Engaging Communities around HIV Organizing (ECHO)

Through ECHO (Engaging Communities around HIV Organizing), Advocates recruits, trains and supports a cohort of young people living with HIV to serve as leaders in the fight to end HIV stigma and criminalization. ECHO leaders recognize HIV’s disparate impact on young people of color, including Black and Latino YMSM and trans youth of color. Members use social media campaigns, peer education, storytelling and media outreach to raise awareness of the interconnection between HIV disparity, racism, homophobia, and transphobia and advocate for the inclusion of youth most impacted by HIV in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies that affect their health and well being.

YouthResource

YouthResource (YR) is a year-long development and leadership program designed by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth of color, ages 14 -24,who are actively and/or want to be involved with LGBTQ+ advocacy and organizing in their communities, college campuses and/or in the digital (social media) space. . YR leaders will be provided with personal, professional, and political development to enhance leadership skills.

Using a health and social equity framework, YouthResource seeks to shift culture and policy by elevating the voices of LGBTQ youth of color. YouthResource leaders are responsible for providing their communities and communities around the country with information, resources, and education to address intersectional issues related to LGBTQ+ health and rights, including HIV.

“The Magic City Acceptance Academy Open House was a huge success. Fred Says is the sponsor of the Health and Wellness Classroom. The teacher of the health classes came to the school from the UAB 1917 Clinic (local HIV clinic). He concentrates his classes on sexual health, healthy relationships, and open conversations about wellness. I thought it would be a perfect fit.”

Karen Musgrove, CEO

Co-Founded by Dr. Rob Garofalo in 2004, as a trauma-response alternative to traditional care environments, Broadway Youth Center (BYC) is and has always been a place for young people to find safety, a warm meal, and receive critical care. As a full-service clinic, drop-in center, and social service hub, there are few barriers young people face once they walk through our doors.

On World AIDS Day, Fred Says presented BYC with a check for $50,000 to celebrate the new facility. BYC now has "Fred’s Corner - dedicated by Fred Says and BYC Co-Founder Dr. Robert Garofalo" as a living memory for Fred at BYC. “Fred will be missed" Garofalo said, “But through this giving his spirit lives on through the youth these monies will help support and his impact will continue to be felt for years to come.”

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Health Outreach to Teens (HOTT) program provides a unique health care experience, focused on non-judgmental relationship-building and patient empowerment to underserved and disenfranchised LGBTQ homeless and street-involved youth ages 13-24 across New York City.

HOTT provides comprehensive medical, behavioral health, and dental care including primary care, urgent/episodic care, laboratory services, transgender health services, HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, prevention, and treatment services, psychiatry, individual and group psychotherapy, health education/treatment adherence counseling, mobile and community outreach, and care coordination. All services are provided at no cost for HOTT clients, to ensure that payment does not impede access to care for this vulnerable population. General operating support from Fred Says provides vital access to all of our services as well as medications for our uninsured patients.

The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children's Hospital Los Angles provides HIV care services and collaborate with young adults to promote well-being. HIV Care Program team offers services designed to be relevant to the lives of adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Clients in our program work with a Nurse Manager, Therapist, Case Manager, Health Educator, Linkage to Care Coordinator, and Medical Doctor. Youth can access mental health services, case management, group work, food, clothing, and other resources. Staff is trained in adolescent and youth development and approach the work from a trauma-informed perspective. Services are provided in a client-centered, holistic, and supportive environment responsive to the needs of gay and bisexual men, transgender youth, youth born with HIV, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

TPAN provides services to people living with and vulnerable to HIV. One of our signature programs is our Tea Room, a drop-in center for LGBTQIA+ youth who are experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. In the Tea Room, clients are able to find food, clothing, social support, case management, and referrals for the medical care they need and deserve.

Another signature program of TPAN is Paws N Effect, where rescue dogs are matched with people living with HIV. This innovative program has resulted in clients experiencing a significant boost in mental health and medication compliance.

“We wanted to take a slightly more formal moment to thank you (and Fred) from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful donation to the DTHF. This donation will be going into the Youth Health Park and we know this will bring countless young people both living with HIV and not many more opportunities for better health and wellbeing. We look forward to sending more picks as the health park takes shape and most importantly we look forward to showing you around when you can come and visit us.”

Linda-Gail Bekker and the DTHF family

Tribute to Fred

To an embodiment of love, our dear Fred.
We woke up every morning to see your face on social media. Now we have only memories of you.
Your existence made so much impact. Your exit is causing so much pain.
Your affection has taught us to love ourselves unapologetically.
We will miss you, Fred. I will miss you!
Keep on smiling wherever you are, and heal on like you did here.
Goodbye and rest well.

-Mark N.

*Mark N. was selected in 2019 by the Fred Says foundation to receive an educational scholarship. He is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in the humanities in a Nigerian university.