Project Hope
Project Hope provides comprehensive harm reduction services to a growing population of persons living with or at-risk of acquiring HIV-AIDS. The program was begun in the early 1990’s in response to the growing incidence of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases among the African-American community.
United Way funding of this program supports in part the employment of the staff person who delivers the services. Her employment also allows the Urban League to conduct testing of at-risk populations, for which the Commonwealth reimburses the organization.
In particular, the program provides prevention and education services to “hard-to-reach” populations--African Americans, Hispanics and others living in Lancaster County. Services delivered include: Outreach, Individual-Level Interventions, Group-Level Interventions, Prevention Case Management, support groups, emergency assistance, and testing and counseling of at-risk persons in our community.
These services are the types of activities that have been proven successful in slowing the spread of the disease and preventing its continued threat to our community. These efforts have proved effective in identifying persons carrying the disease thereby preventing its spread; and in educating those at-risk of contracting the disease, preventing its further and accelerated spread throughout the community.
All services and materials provided are free of charge, including: HIV testing, male/female condoms, and bleach kits. We use the noninvasive OraSure HIV-1 Oral Specimen Collection Device for our HIV testing, allowing for no needles and no pain on persons thirteen years and older.
