Message from the Program Coordinator, Ahmed Chaudhry:
โWhile the field of HIV prevention has made major gains recently, the disease still disproportionately affects the LGBTQ community, and specifically lower-income minorities. In the global fight to eradicate HIV, the PRCC is proud to announce the initiation of the Latino Youth Action for Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Project (L-Act). Our goal is to empower young gay, trans- and bisexual Latino men with the tools to not only prevent HIV transmission, but also become leaders in this cause amongst their peers.โ
The L-Act Prevention Project is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and will focus on Latino men ages 13-24 with an emphasis on gay, trans- and bisexual individuals, and those with co-occurring substance abuse or mental health disorders living with or at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Starting in January 2016, we will begin providing:
Community outreach focused on the south and west sides of Chicago
HIV and Hepatitis C testing
RESPECT Counseling
Many Men, Many Voices (youth group sessions)
Mpowerment (Generation L) program.
These evidence-based interventions all seek to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors and prevent new sexually transmitted infections. The biggest hurdle in the fight to end HIV/AIDS in the U.S. remains identifying undiagnosed HIV positive individuals. The act of getting tested not only allows those who are positive to be linked to care in a timely manner, but also arms people with knowledge of their status and an overall increase in their awareness of how to prevent transmission.
For more information visit us at 2736 W Division St. or call 773-698-2736