Heat Program

03/11/2025

🌟 Meet Jessica Michel: The Heart Behind HEAT’s HIV/STI Testing! 🌟

At HEAT, we’re all about breaking barriers and accessing sexual health. Meet Jessica Michel, our HIV/STI Testing Coordinator, who’s on a mission to empower young people—especially young Black women—to take charge of their health. 💜✨

From community events to wellness spaces, Jessica ensures that getting tested is easy, safe, and stigma-free. She knows that taking that first step can be scary, but she’s here to remind you that knowing your status is power! 💪🏾

🔗 Watch her full interview & read her story on our blog! https://youtu.be/ThyiFvu2gHs

SUNY Downstate

At HEAT, we take pride in the dedicated individuals who make our community a safe, supportive, and empowering space for young people. In this edition of "Mee...

02/11/2025

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 A Message of Support & Affirmation from Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum
At the HEAT Program, we believe in creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for transgender youth seeking healthcare, mental health support, and community.

Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, Exec. Director of HEAT recently shared an inspiring message reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of transgender youth.

Now more than ever, support, understanding, and access to care matter. Whether you or someone you know needs gender-affirming care, mental health services, or HIV prevention resources, we are here for you.

Help us spread the message of love, acceptance, and empowerment by sharing this post. Together, we can ensure that every young person knows they are valued, supported, and never alone.

For more info visit www.heatprogram.org

10/22/2024

Hey Ladies! 🌟 Our amazing ambassador Jewel () is here to remind you that PrEP is for women too! No insurance? No worries! Empower your health and take charge of your future. 💪 Visit www.BrooklyninPrEP.org to get involved and learn more. Let's spread the word and make health empowerment accessible to all! 💖

.downstate

10/21/2024

🎉 It's time to kick off PrEP Aware Week 2024 with an exciting bang! BROOKLYN IS PrEP'd, and we're thrilled to have our fabulous ambassadors Jewel and Sherrod Williamson leading the charge. 🌟 Join us in celebrating and learn how you can make a difference by visiting www.brooklynisprep.org. Let's unite for a healthier community! 🌈

.downstate

10/18/2024

🌟 Get Ready for PrEP Aware Week, kicking off this Monday, October 21st! 🌟 Meet our 2024 ambassador, Sherrod Williamson—a q***r social media influencer who blends humor with health, fitness, and lifestyle content to keep you informed and entertained! 🎉

With a master's in social work focusing on clinical studies, Sherrod brings expertise and charisma to the table. He's been working with the HEAT Program since 2022 to create uplifting content for our PrEP initiatives.
Connect with Sherrod and join the fun as we celebrate PrEP Aware Week together! 🙌 .downstate

10/17/2024

🛼🎃 Get ready to roll into a spooktacular night with Project Harmony's DRAGULA: A Halloween RollerSkating Extravaganza! 🎃🛼

Join us on October 29th from 6pm to 8pm at the LeFrak Skating Center in Prospect Park for an evening filled with thrilling fun and ghostly glam. 🕸️✨

👻 Be among the first 75 guests to snag FREE skates and delicious food! 🎟️🍕

Don't miss out on this ghoulishly good time! For more info, reach out to:
📧 elizabeth.smith02@downstate.edu

And be sure to follow us on Instagram for all the eerie updates: 📲

Come in costume and let the good times roll! See you there! 🦇🎉

10/16/2024

Join us on Thursday, October 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences Education Building, 395 Lenox Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11203 | Lecture Hall 1A.

This is your chance to dive deep into the amazing resources HEAT offers to enhance community engagement and support. We're on a mission to build a Community Advisory Group for youth aged 13 to 29, focusing on program evaluation and advocacy both in the clinic and during outreach. 🌟

Community partners, we need your help to spread the word! Encourage your clients to join this impactful group. 🙌

🔔 Remember: RSVP e-mail elizabeth.smith02@downstate.edu
🔑 Note: You'll need an ID to enter the building.

For more info, reach out to us at:
📧 elizabeth.smith02@downstate.edu
📧 sepia.peters@downstate.edu

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference. We hope to see you there! 🗓️

10/16/2024

🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨 Countdown to PrEP Aware Week 2024 is on, and we're thrilled to introduce our fabulous ambassador, Jewel Rouge! 🌟

Born in the heart of the Boogie Down Bronx, Jewel is a powerhouse of inspiration. From serving her country as a combat veteran to advocating for sexual health, her journey is remarkable. Jewel's mission? To break down barriers and champion PrEP for everyone—regardless of color, age, religion, or gender. 💪

As a local PrEP Ambassador, Jewel brings her unique insights and personal experiences to the forefront. She especially tackles the social taboos that challenge cis-gendered women in accessing PrEP. Her message is clear: PrEP empowers us to embrace our sexuality with confidence.

Join us in celebrating Jewel Rouge and PrEP Aware Week 2024. Visit www.brooklynisprep.org to learn more and get involved. Let’s make a difference together! 🌈 .downstate

10/15/2024

📅 Countdown to PrEP Aware Week 2024!

Join us in empowering communities with knowledge and resources. Participate in events and discussions focusing on PrEP's role in HIV prevention.

Let's come together to support . Are you in? 🙌

get involved by visiting www.BrooklynisPrEP.org

Get ready for PrEP Aware Week 2024! Happening from October 21-27! Join us for 'Brooklyn is PrEP’d!', a groundbreaking collaboration between the HEAT Program ...

09/23/2024

NEW VIDEO!🎉 Celebrating 20 years of incredible service with Phyllis Jones at the HEAT Program! 🌟 “Twenty years may seem easy, but it’s a journey of challenges and triumphs,” she says. Here's to two decades of unwavering dedication and the profound impact on so many lives. 🙌 .downstate

03/07/2024

We are excited to share these upcoming events with HEAT's Project Harmony. Please share these events with your community.
https://wix.to/8jFitDh

Hello, HEAT community, We're excited to share a series of events lined up for March as part of our Project Harmony initiative. Project Harmony is dedicated to connecting LGBTQIA+ youth of color to resources, health care, hormone therapy, transitioning services, HIV prevention medication (PrEP), HIV....

10/29/2023

What an incredible week it's been! We've had the privilege of celebrating PrEP Aware Week 2023 with our dedicated team and inspiring ambassadors. We are so grateful to everyone who came together to support this important cause.

Our ambassadors , , and have been nothing short of amazing. Their stories have touched many hearts and helped raise awareness about the importance of PrEP in maintaining healthy, pleasurable, and responsible sexual relationships.

We want to say a big thank you to our community for joining us in the celebration. Your involvement has made this week a success and we couldn't have done it without you!

Remember, PrEP is for everyone. It's a powerful tool in preventing HIV and it's accessible to all, regardless of insurance status. Our team at the HEAT Program PATH Center at The Brooklyn Hospital Center is always here to help.

As we wrap up , let's not forget the message of this year's theme: 'PrEP is for Every Body'. Let's continue to advocate for PrEP and sexual health, not just this week, but every day. Together, we can make a difference.

Visit www.brooklynisprep.ORG to learn more. Stay safe, stay informed, and remember - you're not alone in this journey.