How OnPoint NYC Promotes Sexual Health
September is Sexual Health Awareness Month – an opportunity to promote safer sex practices, offer STI education and testing, and educate on healthy relationships, boundaries, and self-care. At OnPoint NYC, we understand the unique challenges that our community members often face regarding these topics – and prioritize compassionate, affirming, and effective sexual health services, events, and guidance year-round.
For our community members, who often use drugs and/or engage in sex work, this is particularly important as they are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne pathogens, face barriers to testing and medication access, and are understandably wary of seeking support due to marginalization.
We spoke with three of our staff members who provide such services—Synn Stern, RN, Health Clinic Nurse, Shade Barkley, HCV Program Coordinator, and Denise Barkley, Lead Navigator—about their work and its impact.
OnPoint NYC’s Sexual Health Services
We provide free condoms and HIV/HCV/STI testing, clinical care and medication, supportive peer groups, sexual health education events, and more at our centers and in the community.
These services, which are operated year-round, allow OnPoint NYC participants to be connected with the resources, knowledge, and tools to practice safer sex, detect and treat infections, and improve their sexual health.
- Clinical Care: In our drop-in clinics, we provide testing for HIV, HCV, and other sexually transmitted infections, provide medications, and promote sexual health in the context of routine care. Participants who test positive are connected with medication and support to ensure optimal health, and those who need preventative care are offered options that work with their lifestyle and needs. As Synn notes, “medications such as Apretude (an injectable formulation of PrEP for HIV prevention) make it easier for people who have a hard time managing daily pills to get the treatment they’re looking for.”
- Support Groups: Participants have access to safer sex / STI education groups where they can comfortably discuss topics like survival and commercial sex with others who have lived experience and can offer education and support. These groups also often feature games and trivia. “This can make learning about these topics more engaging and less daunting,” says Shade.
- Events: Regularly hosted events at our two Drop-in centers—often geared around relevant observance days—provide an opportunity to engage our community in testing and education about sexual health topics.
- Safer Sex Materials: OnPoint NYC also freely offers safer sex kits, including external and internal condoms, lube, and other materials to help protect themselves and their partners. These are available at our Drop-in centers and distributed in the greater East Harlem and Washington Heights communities.
OnPoint’s Approach
Given that sexual health can often be a sensitive topic, OnPoint NYC’s staff strives to create a compassionate, non-judgemental space where participants feel comfortable discussing sexual health topics and accepting support.
“We employ staff with lived experience to show that we understand and don’t judge people based on their drug use or involvement in sex work. Our approach is very much about empathy and respect,” shares Shade.
As she notes, “Many have had negative or traumatic experiences when seeking medical care, especially in environments that don’t embrace a harm reduction approach… [but at OnPoint NYC] we often see some of the same individuals multiple times a week, and we build relationships with them—calling them by their first names, asking about their families, and providing the professional care they need. This personal touch helps create a more supportive and trusting environment.”
For many of our participants, these connections allow them to build bonds with our staff members – which not only leads to greater adherence and trust, but in creating a support system that improves their overall quality of life.
“One memorable moment as the HCV Care Coordinator was when a participant called me at 8 PM. He was excitedly sharing that he was baking a chicken in his apartment for the first time. He didn’t have anyone else to share this milestone with, so he reached out to me. The next day, he thanked me for taking his call and brought me some of the chicken he had made. It was a funny, heartwarming experience that, while not directly related to my job, highlighted the personal connections we build. It’s moments like these that remind me why our work is so meaningful,” shares Shade.
Interested in learning more about how OnPoint NYC promotes sexual health?
Check out these related blog posts:
Staying Safe and Informed: The Importance of Regular HIV Testing
Hepatitis C is Curable – and OnPoint NYC is Making an Impact
Meeting People Where They Are – And Connecting Them with Judgment-Free Support
