PROCEED, Inc

HIV CONTENT NOTICE: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website.
 

PROCEED provides free, confidential, in-house and outreach HIV testing and counseling to more than 3,000 clients annually. With a persistent attitude and a humble outlook, experienced staff members conduct outreach activities that lead to long-term relationships with communities at high risk for HIV/AIDS in Union and Essex Counties. 

HIV testing and counseling sessions take place either at PROCEED’s offices or on-site in the community. Individuals are encouraged to take the first step and walk in for testing and counseling services; no appointment or application is necessary. To reach those who may not know about our services or may be hesitant to contact us, our outreach team goes out into the community daily to offer free HIV testing and counseling right from the back of one of its vans.

Regardless of where the session takes place, people are educated about the risk of becoming infected with HIV and about what steps they can take to protect themselves and their sex and/or needle-sharing partners.
If an individual is HIV positive, staff strive to teach him or her how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including how to develop habits that help keep sex and/or needle sharing partners safe. If a person is HIV positive but not yet in treatment, resources are pulled to help him or her reconnect with the appropriate medical and social services.
Additionally, educational and risk-reduction programs are available to all members of the high-risk community, regardless of their HIV status.

For more information on PROCEED’s HIV testing and counseling services or to receive a test, please call 908-351-7727 or visit PROCEED’s satellite office at 1122 E. Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ. If you have specific questions, please ask for Elizabeth Piñeros, PhD, LCSW, the Clinical Director of the program. No previous appointment is necessary to get a free HIV test. Read below to learn more about specific outreach programs.

COPA—Community Organized to Prevent AIDS

COPA services are available for residents of the Elizabeth community, particularly at-risk African American and Latino women, high risk Latinos in general, and people living with HIV/AIDS. These individuals are sought out through intensive community outreach from one of PROCEED’s vans. Through COPA, they have the opportunity to receive services ranging from on-site HIV testing to community-wide educational programs.

Specific services offered include: on-site OraQuick HIV testing, pre- and post-test counseling, support groups, individual and group counseling, comprehensive risk counseling and services, health seminars, and referrals to additional services, as appropriate.

PROCEED Safely

PROCEED Safely reaches out to injection drug users and their needle sharing and/or sexual partners in Elizabeth, East Orange, Irvington, and Newark (Union and Essex Counties). The program’s goal is to reduce HIV, Hepatitis, and STI transmission among injection drug-users. PROCEED Safely provides thorough prevention services, including education programs about the risks associated with HIV and ways to prevent HIV transmission, as well as referrals for treatment services.

Specific services offered include: on-site OraQuick HIV testing, pre- and post- test counseling, prevention information, health education, risk reduction education, community-wide programs, and drug treatment referrals.
Staff  provide referrals and linkage, as appropriate, to methadone maintenance programs, detox programs, inpatient treatment and counseling, outpatient treatment and counseling, medical care, and social services.

PROCEED Protected

PROCEED Protected provides HIV counseling and testing services for residents of Union County. Program participants are either injection drug users, needle sharers, or have multiple sex partners.

The team conducts on-site HIV rapid testing and provides follow-up referrals, as appropriate, from one of PROCEED’s vans.

Specific services offered include: on-site OraQuick HIV testing, pre- and post-test counseling, and prevention and risk reduction education.