The Louverture Residence
It has become common knowledge that temporary shelters and the streets are medically inappropriate and inhumane for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA’s). To address this dire situation – social service organizations have developed creative and effective solutions. One of the solutions is a supportive housing program for PLWHA’s and the Haitian Centers Council has such a program – the Louverture Residence. It is a welcomed solution for the community and a reasonable alternative for most.
The Louverture Residence (LR) is a congregate housing program launched in 1990. The acclaimed Supportive Housing model guides this successful housing program. It offers convenience, safety, and more importantly, individualized attention to the service needs of its residents under the same roof! Initially the goal of this unique housing program was to provide psychosocial and medical services to Haitians living with HIV/AIDS. However, HCC recognized the changing face of PLWHA’s and we expanded the program focus and services. The program not only included Haitians, but also individuals who live in NYC with the same diagnosis. Our dynamic program has been graciously supported and funded over the years by the Human Resources Administration of NYC, Ryan White and various New York State agencies.
Louverture’s services have been designed and fine-tuned to help PLWHA’s and their families build stable and productive lives. The residence is located in the heart of Crown Heights, Brooklyn where its well-trained and committed staff provides culturally competent services in a positive and encouraging environment. LR is conveniently located near the subway and various bus routes.
Core Values
The core values that guide us in helping our residents and their families are:
· Compassion
· Commitment
· Patience
· Professionalism
Goals
Our primary goal is to empower our residents to create a stable and productive life. To help fuel this process, spouses, family and significant others of the residents are always welcomed to participate, if they choose to. We also strive to create a safe and pleasant environment in which residents and their loved ones can feel at home.
To help achieve these goals, our staff has created the following objectives:
+ To facilitate and inform clients on how to move from dependency to self-sufficiency.
+ To help clients regain their self esteem.
+ To help clients acquire various skills so they can adequately plan for the future.
+ To encourage clients to break the vicious cycle of drug use.
+ To identify and facilitate the appropriate service referrals for vocational training, job
placement as well as rehabilitation and family reunification.
+ To improve service delivery and outcomes by continuous training and education.
+ To create/implement innovative approaches to serving our clients and their families.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a critical element of our programs and service delivery. Our building does not contain any signs on the façade referring to our program. It looks like any other building on the block and therefore residents are more at ease and more comfortable in their surroundings.
We are HIPPA compliant and adhere to NYS/NYC laws on client/patient information and disclosure. Medical charts are secured in locked cabinets where only clinical staff has access to them. After the resident has given signed consent, pertinent information for treatment may be shared with other medical providers. Residents have the right to disclose their status to friends and loved ones at a time of their own convenience. It is never revealed through staff.
General Description of Louverture
LR is a well-maintained, elevated, and wheelchair accessible four-story building with 16 apartments consisting of 4 apartments on each floor. There are 8 one-bedroom apartments and 8 two-bedroom apartments. All apartments are fully furnished with a private bathroom, smoke alarms, air conditioner, and a television. In addition, residents can use free laundry services.
One of the important features of the Louverture Residence is security. We provide 24-hour security with security guards stationed at the reception area. To complement this service, each apartment has an intercom system that allows direct communication with our Security staff. In case of an emergency or other urgent situation, this feature allows residents to communicate with the security guard without having to leave their apartment. The intercom system encourages a continuous flow of communication.
We presently have 36 people living in the building - 23 are adults and 13 are children who are receiving program services. The residents speak several languages including English, Spanish and Haitian/Creole. Many of the residents are either mothers with children who were abandoned by their husbands when these mothers were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, or men and women with/without children who were kicked out of their homes and rejected by their families because of their diagnosis. Many of these individuals at one time were compelled to go to a shelter or were homeless on the streets.
Services
Since there is an extensive menu of services offered, we will only list the major services. If you wish a full listing and description of services, please feel free to contact either Dr. Andre Peck, Program Director or Dr. Carnegie Valery, Clinical Director or Mr. Jacques Vilfort, Residence Manager by phone at 718.221.9640 or by e-mail at APeck@hccinc.org or CValery@hccinc.org or JVilfort@hccinc.org.
· Case Management, Advocacy, and Service Referrals
· Educational Workshops on a variety of topics including GED preparation, ESL, Continuing Education, College and Health Information.
· Health Monitoring and Medical Treatment Referrals
· Home Visits
· Mental Health Counseling
· Men’s and Women’s Support Groups
· Nutritional Counseling and Medication Compliance
· One-on-one HIV/AIDS Prevention Education, Counseling and Support
· Recreational Therapy/Structured Socialization Group
· Skills-building workshops on Independent Living, Activities of Daily Living, Coping, and Relapse Prevention
· Substance Abuse Counseling
· Tutoring for residents and their children
Generally, our residents receive their medical treatment at the hospital of their choice.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to become a resident at LR, a referral is required from a housing specialist at NYC’s HRA (Human Resources Administration) Dept. of Social Services/ HASA (HIV/AIDS Services Administration). All clients must have the ability to function independently in an apartment and have the need for supportive housing services. Additional criteria also include having the willingness and the means to pay 30% of the monthly rent from SSI benefits that are received. If you know someone who could benefit from a supportive housing program or would like more information, please call HASA at 212.971.0626 or look on the web at http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/medical_insurance/hasa.shtml .
Success stories
Since opening the doors of Louverture in 1996, our dedicated staff has faced many challenges and obstacles. We have addressed and continue to address these issues through creativity, patience, and an untiring commitment to helping our residents.
What reminds us constantly of how important our program and community work is the success story. We would like to share several success stories with you. Please note that the residents’ names have been changed to protect their privacy and to maintain confidentiality.
Story #1
Ms. TF, then 24 years old, moved to Louverture Residence in December 1996 with her 3-year-old son. At admission, she had: AIDS with wasting syndrome, episodes of suicidal ideation, a history of PCP pneumonia, and a CD4 count of 10. She was also doing drugs intermittently. Fortunately, her son was HIV negative and had been doing fine. The father of her baby was completely absent from the picture and Ms. TF’s own family had rejected and ostracized her.
Ms. TF spent four years at LR and during this time, she regained her self-esteem and understood the importance of staying compliant with her medication. This was achieved through our programs and counseling. Because of her immediate enrollment in a substance abuse treatment program, she was able to turn her drug habits around completely and became 100% drug free. Eventually she completed her GED and now works as a counselor in a drug treatment program where she met her husband who also works there as a counselor.
Ms. TF ultimately left the program for a good reason - she was moving to her own apartment and her CD4 count improved to 950!! She also had completely regained all her weight and her viral load was undetectable. Her son was doing fine.
Story #2
In 1996, Ms. MT was in her mid thirties when she came to the Louverture Residence. She was diagnosed with AIDS in 1990 and was a MICA client. She was also facing other issue like prostitution, domestic violence, and suicide attempts. On three separate occasions, Ms. MT attempted to end to her life. The first two attempts were through medication overdose for which she was hospitalized and released; her last attempt left her almost dead when she jumped from a 13 story building. She somehow managed to survive.
When she came to Louverture, her general attitude was negative, angry, and depressed. Her attitude gradually changed because of her increased motivation, counseling and the supported housing program and activities. She regained her self- esteem over time and is now very proud of her apartment that she keeps immaculate. Ms. MT comes to our office everyday to receive her medication. With treatment and individualized attention from the staff, her suicidal days are now behind her.
She now sees the staff as her family and participates in all our activities. Ms MT’s viral load is now undetectable! She looks and feels great. In fact, she has now a significantly better relationship with her family. She is very proud of her grand children - who are the joy of her life. Ms. MT has stated more than several times that Louverture has given her life back and does not know what she would do without it.
Here are more recent success stories -
Story #3
Mr. and Mrs. LR moved to the Louverture Residence in 1998. Both had AIDS and felt that they contracted the virus through long years of drug abuse and sharing needles. At the time of admission, their CD4 count was low and their viral load reached astronomical numbers. The clinical staff suggested that they receive substance abuse treatment almost immediately. They agreed and placed in a substance abuse treatment program. To help the process of recovery, they had individual sponsors assigned to them. During their recovery and rehabilitation, they participated in many individual and group counseling sessions that they attended faithfully. Since they were deeply religious, they also found strength through their church.
After several years, Mr. LR returned to work and became an AIDS peer educator where he has been helping others overcome their personal demons. Mrs. LR earned her GED and is now a peer educator as well. They have completely turned their lives around and built a strong wall socially, emotionally, and psychologically between them and their old behavior and habits.
Today, Mr. and Mrs. LR’s viral loads are both undetectable and their CD4 count is very high. They actively participate in our activities and urge other residents to pursue their goals and aspirations. They are now planning to move to independent living because they feel strongly that they have overcome their worse difficulties. Mr. and Mrs. LR are confident that they will realize their goals.
Story #4
Mr. HD is in his late fifties and came to us with serious concerns. He had hemiparesis of the right side of the body, diagnosed with diabetes and AIDS and fighting alcoholism. Mr. HD looked at his situation as a death sentence, was completely down, and depressed. Since it was identified that he had physical problems, a home health aide was assigned to his care almost immediately after admission. It was also identified that Mr. HD had a substance abuse/alcohol problem. Subsequently, treatment was recommended and accepted; he was then placed in a substance abuse treatment program.
After many counseling sessions, some men’s group sessions and treatment, Mr. HD developed an understanding that AIDS was not a death sentence, but his behavior was! He started to understand the association between alcoholism, diabetes, AIDS and longevity.
Today, Mr. HD’s viral load is undetectable and participates in all our in-house activities. His diabetes is controlled through diet and medication; his HIV/AIDS medication is taken religiously and has become gradually more engaged in his treatment by keeping his doctor’s appointments.
Pictures of Louverture Residence
Thank you for taking the time to read about our Supported Housing Program! Since we are unable to show you personally our dynamic residence and program – you can still see it online by clicking the pictures below.