| 260 South Broad St., 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102 p: (215) 985-6873 | f: (215) 985-6824 |
R.E.A.C.H (Recovery Empowerment And Community Health)
This program launched in March 2009 and is a collaboration between SafeGuards, Mazzoni Center, and ActionAIDS. REACH uses Peer Engagement Specialist to outreach in the LGBT community, talk about the stigma of substance abuse and mental health in our community, engage MSM in talking about their alcohol and drug use and possible dependency issues, and linkage to comprehensive screening services and behavioral health services provided by Mazzoni’s Open Door Program. For more information contact REACH@familyplanning.org, REACH@mazzonicenter.org, or REACH@actionaids.org.
Philly Queer Corps ™.
SafeGuards and the Educational Justice Coalition launched PQC in July 2009. Our new Youth Initiative has the moto: “Educating and Preparing LGBTQ Youth for a Healthy Future.” Components of this program include: Youth Mentoring & Educational Support Services, Youth Leadership and Advocacy Training, and Youth Led Community Advocacy Projects. Find out more by emailing us at: PhillyQCorps@gmail.com
Safer Sisters ™.
Washington West Project
1201 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 985-9206
Partners in the Washington West Project are committed to working in collaboration with each other to increase accessibility to health and wellness services for the LGBT communities. Washington West is dedicated to meeting the unique healthcare needs of the LGBT community through offering extended service hours, a walk-in storefront operation, and specialized programs, which reflect the diversity of our community. The four partners of the Washington West Project are:
The coalition partners established the Washington West Project in 1996 in order to make HIV prevention and care services more accessible to the LGBT communities and to enhance collaboration between service providers. The storefront property located at 1201 Locust Street which is shared and maintained by the coalition partners provides both accessibility and visibility. Over the ten years in this location, in response to identified needs within the LGBT communities, services at the Washington West Project have expanded to include screening for other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), vaccination for Hepatitis A and B, massage and acupuncture services, support groups, educational programs, and drop-in services specific for the transgender community.
There are a variety of services available at the Washington West Project, including free and confidential HIV and STD testing, Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, support groups, and free condoms. Call (215) 985-9206 for more information, or stop by the Washington West Project for a schedule of services (one is always posted on the front door).
Syphilis Elimination Project
In a response to the number of syphilis cases among men who have sex with men in Philadelphia, SafeGuards provides syphilis testing and also conducts Internet-based outreach. In conjunction with a number of other community based organizations, trained outreach workers answer questions and educate MSM online about safe sex, STDs and HIV, and schedule appointments for testing.
If you would like information on syphilis testing, please call our testing staff at (215) 985-6828. Please note that our testing staff works part time (nights and weekends), so your call may not be answered immediately. You may also schedule a testing appointment by emailing saferthebetter@yahoo.com If you need urgent attention, please call the Philadelphia Health Information Hotline at (215) 985-2437.
STD Testing
The SafeGuards Project conducts free and confidential STD testing through a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Health. We offer a urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhea as well as a blood test for syphilis. Testing is conducted off-site during outreach events and in our office by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call our testing staff at 215-985-6828. Please note that our testing staff works part time (nights and weekends), so your call may not be answered immediately. You may also schedule a testing appointment by emailing saferthebetter@yahoo.com. If you need urgent attention, please call the Health Information Hotline at (215) 985-2437.
Community Level Intervention
Safer the Better, our Community Level Intervention (CLI) began in July 2005 and involves the use of role model stories that show affirmative HIV prevention behavior within the men who have sex with men (MSM) community. All role model stories are based on interviews with real people within the target population. The goal of this CLI is to increase HIV testing and results acquisition, as well as changing the social norm around testing for HIV. In addition, the CLI will also work to increase condom use with main and non-main partners.
The SafeGuards Project currently has three role model stories in circulation: Carlos, Steve, and Richard. Role model stories are distributed during outreach events by HIV Prevention Workers.You can read these stories online here: My Story: Safer the Better and on our myspace page http://www.myspace.com/safeguards. For more information on our Community Level Intervention, contact the Program Coordinator at (215) 985-6874. You may schedule an HIV test appointment by emailing saferthebetter@yahoo.com.
Pos Pride
PosPride seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ people living with HIV/AIDS in the Philadelphia area. Activities include:
Care-2-Connect Social Network Project
The SafeGuards Project was recently funded to provide early intervention services, a program for linking newly identified HIV positive individuals to medical care and engaging them as they access the care system for the first time. The goals of the Care-2-Connect Social Network Program include not only increased HIV testing among the men who have sex with men (MSM) community, but also increased HIV testing among high risk social and peer networks.
R U Ready 2 B Smoke Free?
Health promotion messaging and outreach education on the impact of tobacco use on LGBTQ communities and the availability of smoking cessation classes. Individuals are referred to The Attic and Mazzoni Center for classes. Health promotion messaging and outreach education on the impact of tobacco use on LGBTQ communities and the availability of smoking cessation classes. Individuals are referred to The Attic and Mazzoni Center for the Fresh Out program (group meetings and other supports to quit smoking) .SafeGuards reaches over 3,600 LGBT individuals a year distributing “Smoke Free Philly” and “R U Ready 2 B Smoke Free” outreach materials.
SafeGuards is currently partnering with National Youth Adovocacy Coalition (NYAC) on their National LGBTQ Youth Tobacco Survey
Ending HIV: The Cause of a Generation
is a new program of SafeGuards that seeks to educate our communities about the importance of HIV Vaccine Research. Our partner is the University of Pennsylvania, HIV Vaccine Trials Unit. Check out our Myspace page. www.myspace.com/safeguards_hiv_vaccine. Find out more about HIV Vaccine Research at the Be The Generation website.
LGBT Health Advocacy
SafeGuards is a member of the National Coalition for LGBT Health and is part of the International Rectal Microbicides Advocates.
Locally, SafeGuards participates in the PA Campaign for Microbicides, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Crystal Meth Taskforce, the Philadelphia LGBT Behavioral Health Workgroup, the Syphillis Elimination Project, and is a founding member of the Washington West Project.
LGBT Health Competency Training
SafeGuards provides LGBT cultural competency curriculum to health and social service professionals upon request. Training sessions teach participants about LGBT populations, as well as their unique needs and barriers to high-quality care. Sessions also give participant’s suggestions for how to make their practices more culturally competent, and provide information about important referrals for LGBT populations. To date a version of this training course has been delivered to approximately 20 program administrators, 150 medical students, and 220 health care and social work professionals.
Recent Training Programs:
“Engagement and Support of LGBT Youth and Families”
“Sensitive, Respectful, and Inclusive Engagement: Transgender Health Competency Training”
“LGBTQ Health Disparities and the Need for Community Advocacy”
LGBT Health Research
SafeGuards conducts research on LGBT Health Disparities. Our current projects include conducting a community needs assessment for behavioral health services, a study of gay men’s coping and identity issues with HIV, and LGBT caregiver research.