July 2, 2021
PLWHA and Adults Ages 12 and Older Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and adults ages 12 years and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
City-run vaccination sites do not require appointments, but if you want to schedule an appointment you can do so easily by going to nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or calling 877-VAX-4NYC.
NYC will also bring the vaccine to you! Anyone living in the five boroughs can register for an in-home vaccination at nyc.gov/homevaccine or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC.
Before Your Appointment
You will need to complete the New York State (NYS) COVID-19 Vaccine Form found at vaccineform.health.ny.gov in order to get vaccinated. NYS requires the healthcare provider administering the vaccine to check that you completed the form.
You must bring proof of age to your vaccination. You will not need to provide proof of immigration status or a social security number to get vaccinated. ID is only required for proof of age. When you receive the vaccine, your privacy will be protected. Before you visit a vaccination site, keep the
following tips in mind:
- Reschedule your appointment if you are not feeling well on the day of your appointment.
- Wear a face covering to your appointment. You will not be allowed into the site without one.
For more information on vaccine safety and effectiveness, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.
Note: GMHC does not provide COVID-19 vaccines. Please see link below for updates on vaccines in New York City.
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMHC is actively working to support our clients. While our building may be closed, many of GMHC’s core programs and services remain active. Please note that we are delivering most of our services remotely at this time, except where indicated.
We are continuously working to enhance and expand our services to ensure our community members are well cared for, stable, and safe. Keep visiting this page for updates, or email COVID@gmhc.org for information about how to receive GMHC services and connect with GMHC staff, as well as general questions and referrals.
Active Services and Contacts
ACRIA
Staff are conducting virtual workshops and continually updating the HIV & Aging website with information on COVID-19: aginghiv.org
Contact: Nelly Maina, director of ACRIA, nellyma@gmhc.org
Action Center
Action Center staff are connecting with Action Center members and will soon be co-sponsoring a virtual general body meeting with the Consumer Advisory Board (CAB).
Contact: Angel Soto, senior organizer, angels@gmhc.org, 929-387-2716
Advocacy/Access to Healthcare:
Staff are taking calls, advocating for clients with HASA, making referrals for services such as food, assisting clients to complete ADAP applications, and doing health insurance enrollments through the Marketplace.
Contacts: Olivia Gaillard, senior health navigator, oliviag@gmhc.org, 917-402-3251
Alexandra Remmel, client advocate, alexandrar@gmhc.org, 917-379-6934
Community Health
Staff are checking in with clients who receive one-on-one services. All groups are being conducted virtually.
Contact: Melvin Bruce II, director of community health, melvinb@gmhc.org
Consumer Advisory Board (CAB)
CAB staff and members are interconnecting and holding daily phone conferences. Consumers’ concerns can be directed to the listed contact below.
Contact: Anderson Solano, CAB administrative coordinator, andersons@gmhc.org, 212-367-1193
Financial Management
Staff are working one-on-one with clients over the phone. Checks will be administered to clients by mail, TD Bank card, or in person on pay dates.
Contact: Dayana Flores, senior financial management case worker,
Healthy Aging
Staff are working one-on-one with clients remotely and providing assessments for mental health and substance use services.
Contact: Michelle Lopez, healthy aging specialist, michellel@gmhc.org
HOPWA Supportive Housing, HUD COC Housing and Safety in Housing:
Supportive Housing is providing one-on-one phone or webchat services to all housing clients.
Contact: Daisy Guzman, housing case manager, daisyg@gmhc.org, 917-669-5499
Hotline:
Staff are taking calls and answering emails providing information, referrals, and support to those in need. All voicemails will be returned within 24 business hours.
Contact: Lynnette Ford, senior vice president, programs & prevention services, lynnettef@gmhc.org.
Intake:
Staff are providing remote (via-phone) intake services, for clients who wish to become a GMHC client and access services. We are also contacting clients in need of reassessments and conducting reassessments via phone. Staff will assess client needs and make referrals as appropriate both internally and externally.
Contact: Denise Parada, senior intake specialist, denisep@gmhc.org, 212-367-1133
Legal Services
Staff are providing legal services remotely through email and telephone.
Civil Legal:
Civil Legal is remotely providing the full range of services listed on the website. For more information or assistance, please contact:
Contact: Jonathan Russo, director of civil legal, legal@gmhc.org; 212-367-1326
Immigration:
Legal Immigration offers representation in a variety of matters, including asylum, naturalization applications, work authorization, adjustment of status, replacement of permanent residence cards, alien relative petitions, immigrant visa processing, and removal proceedings. We also provide domestic violence immigration-related services, including VAWA self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, and U-visa applications. Our attorneys and representatives are taking calls and scheduling appointments for immigration-related needs and providing services remotely through email and telephone.
Contacts: Babatunde Tinubu, senior supervising attorney, legalimmigration@gmhc.org, 212-367-1254
Vishal Trivedi, director of immigration services, immigrationlegal@gmhc.org; 212-367-1308
Spanish speakers: Yanira Gomez-Lopez, senior legal advocate, legalimmigration@gmhc.org, 212-367-1328
Meals & Nutrition:
If you are a current GMHC client in need of food, please email MealsHelp@gmhc.org, so we can assess the best way we can help you.
Contact: MealsHelp@gmhc.org
If you are interested in nutrition services including remote nutrition counseling and virtual nutrition education groups.
Contact: Nutrition@gmhc.org
Mental Health and Substance Use Services:
Staff are conducting phone sessions with clients.
Contact: Kipper Sanchez, managing director of mental health and substance use services, kristobals@gmhc.org
Testing:
The GMHC Testing Center will be open for HIV/STI testing by appointment only at 307 West 38th Street, NYC. Please click here to make an appointment or call us at 212-367-1100. After you schedule your appointment, you should use the link provided by email to complete your intake paperwork online.
Alternately, you may order a free HIV Self-test Kit if you would prefer to test yourself. Click here for more information.
Wellness:
Clients are encouraged to utilize the links to wellness activities that may help with lowering stress and increasing energy levels during this time.
Contact: Donna Pine, director of client wellness services, donnap@gmhc.org
20-Minute Pilates for Beginners
Beginner’s Meditation (Part 1)
Beginner’s Meditation (Part 2)
10-Minute Chakra Balance Meditation
Workforce Development:
Workforce Development staff are providing case management and retention services to enrolled clients deemed essential by the city and state. Staff will travel to clients to collect pay stubs and distribute MetroCards.
Contact: April Watkins, managing director of workforce development, aprilw@gmhc.org
