TOTAL/ HIV Prevention and Education Program

Since 2004, with continuous support from the New York State AIDS Institute, St. Christopher's has served at-risk communities with the TOTAL Program of HIV Prevention, located at 154 West 127 Street in Harlem.

TOTAL, for Transforming Ourselves Through Action and Learning, targets women of childbearing age in Central Harlem and the South Bronx and, as a secondary focus, their sexual partners. By working to increase women's knowledge, awareness and sense of self worth, and to improve their standards of personal behavior and communications skills, we are helping young adults to reduce their misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and, at the same time, to avoid self-destructive behaviors such as unprotected sex, passivity, and poor decision making.

Women seeking assistance, as well as women from the surrounding community recruited by our street outreach team, are offered the opportunity to participate in the individual counseling and group sessions provided by the TOTAL Program's HIV Educators. The HIV interactive education curriculum used in the group interventions is designed to change factors that can facilitate behaviors such as increased and correct condom use.

For additional information or to set up an appointment with St. Christopher’s TOTAL staff, please contact Gerald Spencer, TOTAL Program Coordinator, at gspencer@sc1881.org or 212-280-1893 ext. 233.