Fire Destroys Detroit HIV/AIDS Center for Young Black Gay/Bi Men

Very unfortunate news to report from Detroit. A fast-moving electrical fire destroyed the R.E.C. Boyz Center, "considered one of the top five HIV prevention programs nationwide" targeting young Black men who have sex with other men, reports PrideSource.com.

No one was hurt in the August 17 fire but the center lost all of its HIV testing and counseling supplies, computers and client data. The staff are now sharing space with its parent organization, AIDS Partnership Michigan. The program offices were de-facto drop in center for young black MSM in Detroit's LGBT.

The center was located at 1959 E. Jefferson in the historic Willens Typesetting Building ... constructed in 1929 and considered one of best examples of Art Deco architecture in Detroit.

Comments

[Ruiz]

I'm very hopeful that the center was fully insured. But even if it was, there are so many things they can't replace easily. And what a shame, those kids lost a safe space.

[Luis]

Here's looking to their rebuilding.
HIV prevention dollars are very hard to come by and their target population is very high at risk. Best of luck to them.

[Angel]

Very unfortunate news. Yeah, let's hope any insurance coverage they may have can get things back up & running. While I tend to love love love the architecture, ceilings heights, crown molding and hardwood flooring in most old buildings (and homes)... electrical wiring problems, boiler room problems, freight elevator problems, just to name a few, in structures this old is pretty commonplace. What would be absolutely awesome is if Detroit will be able to somehow build a newer, nicer, state of the art HIV Prevention center targeting young minority & disenfranchised gay youth. Am I smoking on a pipe dream?? I realize Detroit and Michigan at large is one of the hardest hit areas of the recession, but this can serve as a prime example of where American politicians should really be spending our dollars -- on infrastructure right here AT HOME!!!