Faith Based Initiative
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The Outreach Enhancement: Faith-Based Organizations Program is a collaboration between Black Health, Inc. and faith-based organizations. The program has created a connected series of highly effective HIV prevention services that target neighborhood hot spots where HIV infections are most heavily concentrated, as defined by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH).
The Outreach Enhancement program has four components, all with the goal of increasing awareness and access to HIV/AIDS education and testing, Hepatitis C (Hep C) and STI screenings, PrEP referrals, and linkage to treatment and care they need in New York City. The program accomplishes these goals through collaboration with faith-based organizations especially in providing technical assistance and capacity building.
Ambassador Leadership Initiative
The Ambassador Leadership Initiative is designed to build the capacity of Faith-Based Organization partners to become spokespersons and leaders in their communities on issues related to HIV/AIDS, Hep C, and other health disparities that impact the Black community; and to share the successes and challenges that are still present in the fight to end these epidemics. Through these efforts, our partners will further educate the broader community to increase awareness and knowledge of HIV transmission, treatment, and prevention, including medical treatments such as PrEP and PEP.
Youth Initiative Program
The Youth Initiative is a program that seeks to increase awareness and knowledge around health inequalities among the youth population. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been increasing among youth between ages 13 – 19. The goal of the YIP is to reduce youth risk for getting STIs or HIV by providing health information, including safer sex norms and practices.
Community Awareness Initiative
The Community Awareness Initiative is the transitional phase of the program where the FBO is expected to graduate from the program with skills attained that will help them continue their own prevention work efforts. The main goal is to work lessening health inequalities and move towards health equity in their communities. We will provided faith leaders with the all the necessary skills to organize and conduct workshop trainings that address awareness on HIV prevention, PrEP education, and other issues contributing to health inequity.
Legacy Initiative
The Legacy Initiative allows graduated and senior program partners with demonstrated experience in community mobilization, advocacy, and policy to serve as Mentors to a select number of assigned Outreach Enhancement participants. In addition to mentoring, they are strengthening grassroots HIV prevention, education and awareness, promoting health equity, encouraging community mobilization, and participating in civic engagement with a broad spectrum of community, civic, public and private sector members.
For more information, please contact our Senior Coordinator, Evelyn Botwe, MPH, ebotwe@nblch.org.
Recent Faith-Based Initiatives Resources:
HIV Outreach Enhancement (November 2020)
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