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| HIPS
Staff: |
What
is HIPS ? |
Cyndee
Clay
Executive Director
202-232-8303
(CyndeeClay-at-HIPS-dot-org)
G.G. Thomas
Client Advocate & Program Assistant
202-232-8150
(Gigi-at-HIPS-dot-org)
Elizabeth Saracco
Director of Peer Education
202-232-8150
(Elizabeth-at-HIPS-dot-org)
Jeff Chubb
Outreach Director
202-232-8152
(Jeff-at-HIPS-dot-org)
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HIPS'
mission is to assist female, male, and transgendered individuals
engaging in sex work in Washington, DC in leading healthy lives.
Utilizing a harm reduction model, HIPS' programs strive to address the
impact that HIV/AIDS, STIs, discrimination, poverty, violence and drug
use have on the lives of individuals engaging in sex work.
HIPS was formed in 1993 by community and police representatives in
response to the recognized need for specialized services for youth
engaging in sex for gain in Washington, D.C.
HIPS reaches over 100 sex workers each night on outreach and makes over
8,000 contacts every year. Over 4,500 of those contacts are with youth
under 24. The majority of HIPS' contacts are made through our mobile
outreach program. Three nights a week, from 9:00pm until 5:00am, HIPS
staff and volunteers, provide education and counseling, and distribute
safety materials, clothing and food to sex workers on the streets. HIPS
works to build positive relationships with sex workers on the street
through active listening, consistent outreach and unconditional support.
HIPS also serves street sex workers through our counseling and referral
program which provides services ranging from obtaining a legitimate ID
card to finding emergency shelter for young people fleeing abusive
relationships. HIPS 24-hour hotline provides counseling and referrals
to anyone in or affected by prostitution or sex work. Hotline
counselors can answer health questions or support parents whose sons or
daughters are engaged in sex work. HIPS Foot Patrol addresses the HIV
prevention and health needs of an especially marginalized population,
young men on the street. All of our services provide comprehensive,
unconditional support, utilizing harm reduction models to assist youth
and adults on the street to identify the skills they need or already
have to make healthier life choices for themselves.
HIPS is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization that relies on support
from over 100 dedicated volunteers, local community advocates,
religious organizations, private foundations and businesses to support
our work empowering people on the streets.
For more information about HIPS, please check out our website at
www.HIPS.org, or call (202) 232-8150. |
HIPS
mission is to assist female, male, and transgendered individuals
engaging in sex work in Washington, DC in leading healthy lives. Using
a harm reduction model, HIPS’ programs strive to address the
impact
that HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, discrimination,
poverty, violence and drug use have on the lives of individuals
engaging in sex work. |
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