HIV/AIDS care, support and prevention services
Empower U is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower, educate, and promote better health care choices for individuals & families infected with and affected by health disparities, particularly HIV/AIDS spectrum disease, and populations at risk for HIV infections within communities of color. All services are free and include HIV rapid testing, case management, prevention interventions, housing, and emergency assistance. Ryan White & Medicaid PAC Waiver clients welcomed.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, case management, SISTA, Safety Counts, HIV testing, Medicaid, Ryan White, free, referrals, prevention, interventions, Mpowerment, gay,
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Empower U has been providing HIV services in Miami-Dade County since 1999.
What is your primary product or service?
We provide HIV care, support and prevention services for people living with and at risk for HIV/aids.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
The organization was founded by two women living with HIV/AIDS who saw the need for HIV services to be provided by people who understood what people living with HIV/AIDS were going through.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Empower U is unique in that it is founded on a peer-based model of service delivery. Empower U's staff is indigenous to the population we serve, and includes people living with HIV/AIDS, minorities, residence of our service area, recovered substance abusers, and ex-offenders.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Empower U is adjacent to the Liberty City area on its north side. This area has the highest rate and number of HIV/AIDS cases in Miami-Dade. Because this is the population that is most in need, Empower U has no plans to move from this area. However, we would like to expand our services in the near future to include an HIV specialty medical clinic, and a conference room for patient education activities.
What type of payments do you accept?
Our services are free, but if someone would like to make a tax-deductible donations we accept cash, personal & company checks, and credit cards.
Which areas do you service?
Our service area is Liberty and the surrounding areas, however, we will serve anyone who meets the eligibility criteria for our programs.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Our volunteer Board of Directors oversee the organization. Current Board members & officers are Charles Sawyer Jackson (President), Yamille Marrero (Secretary/Treasurer), Vandilla McClendon, & Franz Andre. Our Executive Director, Vanessa Mills, is also a member of the Board and manages the day-to-day operations.
What are your hours of operation?
Empower U's office is open Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm (for HIV testing). Outreach workers also canvass the neighborhoods during non-traditional hours (evenings, early mornings, and/or weekends).
Contact Empower U Inc:
