Health and Education Alternatives for Teens (HEAT) Program

The Health & Education Alternatives for Teens (HEAT) Program is a unique program that focuses on the special needs of teenagers and young adults (ages 13 - 29) that are HIV infected or at risk.

The HEAT Program is the only comprehensive care program of its kind in Brooklyn that provides age and developmentally appropriate, culturally competent care for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and youdng adult who are living with or high-risk for HIV / AIDS. HEAT operates a 'one-stop shopping' full service clinic that is set in a youth-friendly, discrete and easily accessible venue at the SUNY Downstate's Center for Healthcare Services in Brooklyn. HEAT's clinic offers a full range of medical, mental health, supportive and prevention services that are tailored to meet the special health care needs of young people and addresses the barriers which youth often face while accessing health care services.

The HEAT Program also has a full range of community outreach and prevention programs that host dozens of free events throughout the year. Balls, dances, skate parties, movie nights, health fairs, and more are happening at HEAT to engage with youth who benefit from education and services related to HIV.

All of our services are confidential and comprehensive. The HEAT Program was founded in 1992, making it the first of its kind in Brooklyn and therefore the most experienced. HEAT also serves a leadership role in strengthening the network of youth-oriented providers in the metropolitan area and heightening public awareness about the impact of the HIV / AIDS epidemic on adolescents and young adults. We are committed to providing age-appropriate and culturally competent care for all youths – straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, and from all ethnic backgrounds. Staff also work with a variety of community-based programs to provide education, support and referral opportunities for youth at risk for HIV infection. The program takes referrals from all five boroughs and offers services to teens and young adults regardless of ability to pay.  Visit HEAT’s website at https://www.heatprogram.org today to learn more about their programs!

If you would like to support this important work, please consider an online gift to HEAT: Health & Education Alternatives for Teens.