout New York State, there are over 75,000 men, women and children staying in shelters at any given time, and an estimated 11,000 more are unsheltered or in transitional housing/Safe Haven programs. ...

Gov. Cuomo’s $2 billion for supportive housing is critical

With over 20 years of experience in providing supportive housing to the most disenfranchised citizens of New York, Harlem United knows that supportive housing is a critical foundation for ensuring hope, health, and healing. We are extremely grateful to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for directing the release of $2 billion over the next five years to provide critical infrastructure and support needed to address homelessness in New York state. We urge the state legislature to act quickly and approve this memorandum of understanding. From the Governor's office: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed Robert Mujica, Director of the New York State ...

We are a proud and strong community: Pride 2016

On Sunday we marched—no we danced—down 5th Avenue celebrating our Pride. Almost 100 of our clients, staff, and friends, including the Starbucks Pride Alliance, celebrated together… and remembered together. It is important to remember that our LGBT rights are challenged every day and that our lives may be taken when we least expect it, but we also continue to be out and proud and celebrate all that we have achieved. This video highlights the fun and incredible energy we had yesterday. Marching in Pride is a favorite activity for many of our clients, who look forward to it every year as an opportunity to celebrate all that they have ...

How we came together as a community for a cause

More than 400 people ran, walked, skipped, and jogged around Marcus Garvey Park this past Sunday at the second annual Harlem One Miler! Our fastest runner finished in a blazing 4 minutes and 28 seconds. And our fastest female finished the course in just under 5 minutes and 26 seconds. No less impressive were the more than 200 of you who walked and jogged around the course as a family! We were honored to have Ida Keeling, who at 101 years old, set a 100 yard dash record earlier this year, lead our pre-walk stretch. In fact, it was more like a dance party, and she got everyone in the mood. We raised $13,000 to provide meals to our ...

Do you want to do AIDS Walk with us?

Fundraise, volunteer, or just participate in the AIDS Walk New York taking place on Sunday, May 15, 2016 in Central Park. The Walk benefits HIV/AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area including Harlem United. Join more than 30,000 people fighting to end AIDS. Join Team Harlem United and help our community! Get your walking shoes on, and become part of this important event. Last year, with all of your support, we raised $6,656. This year, we’re getting involved even earlier so we know we can beat this amount, and we need your help to make it happen! You don’t have to fundraise to participate, but it is a great way to help raise ...

Joseph & Andre want to show you our new health center

We opened the doors to The Nest, our new community health center in Harlem and on opening day, we saw more than 70 patients — many of whom hadn’t been to a doctor in years. Joseph & Andre will show you around!

“People come here rock bottom” — find out why they stay

Last week we held our annual Thanksgiving Litany at the Baptist House of Prayer of Harlem. Every year we invite our clients and staff to come and reflect on their year, to share their successes and their losses, and to spend time with each other in a joyful environment. The overwhelming theme of the stories our clients tell is that without Harlem United they would not be where they are…and they have come so far! One client said, "People come here rock bottom and I stayed because Harlem United works" After the nondenominational service, everyone was invited for a Thanksgiving lunch served by Harlem United's leadership.  This was a ...

Honoring our co-founder Father John McNeill

We lost a great one. Father John McNeill, S.J. was an openly gay moral theologian, psychotherapist and Jesuit priest, who helped to found the Upper Room AIDS Ministry—which later became Harlem United. At the height of the AIDS epidemic in New York City, many agencies were turning away those who needed care the most. That just wouldn’t do for Fr. McNeil and the others who founded the Upper Room AIDS Ministry. They believed that we are in this together and set out to offer hope, health, and healing to Harlem and beyond. Fr. John McNeill passed away late last month at the age of 90 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We celebrate his life and legacy—...