FIGHT Receives $20,000 Challenge Grant to Support Medical-Dental Integration at Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine Center
Chief Dental Officer Dr. Kari Hexem received a $20,000 challenge grant from the Jerome B. Miller Foundation to bolster medical-dental integration at the Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine Center.
London Patient
Adam Castillejo, referred to as “The London Patient,” toured FIGHT’s health centers, lunched with staff members, and gave a CHTA chat while touring Philadelphia on a presentation tour. Adam is the second person known to be cured of HIV infection when his body became resistant to HIV infection after receiving a bone marrow transplant. He spoke of spreading hope for a future HIV Cure.
Project TEACH Profile: Teresa Sullivan, Director of HIV Prevention and Education
Project TEACH is a comprehensive health education program for people living with HIV/AIDS based on the belief that knowledge is power. TEACH classes provide information about HIV, the impact of medication, the importance of adherence, advocacy, and others in various settings.
World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast
On December 1, 2022, Philadelphia FIGHT Faith Initiatives hosted its World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast for the first time since the pandemic. Over two hundred guests attended the event in the Ormandy Ballroom of The Double Tree Hotel. The keynote speaker was Pastor W. Nick Taliaferro, host of WURD radio’s “Evening WURDs with Nick Taliaferro.” Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Rev. Dr. Marsha Brown Woodard, Father Ryan Paetzold, Waheedah Shabazz, and Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood offered interfaith prayers. Dr. Calenthia Dowdy received the Faith Leader of the Year Award for her work in spirituality and health in the community.
Clove Partners with FIGHT for Stride with Pride Campaign
For the second year in a row, Clove® Shoes has partnered with FIGHT to promote pride and ally-ship with the LGBTQ+ community. Along with Clove’s financial donations, the “Stride with Pride” campaign featured Instagram photoshoots and interviews with Chief Community Justice Officer Assata Thomas, Sarah Smith, Certified Physician Assistant at Jonathan Lax Treatment Center, and Dr. Jeff Eugene, MD at Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine, Y-HEP.
Trans Youth Resilience Fund
Y-HEP has reopened applications for the Trans Youth Resilience Fund. The Trans Youth Resilience Fund is a direct financial assistance program that puts money in the hands of young trans and nonbinary individuals to support their health, safety, and wellness, as defined by them. The fund has aided over 75 young trans and nonbinary youth with over $30,000 in cash assistance. In partnership with the Gender Justice Fund and Girls of Color, we aim to distribute over $50,000 in payments directly to transgender and non-binary youth next year.
COVID Testing in the Community
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and COVID-19 testing became available, it became apparent that people in underserved communities would again be underserved. Very quickly, Philadelphia FIGHT, in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia, took immediate action to make COVID-19 testing a community reality. Testing sites were established in neighborhoods that served as home to those economically challenged, people of color, those struggling with the English language, and people experiencing homelessness.
Philadelphia FIGHT collaborated with several organizations dedicated to serving the most vulnerable such as SEAMAAC, Face to Face Germantown, and Norris Square Community Alliance. The testing was and is free and open to those seeking to learn if they had been infected with COVID-19 – a critical first step in halting its spread.
Thousands of North Philadelphians were tested at Norris Square between August 2020 and April 2022.
The Mifflin Square Park site, in collaboration with SEAMAAC, was one of the first COVID-19 testing sites in South Philadelphia and continues to provide free PC and rapid tests, regardless of insurance status.
At Germantown’s Face to Face, the testing has enabled teachers to know they were free of infection and could work with children in their children’s programs.
Amanda Ocasio, Program Manager for Philadelphia FIGHT’s COVID-19 Community Testing, feels honored to be part of this ongoing effort to be helping communities fight COVID-19, locally and as part of a global challenge. The Community Testing program team includes Vania Barrenechea, Terrence Rush, Val Sowell, and Jennifer Wright, Administrative Director.
Thanks for your continued support!
Each year FIGHT reaches over 10,000 individuals with social services and education programs and treats over 7,700 people at our health centers regardless of their ability to pay. All of our services are offered because of your support!