External Resources

Hotlines

CDC HIV/AIDS and STD Hotline
Anonymous, confidential HIV/AIDS and STD information, including referrals to appropriate services, local hotlines, counseling and testing sites. Run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
T: 800-232-4636

GLBT National Help Center
Telephone volunteers in their teens and early 20s speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information.
T: 800-246-PRIDE (800-246-7743) or 888-843-4564

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Counseling and referral service for young people suffering from all kinds of abuse. Offers three-way counseling and communication in 140 languages.
T: 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
TTY for the deaf: 800-2-A-CHILD (800-222-4453)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Referral services link victims of domestic violence to local programs. Operators speak both Spanish and English and have access to translators for individuals speaking other languages.
T: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)
TTY for the deaf: 800-787-3224

National Runaway Switchboard
Links youth and families across the country to shelters, counseling, medical assistance and other vital services.
T: 800/RUNAWAY (800-786-2929)

General Resources

Advocates for Youth
Information, training and advocacy to youth-serving organizations, policymakers and the media to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health.

The Body
Offers a wide range of HIV/AIDS information (including frequently asked questions) on transmission, testing and counseling services, safer sex and resources for HIV-positive people.

Go Ask Alice!
Question-and-answer format addresses relationships, sexuality, sexual health, emotional health, fitness and nutrition, drugs and alcohol and general health. Read other people’s questions and submit your own. Administered by Columbia University’s Health Education Program.

National HIV Testing Resources
Helps locate the nearest HIV testing site and gives comprehensive information on testing, including procedures, who should consider being tested, and definitions of anonymous and confidential testing. A service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Helps locate/research the nearest clinic providing reproductive health services, including birth control, STD screenings, HIV tests and prenatal care. Offers confidential services for teens.
T: 800-230-PLAN (800-230-7526)

Resources for Youth

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Focused on ensuring safe schools for all students by supporting, training and providing resources to student organizers and more than 3,000 gay-straight alliances.

Sex, Etc.
Information on sexual health written by teens and for teens. Includes personal stories, a question-and-answer section and sounding board. Sponsored by Answer, a part of the Center for Applied Psychology at Rutgers University.

Scarleteen
Comprehensive sex and sexuality education for young people, specifically toward young men, young women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

Teenwire
Addresses a wide range of teen sexual health issues including information on HIV/AIDS and testing procedures. Run by Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Resources for Youth in NYC

Covenant House
Open 24 hours for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. Offers safe emergency shelter for up to 30 days plus food, counseling and health services.
460 West 41 Street, New York, NY 10036
T: 800-999-9999

The Door
Center providing youth aged 12 to 20 with healthcare, counseling, education, legal services, arts and recreation.
121 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 100013
T: 212-941-9090

Hetrick-Martin Institute
Services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, including counseling; food and showers; GED, college and career assistance; and HIV/STI and pregnancy testing.
2 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003
T: 212-674-2400
24-hour suicide hotline: 866-488-7386 and 800-543-3638

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center)
Programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) New Yorkers, including Youth Enrichment Services, an activities-based program for LGBTQ youth.
208 West 13 St., New York, NY 10011
T: 212-620-7310

DYCD Youth Connect
Youth-staffed referral and support line helps youth resolve family conflicts and relationship problems, find local after-school and recreation programs, and get access to healthcare and HIV resources. Sponsored by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
T: 800-246-4646

Safe Horizon
Provides services for victims of violence and abuse, including counseling, emergency housing and referrals. Works to make schools safe and provides services for homeless and street-involved youth.
2 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10007
T: 800-621-HOPE (800-621-4673)

Resources for Parents

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

Talking with Kids
Resources and techniques for talking to your kids about HIV/AIDS, sex, violence, drugs and alcohol. Sponsored by Children Now and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
Resources that empower parents and caregivers to communicate with their children about issues related to sexual health and sexuality. Tools to help family members become advocates for comprehensive sex education.

Resources for Educators

Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education
Operates a Speakers Bureau of HIV-positive speakers and trained health educators who conduct prevention workshops throughout the NYC metropolitan area. Also distributes the Ali Gertz: In Her Own Words educational video and lesson guide, trains peer educators/advocates through LEAP for Girls, and advocates for young people’s right to HIV/AIDS education.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
Advocates for comprehensive education about sexuality and sexual health services. Provides resources to help educators, advocates and parents secure supportive public policies, provide high-quality education, and help youth become sexually healthy.

Scenarios USA
Sponsors a writing contest for young people, in which winners are partnered with professional filmmakers and crew, who help them translate their stories into short films on issues pertinent to young people’s lives, including body image, healthy relationships, HIV/STIs and teen pregnancy. Films are available online or for purchase.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt
Made up of more than 40,000 individual squares, each memorializing the life of a person lost to HIV/AIDS. Operates the National Youth Education Program in order to display the quilt and provide targeted HIV prevention for youth.

CDC National Prevention Information Network
Develops, identifies, collects and distributes information on the prevention, treatment and control of HIV/AIDS.
T: 800-458-5231 (English and Spanish)
TTY for the deaf: 800-243-7012

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Focused on ensuring safe schools for all students by providing lesson plans, curricular tools and teacher training programs.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center)
Offers programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) New Yorkers, including staff development and student training opportunities to NYC public schools.
T: 212-620-7310

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Provides up-to-date information and analysis on health issues (including HIV/AIDS) for policymakers, the media and the general public.