La Voz

ABOUT

At seven times the national average, Springfield has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts. Latinos comprise only a quarter of its population, but they account for over half of those living with HIV, many of whom struggle with drug/alcohol use/abuse.

Tapestry Health's La Voz Program provides neighborhood-centered public health interventions to high risk and underserved populations. It began as a HIV prevention initiative in the South End and has expanded to serve homeless and re-entry persons. By exercising cultural competentency and offering such necessities as meals, clothing, showers, and laundry facilities, we have achieved success.

By operating mostly in non-clinical settings, ranging from soup kitchens to street corners to shooting galleries, we reach people rarely served by others, including the impoverished, the unemployed, the homeless, injection drug users, and those recently released from incarceration. Many have untreated psychological conditions that contribute to their situations.

This group leaves costly expenses to the public because of their illnesses and use of emergency rooms. It is also the most likely group to place their partners, children, and larger community at risk of HIV and other physical and social ailments. And that problem affects everyone. Please call (413) 363-9472 for more information.

SERVICES

• Medical triage
• Mental health, substance abuse screening, and access to treatment
• Homeless care management
• Post-incarceration services/re-entry case management
  
• Individual counseling
  
• HIV counseling and testing
• Hepatitis C testing
  
• Overdose prevention education
• Narcan® training and distribution
  
• Vein and wound care
• Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
  
• Tuberculosis screening
• Supported referrals to related services