Meeting the health needs our neighbors and  communities is our business.

Project STAY (Services to Assist Youth) utilizes a venue-based HIV screening approach to provide services for young people in high schools, alternative high schools, colleges, community colleges, workforce development programs, agencies serving the formerly incarcerated and organizations serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. We also provide services at Pride events, Kiki balls, House balls, health fairs and a range of other community locations. 

Currently, over 25 community-based organizations are part of the Project STAY network. Project STAY holds STI and HIV testing and workshops at our partner agencies, conducts Zoom workshops for staff and participants, and tables at events. Project STAY is also a resource for participants at these agencies to receive STI or HIV treatment, PEP, PrEP, contraception, gender-affirming care including hormone replacement therapy, primary care, and immunizations at our New York Presbyterian Hospital based clinics. 

Interested in getting connected with Project STAY?

Email our outreach team! 

Renee Cohall, Director of Outreach rmc49@cumc.columbia.edu

Kayleigh Barrett, MPH, Project Coordinator kfb2118@cumc.columbia.edu


On-site HIV & STI testing 

Our health educators provide rapid HIV testing and 3-site STI testing (oral, anal, urine) on-site at community events or agency offices. 

health education workshops

Whether virtually or in-person, our health educators give 30-45 minutes workshops on sexual health myths, the importance of testing, and linkages to care. 

linkages to our clinic

We provide referrals to community organization’s staff and client-base from birth control to hormone replacement therapy. 

outreach support and coordination 

We coordinate with community-based organizations and agencies to tailor on-site testing or educational workshops to their needs. 

New Alternatives for LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth 

New Alternatives increases the self-sufficiency of LGBTQ+ homeless youth by enabling them to transition out of the shelter system to stable adult lives. The organization provides long-term social and community support and has invited Project STAY to provide on-site HIV and STI testing as well as linkages and referrals our clinic for over 5 years. 

Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)

CEO offers individuals just coming home from prison the ongoing support necessary to build career capital and financial stability. They provide job–readiness training, transitional employment, job coaching and placement, and retention services. Project STAY provides one-on-one health counseling and on-site HIV and STI testing to participants during their orientation process. 

Knit the Rainbow 

Knit the Rainbow was founded in 2020 to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth in New York City survive the brutal winters. KtR works to empower and protect these youth by providing them with handmade knit and crochet winter clothing accessories distributed through community centers and other access points for social services including shelters. Project STAY has coordinated awareness events including a Sip and Stitch night for students that also provided free, on-site HIV and STI testing. Our contact information to free health care services can be found on the backside of KtR’s garment tags found on every piece of donated clothing. 

Fashion Institute of Technology

Project STAY has been a long time partner of FIT’s Health Center, providing on-site HIV and STI testing as well as individualized sexual health counseling every Friday for students. We work closely with their compassionate staff of physicians, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners to coordinate care plans for the students we connect with for seamless treament and referrals. 

Midtown Community Court 

Midtown Community Court (MCC) is part of the New York City Criminal Court that focuses on quality-of-life offenses, such as prostitution, shoplifting, farebeating and vandalism, with a view toward rehabilitation instead of punishment. Project STAY health educators provide bi-weekly sexual health workshops to better link participants to care while completing court-mandated community service hours. 

Harlem Pride 

Harlem Pride works to empower Harlem’s SGL/LGBTQ community to improve its physical, mental and economic health and wellness. Project STAY has been a proud partner with NYP for their annual Pride celebration.