• WORKING TOGETHER
• TREATMENT
• PREVENTION

Many of those most at risk - and many people we serve - are uninsured and marginally informed about HIV. The simple fact is that strategic outreach - and access to needed services - can make a dramatic difference in preventing the spread of HIV.

 

Social and cultural factors can increase risk - and even lower someone's chance of getting effective treatment after they seek help. Common Ground is able to move through these barriers to prevent infections and to effectively help to those in need.

• Homeless Youth: HYPE (Homeless Youth Peer Education) reaches kids on the street and offers them a comfortable, peer-based drop-in environment. In addition to prevention education, we find them shelter and drug treatment and provide medical care, counseling, food and clothing, computer access and an address so they can connect with family and other support.
  
  HYPE drop-in hours, here at the agency, are Tuesdays 5:45 pm to 10:00 pm, Fridays 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturdays 11:45 am to 5:00 pm. [Download PDF]

 

• In-School Youth: Teen PEP (Peer Education Project) visits schools and trains teenagers to facilitate discussions of HIV prevention with other students. This peer-driven model is very effective in engaging teens and shaping their decision-making process.  [Download PDF]

 

• Needle Exchange:  By reaching out to injection drug users, we can dramatically reduce new HIV and Hepatitis C infections. Each contact helps Common Ground build a human connection to help drug users protect themselves – and others – and better their odds for accepting treatment. [Download PDF] (See times and locations)

 

• Women of Color:  The silence rooted in cultural histories and gender has fueled an HIV epidemic among Latin and African American women. This peer-facilitated, multi-session series of workshops opens a dialogue about sexual health and wellness – and gives voice to women of color as they learn new strategies for self and family care. [Download PDF]

 

• Prevention for Positives:  This innovative program provides workshops and counseling for people living with HIV to prevent new infections while increasing self-care. Topics include risk reduction, disclosure, accessing support, managing discrimination and rejection – and dating. [Download PDF]

All of these life-saving programs are provided at no cost and are made possible because people like you join the fight against HIV. We invite you to take a tour, sign up to be a volunteer– and if you haven’t already – please make a contribution to support this important work.

Join the Fight