A comprehensive program that serves youth who identify as LGBT or are at risk for HIV/AIDS moved into a new space this summer, maximizing its ability to provide services.
Youth Health Empowerment Project, a program of Philadelphia FIGHT, in July moved its headquarters to the third floor of 1417 Locust St. It was formerly housed at 112 N. Broad St.
The organization will host an open house to unveil its new location at 2 p.m. Sept. 12.
The agency, founded in 1994, was in its previous location since 2001.
Y-HEP program director Katie Dunphy said the group began looking into a new headquarters about a year ago, after it was awarded a $1.5-million five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control. The funding enabled the launch of a prevention campaign targeted at young men of color who have sex with men, and the hiring of five new staffers to oversee the program, which Dunphy said necessitated more space.
In searching for a new spot, organizers had the challenge of finding a space that included a shower, laundry services and kitchen to accommodate its drop-in center, all of which is included at 1417 Locust St.
The move more than doubled Y-HEP’s square footage — from 2,500 to more than 6,000.
It also allowed for the addition of a second group room for meetings and activities, and Y-HEP’s health services and counseling programs will now be offered in separate locations. The organization retained its seven-station computer lab.
“We’re now able to do multiple programming at the same time, which we couldn’t do in our old space,” Dunphy said. “It’s a huge increase in square footage that will allow multiple things to be taking place at once.”
Y-HEP was closed for just four days during the transition.
Dunphy said the expanded space will be integral in supporting new programs and clients.
“Right now we’re able to think about, develop and implement new and creative ways to respond to the needs that youth are telling us about,” she said. “We’re hoping to start GED programming on site, and we’re piloting a new exercising group. We want to keep expanding our services, and now we have the ability to do so.”
