In this episode Steph, Naomi and Andy debunk a few of the myths about sexually transmitted diseases or STD’s. You don’t want to miss this one!
Subscribe for more episodes or listen to each one on Spotify, iTunes and other platforms!
Posts Tagged ‘prevention’
New Podcast Episode: STDs…the Truth Is Out There!
Wednesday, February 12th, 2020PrEP, PEP and Hep A: Podcast Episode
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020In this episode of our new podcast, we discuss what PrEP & PEP are and how they both work. Plus learn about the rise of Hep A here in the Hudson Valley and how to protect yourself against a range of harmful sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
You can also listen to more episodes on Spotify, iTunes and other podcast platforms–subscribe today!
HVCS’ New Podcast: Peer Health Alliance talks about S…E…X!
Friday, January 31st, 2020We are pleased to announce that the Peer Health Alliance has a new podcast all about safer sex, hooking up, and all sorts of fun topics.
“Parents Just Don’t Understand”…that’s why talking about sexual health with a PHA peer is so important. In this episode we talk about HVCS’ Peer Health Alliance or PHA program and what a “peer” is. Learn why it is important to get your difficult sexual health questions answered by someone like you, that gets you and has the training and resources to you need. There are some conversations you don’t want to have with even the coolest of moms!
Find more episodes here or listen on Spotify! and iTunes (other podcast platforms coming soon).
Saving A Life in the Mid-Hudson
Friday, August 9th, 2019
HVCS employees improve lives each and every day, and may of us feel we are saving lives by encouraging clients to make one healthier decision at a time. Yesterday, members of our team literally saved a life–with one bold decision.
Early in the afternoon, staff in one of our Mid-Hudson offices were notified that someone was unconscious in the parking lot. Jennifer (Director of Education & Prevention), Cameron (PRO Program Supervisor) , and Heather (SEP Prevention Specialist) rushed to assess the situation. An employee from another agency in the building had brought down a Narcan kit but didn’t know if the unconscious individual needed it. Heather quickly checked the person for responsiveness by performing a sternum rub. Since there was no response, Heather administered Narcan. After one dose, the individual started to respond. Police and EMTs arrived and took the person to the hospital.
Heather, thank you for your quick thinking and action. You truly shined, and you’ve made all of us at HVCS very proud. And thanks to Cameron and Jennifer for your support and depth of knowledge too!
HVCS Represents at O+ Festival in Poughkeepsie
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019
Hudson Valley Community Services’ Bob (representing our Medical Benefits program) and Jovanny (from our Men’s Services HIV prevention program) tabled at the O+ Festival on Saturday, August 3rd in downtown Poughkeepsie. O+ empowers communities to take control of their collective wellbeing through the exchange of art, music, and wellness.
Underinsured artists and musicians create and perform in exchange for a variety of services donated by doctors, dentists and complementary care providers. O+ (pronounced O Positive) calls this exchange the art of medicine for the medicine of art.
HVCS was there to connect with those who might need one of our many services.
Hudson Valley Gives Day Is Coming Up!
Thursday, April 25th, 2019
Hudson Valley Gives, a local day of online philanthropy, is coming up on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, and it’s your chance to connect with a non-profit providing services in your own backyard. Donate at HVCS’ special page on HVGives.org and we’ll potentially unlock some great incentives, matching funds and set new local donation records!
If you make a $25 donation, you supply a client and their family with food for three days.
Make a $35 donation, and you put socks on the feet of 18 homeless clients.
Make a $50 donation and you help three low-income people know their HIV status by covering the cost of HIV testing.
With a $75 donation, you help us provide Narcan kits, life-saving overdose reversal medication, to those at high risk for overdose (and/or their family members and friends).
Mark your calendar and get ready to donate on May 15th–and join thousands of others in making the Hudson Valley an even better place to live healthfully and thrive!
VIDEO: Your Questions About Safer Sex, Answered
Monday, March 18th, 2019
Got questions about the latest ways to reduce your risk for HIV, STDs and hepatitis C? So do lots of our followers. Members of our Education & Prevention Department went live on Facebook to answer them. In this video, we covered PrEP, PEP, how risky certain sexual behaviors are (or not), and how to reach our programs for more services!
Need free testing services? Contact us at (845) 704-7624 — you can call OR text! ? You can also email us to set up an appointment.
Treo Donates 180+ Cases To HVCS
Friday, November 2nd, 2018
Rob, warehouse manager for Treo Brands, with J. Dewey, HVCS’ Director of Public Relations & Resource Enhancement
Treo, a relatively new beverage company, contacted HVCS with an amazing offer: they had over 180 cases of their product, in three different flavors, that needed a home. They had recently rebranded, streamlining their packaging, and needed to make room in the warehouse for the newly designed bottles. The beverages dressed in the old look, however, were still drinkable (and delicious). HVCS offered to distribute the cases of Treo on our mobile outreach vans, including Project Reach Out and our syringe exchange vans. A few weeks ago, we took the PRO van to the company’s warehouse in Port Chester and filled it with Treo!
Treo is an organic birch water (that’s right–sort of like maple syrup or coconut water) infused with fruit flavors. It’s also sweetened with stevia so it’s low-cal. The PRO and SEP teams have already begun handing out the product to clients. Most of these clients are unstably housed or have no home, and they appreciate any free food or beverages. Offering them a snack or bottle of Treo helps build trust and establish a rapport–and hopefully they’ll keep in touch with us for their healthcare and service needs. We are grateful to Treo Brands for thinking of HVCS’ programs and making this generous donation a reality!
Thank You Pleasantville Moms!
Friday, November 2nd, 2018
As cold weather threatens, the job for HVCS’ Project Reach Out team gets tougher. Life is also tougher for PRO’s clients, who are mostly unstably housed or homeless. It takes more work to find them, and it’s harder to engage them in the HIV prevention and addiction services that PRO offers. That’s where a warm cup of cocoa and a snack can make a huge difference!
Members of a “Pleasantville Moms” Facebook group recently banded together to donate several boxes of ready-mix hot cocoa, along with cookies and chips. The PRO team will be able to build trust and more easily engage their clients by offering them a hot drink on a cold day. And the donations keep coming! Thank you to the women who donated these products. A cup of cocoa is a small gesture but makes a big impact on those who may not have a warm place to live. By staying in touch with the PRO team, we improve their connection to healthcare and support services and can work together towards a brighter future.
Pictured: HVCS’ J. Dewey, Director of Public Relations & Resource Enhancement; Edgar Peralta, Project Reach Out Lower Hudson Senior Prevention Specialist; Anzie Roberts, Project Reach Out Lower Hudson Prevention Specialist.
Press from HVCS’ International Overdose Awareness Day Event
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018
Devan Marano shares her personal story at the Overdose Awareness Day observance in Newburgh.
On Friday, August 31, 2018, Hudson Valley Community Services partnered with Catholic Charities’ TEAM Newburgh to hold a local observance of International Overdose Awareness Day in front of HVCS’ Newburgh office.
International Overdose Awareness Day is an annual global event held on August 31st which aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
The opioid/heroin addiction crisis has had a profound impact on the Hudson Valley over the past few years. In 2016, 367 residents died from opioid overdoses according to the New York State Heroin and Opioid Task Force, and available data on the first three quarters of 2017 suggests similar totals for last year. The epidemic has had a lasting impact on friends, families and neighborhoods—not to mention those who struggle with addiction. HVCS, other healthcare and social support agencies, law enforcement, and local governments have committed resources to prevent overdose deaths, increase the number of residents who seek help for their addiction disorders, and stem the tide of this epidemic. This event was an opportunity to honor and remember those we have lost to addiction disorders via overdose, and continue to educate the community on available resources.
The Hudson Valley’s International Overdose Awareness Day event featured a forum for personal experience speakers, Narcan trainings, educational opportunities, tributes to those lost to overdose, a social media awareness wall, activities to engage children and youth, and free snacks.
Check out local press coverage of the event:
Spectrum News: http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2018/08/31/overdose-awareness-day-hudson-valley
Times Herald Record: Story (http://www.recordonline.com/news/20180831/overdose-survivors-impart-lifesaving-training) and slide show (http://www.recordonline.com/photogallery/TH/20180831/PHOTOGALLERY/831009999/PH/1)
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- Dawn Wilkins from TEAM Newburgh shared stats and data about the local opioid pandemic.
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- HVCS’ Frank Barone shared his personal experiences with addiction.
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- Andrew Reid moderated the panel discussion.
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- Jovanny and Stephanie offered up HIV prevention trivia at one of the information booths.