ACQC seeks to improve delivery of lifesaving HIV/AIDS care and services throughout the borough of Queens, which has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in New York City. This new LGBT Youth Drop In Center provides a safe, supportive space for homeless LGBT and at-risk youth, age 13-24, with services that empower them to improve their lives and change behaviors for the better.
JAMAICA, NY (May 17, 2018) AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC), an affiliate organization of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), is proud to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration of its new LGBT Youth Drop In Center set for Friday, May 18th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Woodside, Queens ACQC location. ACQC seeks to improve delivery of lifesaving HIV/AIDS care and services throughout the borough of Queens, which has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS
in New York City. This new LGBT Youth Drop In Center provides a safe, supportive space for homeless LGBT and at-risk youth, age 13-24, with services that empower them to improve their lives and change behaviors for the better, and all services are confidential and free of charge.
WHAT: RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY—LGBT Youth Drop In Center
WHEN: Friday, May 18th, 2018
- 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Community Partner reception/gathering
- 3:00 pm—formal ribbon-cutting ceremony & remarks take place
WHERE: ACQC Woodside Site 62-07 Woodside Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377
WHO:
- Rosemary Lopez, Executive Director, ACQC
- A representative from the Jose Peralta, NY State Senator’s office (District 13, including the Queens neighborhoods of Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside)
- A representative from the Daniel Dromm, New York City Council Member’s office (District 25-Queens)
- Therese R. Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Apicha
- LQBT Youth spokesperson(s) TBD
- And a special performance by New York City urban poet & spoken word artist, ‘Keys Will’
B-ROLL: Tours of the new LGBT Youth Drop In Center
“As contributing partners in the greater Queens community for the past 32 years, ACQC is honored by the ongoing trust that so many individuals have placed in us for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and services,” said Rosemary Lopez, Executive Director at ACQC. “We are excited now to build on that trust and expand our mission with new, targeted outreach to LGBT youth—a population often at-risk– via this safe space at our new LGBT Youth Drop In Center. It is a privilege to join with our community partners in celebrating the opening of this special facility, and a duty for ACQC to open and operate this unique and much-needed center in Queens.”
“Everyone has challenges, and the mission of this accessible new LGBT Drop In Center is to help young people understand theirs and feel supported,” said Donna Tempesta, Vice President, Northern Region & Finance for AHF, an affiliate organization of ACQC. “The programs and workshops offered at the center are designed to help build skills to allow participating youth to get beyond their particular challenges, empowering them each toward a positive, productive, and independent life. We are honored to partner with ACQC over the past three years and congratulate them on this important new outreach effort.”
LGBTQ Drop In Center Services
Among the services offered at the Center, which targets homeless LGBT and at-risk youth ages 13-24, include:
- Shower/Bathroom Facilities
- Hot Meals
- Education Services: the LGBT Drop In Center can assist youth:
- find a Transfer School & TASC program,
- prepare for their GED or apply for college,
- file FAFSA, and
- learn educational computer applications.
- Job Readiness: the LGBT Drop In Center can assist youth:
- find jobs, job fairs or internships,
- Learn new skills,
- create a resume and get ready for interviews.
The Drop In Center staff can also help individuals with referrals to immigration and legal services, our food pantry and can also provide group creative arts and recreational activities. For youth with more urgent needs, like medical and mental health care, PReP/PEP, sexual health and HIV testing, or alcohol and substance use counseling, the LGBT Drop In Center Staff can help individuals access those services, too.
Honored guests expected at the ribbon-cutting include a representative from New York State Senator Jose Peralta’s office; a representative from New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm’s office, Therese R. Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer at Apicha, as well as a special performance by New York City urban poet & spoken word artist, ‘Keys Will.’ In addition, a proclamation from New York Congressman Joseph Crowley will be presented by his office.
The new LGBT Drop In Center is conveniently located near the 7 subway train by the 61st Street/Woodside stop. The Drop In Center is also generously funded by the H. Van Ameringen Foundation and the New York City Council. The Drop In Center will be open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and is targeting youth between the ages of 13 to 24. All services are confidential and free of charge.
