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“It helps you to be open and honest about everything that has to do with HIV. It made me think about different ways I could be more healthy…understanding more about co-infection.”
-“John,” a Be Aware, Be Alive client
Be Aware, Be Alive is an HIV prevention program involving two interventions: risk reduction counseling, and HIV rapid testing.
Risk reduction counseling is provided for persons living with HIV who are having difficulty with safer sex or needle sharing practices. Factors that may impact a client’s ability to maintain safer behaviors include: mental illness, homelessness or risk of homelessness, domestic violence, and substance abuse. The HIV prevention counselor works one-on-one with clients to assist them with achieving risk reduction goals.
You may contact Susan Zeigler, at 773-248-5200, x334, if you think you could benefit from risk reduction counseling services.
HIV rapid testing is provided at Chicago House’s main office and within the community through several partnering agencies. This program seeks to help identify some of the estimated 25% of individuals in the United States who are HIV positive and unaware of their status. The HIV testing program also works with community advocates who talk to their social networks to encourage them to obtain an HIV test. You may call our Rapid HIV Testing Hotline at 773-248-5200, x380 for information regarding walk-in hours or to schedule an appointment.
The Be Aware, Be Alive prevention program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a partnership including the following agencies: Chicago House, Heartland Community Treatment Services (formerly Heartland Alliance Rafael Center), the Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House, and Featherfist.
For more information or to receive Be Aware, Be Alive services, contact Susan Zeigler at szeigler@chicagohouse.org or 773-248-5200 x334.
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