Positive Change Hero: Maria

Maria Madrid is one of the most vivacious, fun, and friendly people our staff, Peers, program participants, and visitors see at Alliance Midtown Central. After more than two decades, Maria is celebrating her retirement and transitioning from full-time to part-time work. We at Alliance are so grateful to Maria for her passion for harm reduction, and the kindness she shows everyone she comes into contact with. We’re so glad that she’ll still be in the office a few days a week, even if less than we’ve grown accustomed to, and wish her health and happiness with her extra free time. She has definitely earned it. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her work as a frontline hero.

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what you brought you to Alliance

Maria: I came to Alliance almost 30 years ago. I was using a lot of drugs and went to a lot of NA meetings. Someone I met there was coming to Alliance when we were ASC on 14th St. I’ve stayed for 22 years because I like to see people make positive changes.

2.    Tell me about your approach to your work and the program participants you see

Maria: Most of the people in my programs are people who use drugs. A lot of people can do moderation, like going from using four bags a week to two, that’s a huge improvement for them. Some people can’t. So some people’s solutions are different. I always treat people like people, and I think that’s what we do here, and it works. In my experience, nobody in the shelter system asks people how they are doing or if they need anything? We’re always polite and patient.

3.    Do you base a lot of how you treat people you work with on your personal experiences?

Maria: Oh absolutely. Like I said, some people are all or nothing when they’re using drugs. I was one of them. I couldn’t do moderation, so I know that other people are the same way. So I haven’t touched drugs or liquor in 29 years.

I also went through the shelter system. I also went through difficult relationships I had to repair. Including with my kids.

4.    Can you me about a specific person in the program?

Maria: The person who brought me here was Lurenda, I’ll always remember her. One person, I’m not going to say his name obviously, but he is always trying to stop, so he’s in the methadone program. His drug use was making his hepatitis C worse. We were able to get him into the methadone program, and for a while, his hepatitis C was supressed. He’s relapsed since then, but we’re not giving up on him. 

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic?

Maria: It was good. I had a chance to hold more Zoom groups and the participants who were not tech-savvy still learned how to do it. A lot of people haven’t come back, yet, and some people are adapting. I think also people are going to have trauma from trying to deal with the world right now.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

Maria: If I had a million dollars, I would be doing this same type of job, giving people help who want it. Because people making serious changes in their lives is a long-term process.

7.    So you’ve just transition away from working full-time Alliance, right?  

Maria: Yes. I’m becoming a Peer here. After 22 years of working full-time here, I’m taking more time to be with my family. My kids are 48 and 44. I have two granddaughters, one who is 30 who has twins.

8.    Is there another question that I have not asked you that I should? 

Maria: I’ll give you my philosophy, too: Be good to yourself and be good to other people. You can’t help everyone, but don’t put someone down because you can’t help them.

Positive Change Hero: Eugene and Taryn

Photo: David Nager/Alliance

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what you brought you to Alliance

Eugene: I grew up in Long Island.  I’m the manager of the Criminal Justice (CJI) initiative and I've worked at Alliance for seven years.

Taryn: I was born and raised in the Lower East Side. I started on CJI and have been working on that and other criminal initiatives at Alliance off and on for the past 5 years.

2.    Tell me about your program/service and what problem it solves

Eugene: At CJI, we help HIV positive people get connected to care as they're released from prison back into one of a few boroughs in the city. We help them find housing, get connected to care, and other reorientation skills like using a smartphone. You might not realize it, but for people who've been incarcerated, things like this can be big hurdles. 

Taryn: I work with Eugene on the CJI program and our District Attorney of New York (DANY) arrest diversion program that lets people avoid prison time for some drug offenses. I lead one-on-one harm reduction sessions, help people get trained to use Narcan, and set goals, big and small.

But it only works if there’s trust. Honesty is key to their success, and my ability to help them.

3.    Do participants always trust you right away, or do some just not even want to know you?

Eugene: A lot of participants don’t initially trust anyone, but they recognize me from going into prisons to meet people and leave flyers with my face on them—Arianne Watson and I would do that pre-pandemic. Then when we meet, I share my story. I was also incarcerated and utilized reorientation services. So, I let them know I also didn’t know the steps, but it worked out for me and if they let me, I’ll teach them the steps to keep themselves okay. 

Taryn: Initially, sure. But I let people know where I come from, and I don’t shy away from the truth. I let them know straight-up: I can’t make you be ready, but I can walk you through it and if you want to make it work, support you with that. And I think a lot of the people I work with appreciate that I won’t B.S. them and they won’t B.S. me.

4.    Tell me about a specific person in the program 

Eugene: We had a participant waiting to find permanent housing who went off the grid before he was assigned a residence. My colleague Taryn got a call from a local McDonalds where the participant was having a mental health crisis. We talked to him and found out he’d relapsed. 

I told him “pencils come with erasers, we can fix that.” We got him enrolled in a rehab facility right away, so he wouldn’t be in trouble with his parole officer. Sometimes there isn’t a happy ending, but we’re there. The clients know we care, and they appreciate that— a lot of them have never had that before.  

Taryn: A couple people come to mind, including the person Eugene mentioned. One person was diagnosed as schizophrenic and bipolar, and he had PTSD. He smoked K2 (synthetic marijuana) which he said made him stop hearing voices. He started opening up. And he wouldn’t talk to anyone but me. He went to our writing and art classes, and he wouldn’t even take the incentives offered. When he’d get arrested, he’d tell the police to call me.

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic?

Eugene: During the pandemic, we never closed. People were still being released from prison and needed housing or support. So we'd meet them somewhere in NYC, I'd find whatever NYC housing office was open and let them know we were coming. I went with our participants to help them understand their documents and sign forms. The big loss is that we couldn’t do big monthly meet and greets in the agency. Before the pandemic, we’d bring in people from the CJI program to get some food and soda, and while they were in, they could access other agency services. 

Taryn: CJI didn’t change at all. We connected clients to open HASA offices in Manhattan and the Bronx, and a YMCA in Queens. Eugene and I would go to HASA with our participants and bring survival backpacks with underwear, socks, t-shirts, phone, wallet, towel, lotion, and other basics and information on our services.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

Eugene: DJing—I made music with a Serato set a few weeks ago. My stage name is “DJ Unique” and my first gig is actually coming up soon, at a Paint and Sip. I’d also probably be deep into podcasting. I’d like to create a safe, non-judgmental space where people can really talk.  Lastly, I’d like to be by the water—because I grew up in the Hamptons, water makes me feel calm. 

Taryn: I’d love to be a high school/middle school basketball coach. I was a point guard. I’d love to be at a K-12 school so I could really see them grow, and see their journeys. I’d still be doing Narcan trainings and violence-prevention interventions, which I do in my community on my own time. Mrs. Brenda has always appreciated and encouraged us to bring these types of interventions into our own communities.

7.    Is there another question that I have not asked you that I should? 

Eugene: Yes, what’s my philosophy? It’s “do unto others as you’d have them do to you.” 

Taryn: Who is Taryn? A swimmer. I love to swim. I play basketball on Sundays with a lot of guys from my neighborhood. I’m a father. My youngest daughter is like my best friend. She loves to go go-karting, we electric scooter around our complex.

Alliance Voices at Barnes & Noble 2022

Before a crowd of over 50 people, poets Eugene Eppes, Harriet McNeill (a.k.a. Star Heed), Charles Waters, Azeem Khan, IA, and Rosa Velez read poems they have written. The event included readings from, and a memorial tribute to, Alliance poets we’ve lost in recent years.

After a three-year-hiatus from this event, it was great to be back in Barnes & Noble celebrating community, and the transformational powers of art and creativity. More photos of the event can be found HERE.

Alliance Voices Poetry Reading at Barnes & Noble August 2022

Photo: David Nager/Alliance

Alliance Continues ONE Condoms Partnership with Custom Condoms

You may have seen Alliance’s safer sex mascot Captain Condom on Instagram or in the community -- but did you know they also have their own custom condom line?

ONE Condoms, the manufacturer of the first condoms to ever receive FDA-approval for anal sex use, donated over 300 condoms with our mascot on the wrapper. The manufacturer also sent hundreds of other safer sex supplies including lip balms, beads, and more, that have found happy homes at outreach events and KIKI Balls.

And a new batch of custom Captain Condom wrappers is headed Alliance’s way this month, fresh from the manufacturer’s Boston headquarters.

“Creative condom outreach directly in communities always inspires us at ONE®,” said Milla Impola, Director of Marketing and Communications at ONE® Condoms. "From social posts and photos, we love seeing how Captain Condom brings smiles, sexual health supplies, and a whole lot of condom conversations to people across New York City.” 

ONE Condoms’ first batch of custom Captain Condom wrappers

Out in the community distributing custom ONE Condoms with Captain Condom

Nongendered superhero Captain Condom was conceived of by a small committee at Alliance, sketched by committee member Ashley Johnson, and brought to life by professional illustrator Gwen Blackman.

“The custom Captain Condom condoms have given people an opening to ask questions about safer sex,” said Guy Williams, Director of Prevention Services. “When they see our team in custom shirts with our cardboard mascot, and then the same images on the condom wrappers that we’re handing out, it really opens the door for conversations on the street from people who otherwise might not engage with us. Captain Condom lets people see the fun side of safer sex, and we appreciate ONE Condoms’ donation of these awesome custom condoms.”

The presence of Captain Condom, in wrapper form, and cardboard cutout, has also helped Alliance’s prevention teams with HIV testing, Williams said.

“Talking about sexual health isn’t always easy. Captain Condom is the sexual health superhero we’ve been dreaming about!” said Impola.

Follow Captain Condom’s adventures on Instagram @CaptainCondomNY, and read more Community Stories of ONE Condoms helping to promote safer sex at https://www.onecondoms.com/blogs/community-stories.

Alliance for Positive Change Announces New Board Members

(New York, N.Y.)—Alliance for Positive Change, which for three decades has provided low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions with access to quality health care, housing, and harm reduction, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors.

The three new Board Members are: Jennifer S. Gordon, Esq., of Paramount Global, Nick Holmes, MBA, of Microsoft, and Andres Nieto of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. All have begun two-year terms.

“Since our founding days, Alliance has always been fortunate to receive the expertise and knowledge of a committed Board that cares deeply about equity and opportunity,” said Board Chair William Toler. “We are incredibly grateful to welcome Jennifer, Nick and Andres, all whose expertise and passion for change will not only help our organization to grow but for our program participants to experience positive change.”

About Alliance for Positive Change

Alliance for Positive Change is a leading multiservice organization that provides low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions with access to quality health care, housing, harm reduction, coaching, and our renowned peer training and job placement program that cultivates leadership and economic mobility. Alliance opened in 1991, at the height of the HIV crisis—a welcoming community of transformation and opportunity. Today, we deliver on the promise of Positive Change with services and resources that equip people to navigate systemic inequities and achieve health and well-being. Learn about all the ways we inspire Positive Change at www.alliance.nyc.

Jennifer S. Gordon, Esq.

Nick Holmes, MBA

Andres Nieto

Portraits of Positive Change: Cycle 58 PREP Graduates Share Their Stories

Alliance’s Peer Recovery Education Program (PREP) Training launched in 1992 and has graduated over 1,500 people. PREP empowers people to learn more about health issues like HIV, safer sex, and substance use, bring prevention messages to their communities, and grow their careers.

The 58th PREP Graduation marked the first in-person graduation ceremony in almost three years and included a special address by Congressmember Carolyn B. Maloney, who was instrumental in securing federal funding for the program.

We spoke with four graduates to learn what motivated them to enroll in Alliance’s Peer program, and what was next for them.

Carmelo Adorno, at graduation, with Jean Pierre-Louis, and Joyce Myricks. Photo: David Nager/Alliance

Carmelo

Carmelo first came to Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center in 2015, to access sterile syringes and other harm reduction supplies and resources. LESHRC Peer Celeste—who values mentorship at Alliance—suggested he do some volunteer work with LESHRC and try to become a Peer.

“I’ve worked in customer service for years, and I’ve worked almost all the time since I’ve been out of prison. I started, but never finished college or my certificates like Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)” he said. “I wanted to get into the social work field, and share my lived experience, so I could give back to society.”

During Peer training, the class was reviewing different health diagnoses when one classmate began to cry. “I was consoling her, and it made me feel good, useful,” he said. “That’s the way I’m hoping to make people feel when I can use the Peer training. Everyone in these sessions was honest about what afflictions they had, and what they wanted moving forward.”

Barbara Walker. Photo: David Nager/Alliance

Barbara

Barbara has always been open about her HIV status and was interested in sharing knowledge and empowerment with others. She got involved with Alliance as part of her transition back to community life after incarceration through Alliance’s Criminal Justice Initiative. Alliance’s Eugene Eppes was her case manager, helping her find stable housing, and checking in on her frequently.

Eugene notes that what’s special about Alliance is “we have so many specialized programs, we don’t have to refer someone out—we can refer them in.” And he did. Barbara accessed many Alliance programs, including trainings, The Positive Life Workshop, Women Involved in Life Learning from Other Women (WILLOW), and others, absorbing skills and knowledge to share with her community.

Barbara was diagnosed with HIV in 1996, while pregnant with her son. “I felt dirty, poisoned, ashamed. I didn’t hide it, but I didn’t speak about it at first. People looked at me funny, and I came to feel that it was better for me to be open in sharing my story, to tell people about myself, rather than them tell me about me with their preconceived notions,” she said.

Barbara hopes to become a case worker at Alliance or another nonprofit where she can work with people who’ve faced similar challenges.

Brittany Gomez. Photo: David Nager/Alliance

Brittany

One of our two graduation speakers, Brittany was the youngest member of training cycle 58. She was kicked out of her home at 17 and began using drugs, in her words, “chaotically.” Nine years ago, she stopped using.

“This was the first time I felt supported in a safe, learning environment,” says Brittany. “The atmosphere was important for me. No other agency gave me the level of support I got the second I walked through Alliance’s doors. What I didn’t get in middle school, high school, or anywhere else, I got from Alliance.”

Barbara became close with Brittany given their similar childhoods, “even though she’s two decades younger than me,” said Barbara. They encouraged each other throughout the five-week course.

Brittany wants to be a Peer Advocate and help people dealing with substance use, mental health crises, homelessness, and other health-related issues.

Havanna Knight Carey presenting for the class. Photo: David Nager/Alliance

Havanna

Havanna came to our Peer training seeking community and perspective. Havanna identifies as an Afro-Latina transwoman from the Bronx. A strong advocate for transwomen, she’d looked for opportunities to connect more with her community. At Alliance, she joined our Transgender Women Involved in Strategies for Transformation (TWIST) program, and then signed up for our Peer training.

“I was developing my transness, and needed something to help me feel like I was worthy, and contributing to society,” Havanna told us. She’s been frustrated by not seeing women like her in the private sector, where she has worked in retail management, as a certified welder, and in other trades. “Transwomen aren’t seen as worthy of being in leadership, and I wanted to dive into this community here at Alliance, where I can see women of the transgender experience, as well as the need for my perspective.”

Peer training helped Havanna learn about health issues—and about herself. She gained skills to explore her own emotional triggers, as she puts it, “my non-verbal cues—how I react to stress, and anger. My boyfriend sees the change in the way I communicate verbally and non-verbally. Other people see it too.”

“I never thought I could be in social work,” says Havanna, “but I learned so much about getting through to people, hearing their stories. They might not want to be ‘fixed,’ they just want to be heard. Peer training was the first time I really learned to use my listening skills.”

All graduates of the Cycle 58 Peer Training attended every single class. Anecdotes from Cycle 58 showcase the deep bond and moments of levity that they group shared together. Brittany wrote Carmelo a note at the end of the training, saying that she had learned a lot from him and to make sure he always keeps fighting. Barbara recalled a teambuilding experience where her team was asked to do an innovative educational presentation on safer sex. Partnering with Brittany, Charles, and Delon, she made the choice to demonstrate safe condom application on an ear of corn. Everyone loved it.

Learn more at alliance.nyc/path-to-jobs.

Alliance Featured on NYN for HIV Testing Day

Alliance’s Director of community engagement and testing Arianne Watson spoke with NYN Media about our exciting partnership with the national Greater than AIDS partnership to provide more HIV tests.

Throughout the year, but especially during Pride Month, Alliance provides free rapid HIV tests at our offices across Manhattan and Alliance on the Move.

“It’s free at Alliance. It’s a simple finger prick. We provide pre and post-test counseling if any individuals come up positive and we can triage them to care,” said Arianne.

Alliance Issues Statement on Supreme Court's Reversal of Roe v. Wade

We are devastated and enraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down Roe v. Wade. Our Supreme Court has stripped us of our human rights, bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom. Our government has said that women are second class citizens. Americans are allowed to choose whether or not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but female Americans are not allowed to choose how to manage our own bodies. We can carry guns, but we can’t make reproductive health decisions.

Abortion is healthcare. ​Healthcare is a human right.

We need to stand up, raise our voices, and fight back to reclaim, maintain and sustain women’s freedom to choose, and every American’s fundamental right to access safe and quality healthcare.