Improving the emotional and physical health and quality of life for people impacted by HIV/AIDS since 1995.
Services Offered:
- Ryan White case management
- A safe place to connect with friends or find someone to talk to
- Help connecting to medical and emotional health partners
- Nutritious meals
- Nutritional counseling
- Medication adherence
- Substance abuse and mental health counseling
- Drop-in center for people impacted by HIV/AIDS
- Psycho-social support groups in English and Spanish with a Women’s Group and a Movie/Activity Night
These services are offered free of charge to HIV+ income eligible residents of the greater New Britain or Bristol areas. All information is kept strictly confidential according to state and federal regulations.
Success Story
“Julio” (fictitious name) started smoking pot and drinking alcohol when he was 11 years old. He is now 42 years old. Throughout his teens he went from pot to cocaine, crack, and pretty much whatever he could get his hands on. He didn’t think he had a problem because he was functioning normally and held a job.
When Julio was 20, a friend introduced him to heroin. His friend came over daily asking him to go in on some dope, knowing that Julio had the money to help him get his fix. By the end of a month Julio was totally strung out and he began to lose control of everything in his life. Julio’s struggle with heroin continued for the next 20 years. He was not proud of some of the things he did to get money for his heroin—including things that landed him in jail many times. Julio’s life became hopeless. He was killing himself and his wife, who watched as he destroyed his life.
He heard about HRA’s Safety Counts Program from a friend at the shelter and decided to try it. As he told the counselor, “I had been in many programs and never had any success so I was ready to try something different.”
It has not been easy, but Julio has been sober for 7 months. He is going to all of his support meetings and doctor appointments. He is also working full-time and getting ready to move into his own apartment. “I was being very selfish because I didn’t think I was hurting anyone but myself. Now I realize I was also hurting my wife.”
For more information, visit the Connecticut Department of Health ›
Program funded by the City of New Britain, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant, and the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.