BROOKLYN, New York.- The New York State Department of Health (DOH) made a one-year grant of $10,000 to the Brooklyn-based Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) to carry out HIV/AIDS awareness and education targeting Haitian immigrants and others living in the Brooklyn’s section of Flatbush.

This is the second year BRA has received the funding through a Legislative Member Item of Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs of the 42nd Assembly District. “We know that there are many, many needs out there. In a series of programs, we will focus on health issues of our community in particular, in an effort to combat the drastic effects of HIV/AIDS. Ignorance and silence can be deadly,” said Assemblywoman Jacobs.

The message of HIV and AIDS is transmitted to the community via radio waves at the Flatbush-based Radio Soleil. Speakers who are Health and HIV/AIDS experts are recruited to speak to listeners in their mother tongue – Haitian Kreyol – about the danger of the virus and prevention. After each session, listeners are provided with phone numbers and referrals to receive HIV/AIDS-related materials, testing, condoms or treatment. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to join the Batey Relief Alliance in bringing a very important program of information and education to increase the well being and empowerment of our community,” added Jacobs.

The Batey Relief Alliance also implements, in partnership with the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, USAID and the Dominican Ministry of Health, a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and antiretroviral treatment program inside the bateyes of the Dominican Republic.

For more information about the humanitarian health and HIV/AIDS work of the BRA, please visit the organization’s website at www.bateyrelief.org or contact Ulrick Gaillard at (917) 627-5026 or bra@bateyrelief.org.