[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
BPHN Celebrates Black History Month with Series of Events
Also Highlights Importance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness in February
BRONX – February 2020 – The Bronx Parent Housing Network, Inc. (BPHN) is celebrating Black History Month and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the month of February with a series of events, and a reminder that BPHN exists to help anyone of any background who struggles with homelessness, food insecurity, or is suffering from HIV/AIDS.
“Many people say the economy is booming, but the situation is far more dire for our clients, which represents thousands of New Yorkers. We celebrate Black History Month in February, but also consider the disproportionate number of people of color who are suffering from homelessness and HIV/AIDS,” said Victor M. Rivera, President and Chief Executive Officer of BPHN, once a homeless man himself. “We are proud to celebrate the Black Heritage of so many of our staff and clients and also to recognize the struggle of black people and all people of color.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (this year celebrated on February 7) is an annual opportunity to help reduce HIV among African Americans by promoting HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. National HIV prevention efforts are reducing the burden of HIV infection among some African Americans, but more progress is needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2018, blacks/African Americans accounted for 13% of the U.S. population but accounted for 42% of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas.
The following events, among others, will be taking place in various BPHN locations to celebrate of Black History Month.
February 19
4 p.m. Promise Place and The Gate will host a Black History month paint events.
February 21
1:30 p.m. New Life will host program discussing African American inventors will and provide coloring books with African American historical figures to its youngest clients.
February 24
4.p.m. The Gate will host a Family Feud game day.
February 26
5:30-7 p.m.: Victor’s Family Residence will hold a black history game night.
February 27
3:30 p.m.: Sandra’s Family will host Black Movie Day 2/27 (330) and Talent show on 2/28 3pm).
4 p.m.: Lanet’s Place will be celebrating the Garifuna culture of Honduras with guests performing the native dance Punta with drumming originating from its African roots.
February 28
11 a.m.: Briggs Housing Residence will host a Black History coloring theme event.
1:30 p.m. Life Together will host a presentation about African American figures and organize games such as bingo. Clients have received a paper hand where they have been asked to write down their dream. Administrators will post the hands on the “I HAVE A DREAM” bulletin board to signify unity.
3 p.m.: Sandra’s Family will host a talent show.
3:30 p.m.: Promise Place will host Black History oral presentations and a dance performance.
About Bronx Parent Housing Network, Inc.
Bronx Parent Housing Network (BPHN) was created in 2001 to address street homelessness with the goal of finding permanent housing for each and every homeless person in New York City. Victor M. Rivera, who is one of the founders, and now serves as President and CEO, himself was homeless and experienced desperation and despondence through much of his young life, experience that has informed his work and his vision, and is credited with making BPHN what it is today. BPHN has grown from a fledgling organization with a $700,000 budget, to now managing contracts totaling approximately $80 million, offering housing and support services that span over 80 building sites throughout New York City. This explosive growth symbolizes not only BPHN’s comprehensive expertise as a housing provider, but demonstrates a unique depth of understanding of homelessness and the ability to continuously seek out opportunities to adequately address gaps and build capacity along the entire housing spectrum from street homeless, to stabilization beds, to long-term transitional and ultimately permanent housing. For more information about BPHN please visit our website: https://bphn.org/ [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
