Harlem United’s mission is to provide healthcare, housing, harm reduction, and supportive services to those most in need in New York City. Founded in 1988 to address the HIV epidemic, Harlem United has worked tirelessly to address the issues and concerns of underserved New Yorkers. We fight for our communities’ right to access these services equitably, without barriers of racism, stigma, or discrimination.
74% of our 30+ person Leadership Team, 42% of our Executive Team, and 67% of our Board are people of color (POC), with lived experience and personal understanding of our clients’ needs for trauma-informed, culturally affirmative care. This understanding supports our ability to serve our clients, 69% of whom identify as African American, 26% as Latino/a.
Harlem United’s social services span four programmatic areas (Health Services, Housing, Harm Reduction, and Supportive Services) to offer historically underserved people the following: medical, behavioral, dental, and specialty healthcare in our Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); permanent, transitional, and emergency shelter supportive housing models; infectious disease prevention and testing; substance use and harm reduction services; intensive case management and care coordination; linkage to benefits and entitlements; an AIDS Adult Day Health Center; food and nutrition services; vocational education; and more.
Each year, Harlem United provides dignified housing for more than 600 formerly homeless people, conducts almost 21,000 medical visits in its community health centers, and provides 18,000 grab-and-go meals and pantry supplies to low-income New Yorkers. Our clients, who are from Black and Brown communities, face extreme poverty, homelessness, multiple chronic conditions (such as HIV, serious mental illness, diabetes, and hypertension), while also grappling with systemic barriers to access, such as racism, discrimination, and stigma.
Harlem United operates with a total annual revenue of approximately $50 million and a staff of almost 300 employees. Our roots are planted in the community and together, we build a healthier future.