The bonds of communities have always played a crucial role in facing public health challenges. Many caring people have participated in walks, marches, and community events that support those with a number of illnesses, such as cancer or ALS, showing how a community can be pivotal in turning the tables on a public health crisis.
Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc. (d.b.a “Hope & Help”) was started in 1988 amid some of the darkest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Beginning as a group of friends who banded together to help one of their own, the organization has since grown into one of the most comprehensive STI/HIV service organizations in Central Florida.
Unfortunately, Central Florida is home to a significant number of HIV cases. The rates of HIV-positive patients in the region have even outpaced the national average in recent years. This, compounded by stigma, makes the work done by Hope & Help even more critical.
Community-based support
According to studies, peer education, community-based programs, and peer-based navigation programs can lead to better outcomes for those living with HIV or AIDS. Community-based programs aim to increase knowledge and promote safe behaviors within their communities, including regular testing and the use of contraceptives.
Hope & Help has been at the helm of community-based HIV and STI prevention and outreach programs for decades. Through these programs, people can access free rapid HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis C testing at its primary location and throughout the community at a variety of health events. The organization offers free condoms and also provides a full medical clinic, case management, and support group services for those facing a diagnosis or simply seeking a community connection.
The involvement and engagement of Hope & Help in the Central Florida community are crucial because they allow the organization to educate the community on a wide range of topics related to HIV, AIDS, and STI prevention. This outreach, care, and support are especially crucial for vulnerable populations in the Central Florida area, such as homeless people or people who have lost connection with their family of origin.
Meeting people where they are
The center of Hope & Help’s mission is the community itself, which is why the team strives to meet people where they are, regardless of where they are in their personal journey. They work with many people in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as women, young men, or anyone with or affected by HIV community and have crafted specialized programs to bring education, information, and inspiration to people who may be struggling with not only a risk of HIV or other STI exposure, but also their connection to a community that will embrace them.
Hope & Help’s support groups offer a safe and welcoming environment for individuals to share their concerns, fears, stories, and triumphs. The groups are designed to help people form strong support networks, which can be invaluable if someone is facing a frightening diagnosis or other life-changing event. The organization’s team has found that their community support groups have been integral in helping people better shape their personal journeys toward optimum wellness. Hope & Help even has more individualized support groups, such as the RISE group, which provides community and uplifting support for women living with HIV.
These groups and the overall community that Hope & Help has built help people reduce stigma and isolation, improve their mental health, share knowledge, and give people access to necessary resources, all vital for people who are either living with HIV, are at risk of contracting an STI, or facing a big life change.
Comprehensive care and community connection
Hope & Help is aware of the diverse needs of the Central Florida community, which is why they offer a comprehensive range of services targeting both physical and emotional needs. The organization is a destination for many seeking primary care, STI and HIV testing, PrEP/nPEP services, sick patient visits, annual exams, immunizations, and more in Central Florida. Their goal is to bring compassionate care to the community and inclusive care that lets each patient know that they are important.
Peer networks and community support can be a lifeline for those seeking knowledge, a sense of community, or help. Among high-risk groups and vulnerable populations, the improved outcomes that come with peer networks and community support programs can be undeniable. Hope & Help assists community members in making connections, accessing information, and finding comprehensive care for everything from testing to medication.
As we learn more about HIV and other STIs, the landscape surrounding these concerns will be constantly changing. Community-based program leaders such as Hope & Help illustrate how an emphasis on peer engagement is changing how HIV and AIDS are viewed, how people at risk of infection or living with a diagnosis are treated, and how we must proceed going forward if we are to see a future without HIV someday.