South Beach AIDS Project has been awarded a five-year research grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH). In a printed statement, they said they are proud to be one of three site for this study headed by Dr. Jeff Kelly from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Kelly is one of the top researchers in the country and SoBAP says that they feel fortunate to be working so closely with him. This will be a program working within social networks of gay men trying to impact decisions and transfer knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

SoBAP has also been awarded an HIV testing grant which will help them expand their services more in the community. Although they have always had a testing site, this is the first time we have had testing fully-funded. SoBAP’s board and staff know how crucial it is to offer this service to our community so testing has always been a staple in services that they offer. With this expansion, SoBAP will be offering testing and counseling not only in their South Beach Testing Center at 306 Lincoln Rd. (inside the CVS Pharmacy) but will now also be offering testing on Tuesday and Thursday at the P.E.T. Center, 615 Collins Avenue.

These new grants along with others in place have made SoBAP bigger than it has ever been. Although South Beach and Miami will always be their home, SoBAP looks to expand their services to other communities in need. – BK