Project Name: Puerto Rican Cultural Prevention Navigator
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) proposes providing substance abuse, HIV, and
Hepatitis prevention services for Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals who have sex with men (TSM) who are HIV positive or at risk for HIV/AIDS living in metropolitan Chicago who are at high-risk for substance use disorder (SUD). PRCC will also provide or partner with organizations to provide assistance with basic needs and supportive services so that our target population remains engaged in HIV, VH, and substance use services. In addition, PRCC will leverage existing resources within our organization, such as existing partnerships and collaborations, certified HIV and Hepatitis counseling and testing staff, and staff who has vast experience working with the target population. The target population resides in Chicago and is located in Cook County in northeastern Illinois. Chicago’s metropolitan area is the third largest in the United States. Nearly 75% of the population of the state of Illinois lives in the Chicago metropolitan area, which covers over 7000 square miles. Whites remain a majority (45%), followed by African Americans (29%), Latinos (28%), and Asians (6%). From 2000-2010, both White and African-American populations saw reduced numbers of 4.7% and 4.3% respectively. The largest growth was between Latinos (1.8 million) and Asians (more than 500,000) populations, representing a growth of 29.4% and 36.6% respectively.
In 2019, an estimated 1,189,700 people had HIV.
reported male-to-male sexual contact are disproportionately affected by HIV. Social and
Gay, bisexual, and other men who
structural issues—such as HIV stigma, homophobia, discrimination, poverty, and limited access
to high-quality health care—influence health outcomes and continue to drive inequities.
Hispanic/Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact are
disproportionately affected by HIV. In 2019, Black/African American gay and bisexual men
accounted for 26% (9,421) of the 36,801 new HIV diagnoses and 37% of new diagnoses among
all gay and bisexual men. Nearly 1 million people identify as transgender in the United States
(US), and transgender people made up 2% (671) of new HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent
areas in 2019.
PRCC objectives are as follows:
Number of Unduplicated Individuals to be Served with Award Funds
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
225 225 225 225. 225
Total 1,125
1. By the end of project years 2-5, PRCC will provide the Respect Intervention (HIV testing) to 300 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men. Year 1 will have 9 months of direct services and provide Respect to 75 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men.
2. By the end of project years 2-5, PRCC will provide Hepatitis C testing 600 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men. Year 1 will have 9 months of direct services and provide Hepatitis C testing to 150 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men.
3. By the end of project years 2-5, PRCC will provide the Mpowerment intervention to 100 Hispanic men. Year 1 will have 9 months of direct services and provide Mpowerment to 50 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men.
4. By the end of project year 2-5, PRCC will provide the 3MV intervention to 50 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men. Year 1 will have 9 months of direct services and provide 3MV to 25 Hispanic/Latinx/Black men.