How a Broward House community partnership turned one HIV education session into a powerful moment of action.
At Broward House, some of our most meaningful work happens beyond our own walls. Through partnerships with organizations throughout the community, our Prevention team brings HIV education, prevention resources, and testing directly to the people who can benefit from them.
For Jasmine Ryan, a Prevention Specialist here at Broward House, one recent visit to Coral Bay became a powerful reminder of why these partnerships matter.
Jasmine regularly facilitates HIV education groups at the treatment center. While participants are often engaged in the conversation, that interest does not always translate into a willingness to get tested. On this particular day, something was different.
During the session, Jasmine spoke about the importance of routine HIV testing and encouraged participants to think beyond just the number of sexual partners they may personally have.
“Even if someone only has one or two partners, those partners may have other partners, and those individuals may have partners of their own.”
The message resonated.
Participants began asking questions, and what started as an educational presentation quickly became an open conversation about HIV in South Florida, prevention, testing, and how dramatically HIV care has changed.
Several participants were surprised to learn about the advances that have been made in HIV treatment. Jasmine discussed how people living with HIV who receive effective treatment can achieve an undetectable viral load and live long, healthy lives. She also introduced prevention options such as PrEP and PEP, giving participants information and tools they could use for themselves or share with others.
For Jasmine, that ripple effect is one of the most important parts of HIV education.
“Even if someone in the room is not sexually active, they may have a friend, family member, or loved one who could benefit from the information. Education gives people the ability to make informed decisions and help others do the same.”
When Education Becomes Action
Then came the moment that made this particular visit stand out.
By the end of the session, every participant chose to get tested for HIV.
They were not simply willing to be tested; they wanted to understand the process, asked questions, and actively participated.
For Jasmine, seeing an entire room move from listening and learning to taking action was incredibly rewarding.
“Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to replace fear with knowledge, curiosity with action, and uncertainty with confidence.”
Meeting Our Community Where They Are, this is what community partnership looks like at Broward House.
By working alongside organizations like Coral Bay, our Prevention team can meet people where they are and create approachable spaces for honest conversations about sexual health, HIV prevention, and testing.
One conversation may lead someone to get tested. Another may introduce someone to PrEP or PEP for the first time. And sometimes, the information shared in one room travels much further: reaching friends, partners, family members, and others throughout our community.
For us here at Broward House, that is the power of prevention: education that empowers people to take action for their health and the health of those around them.