Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach Expands HIV Testing
April marks a new chapter for the Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach and their commitment to HIV testing, prevention and treatment.
A $393,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Health Department will allow the Center to provide rapid HIV testing six days a week for the first time in its nearly 25 year history. The grant, which was awarded through the department's Office of AIDS Programs and Policy in 2010, allows the Center to provide HIV testing for the first time since 2005.
"Since our start with the Los Angeles County Health Department grant in 2010, we have tested over 1,500 people and continue to test more a more each month," said Ismael Morales, director of health services at the Center. "During these 16 months of testing, we have helped identify more and more people who are living with HIV and getting them into the medical, social and emotional they need."
The grant has allowed the Center to hire a new part-time counselor to help increase the services it already offers. In addition to Morales, Austin Lenzen was brought on board in late March to help cover the additional hours during the week. He will also lead Saturday testing with the help of volunteers.
"The Center has, for many years now, tried to extend the services we offer to include the weekend," said Morales. "Unfortunately up until now we have not had the staff, volunteers or funding to be able to do so. Being able to provide services six days a week is a huge step forward for the Center and a positive move for the HIV testing program."
The Center previously conducted testing from 3-8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday. The new hours are 2-9 p.m. during the week and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Testing is free and confidential and results are available in 20-minute results. Access to free condoms and local STD referrals are also available.
The Center's HIV Counseling and Testing Program is a confidential and free service for open to anyone. Counselors work with each client on how they can reduce their risk of HIV/AIDS and learn more about the virus. They will also provide clients with up-to-date information and resources.
Roughly 20 percent of people who test positive in the United States were previously unaware that they were living with HIV/AIDS. "That statistic has motivated us at The Center to help increase awareness, education and access to testing to the communities that are disproportionately affected by this disease," said Morales.
The Center has also teamed up with The CARE program, Harbor UCLA and the Tom Kay Clinic at Long Beach Comprehensive to help connect people to care and increase their chances for longevity. It is also the second HIV testing site in the city that offers Saturday testing.
The Center's next goal is to extend Saturday testing hours. The current schedule is a trial period that will gauge whether there is a need for the service among local residents.
Log onto www.CenterLB.org or visit the Center at 2017 E. 4th St., Long Beach, Calif., 90814, for further information.