Peer Support Services directly responds to people who are infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS by providing a myriad of peer-led social support activities, including support groups for HIV positive young men in their twenties, HIV+ straight women and men group, HIV positive gay and bisexual mens group, two long term survivors groups. Peer Support Services also collaborates with the  SPARK Center, where HIV+ youth ages 13 to 24 serve as mentors to younger HIV+ children in an after-school program called the Ticket program.

Positive Prevention is a specific program working with gay, bisexual or MSM identified men living with HIV. Positive Prevention offers individualized, one-on-one support for the recently diagnosed, and magnetic Couples services, where one partner is HIV-negative and the other HIV positive. It provides support and education for those around topics such as medications, relationships, sexual health, assertiveness, stigma, disclosure, substance use, communication with doctors, dealing with side effects, self care, and more. Positive Prevention group interventions are done with collaboration with the Boston Living Center and include the L.I.F.E. Program and Healthy Relationships, focused specifically on the HIV+ gay, bi, MSM population.

We also offer educational and social opportunities for those living with HIV. Thrive Monday is held every second Monday of the month, and offers a free meal, educational session, and social activities with music in a social environment.

Peer Support also offers training for building professional competency among those providing Peer Support already, or those who are interested in becoming Peer Leaders or involved with peer support programs. Peer Support Services has offered a new training series consisting of 3 introductory half day trainings weekly, and additional 3 full-day advanced trainings. Check out the Trainings section to learn more, and contact Alex Buell for registration.

Peer Support Services of JRI Health is funded in part by the Boston Public Health Commission Ryan White Part A and Part D

Positive Prevention is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health