Risk reduction counseling: Trained counselors are available to work one-to-one with young men on treatment plans that build on youths’ assets and reduce their risk for HIV/AIDS and other health problems. All clients receive thorough intake and assessment processes. Counselors will also link young people with other needed services in the community, including HIV Counseling and Testing.
Young Men’s Creative Arts Group: This weekly group provides a safe place for young gay and bisexual men to help each other with common problems, build positive relationships with each other, and learn how to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Groups utilize the creative arts to engage young men in discussion and encourage self-expression.
The Young Men’s Program offers specialized HIV
prevention services for young gay and bisexual men in five communities:
Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale, and Westbury. Services address
the spread of HIV among young men, supporting healthier lifestyle choices
and fostering peer support.
School-based prevention services: Young Men’s Program staff provide individual and group counseling at Hempstead High School and Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School. Staff are available to meet one-to-one with students via each school’s Student Support Center.
Peer education: Each year, the Young Men’s Program trains LGBT teenagers to educate their peers about HIV/AIDS and other important health concerns. Peer educators perform Educational Theater at the Coffeehouse each month. They produce a quarterly youth ‘zine entitled Queer Beans that provides LGBT-specific health information and a forum for youth to express their opinions and have creative writing published. Peer educators receive hourly wages and attend weekly meetings.