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Walk to save lives

Every step helps sick kids. Register for free for the Eversource Walk for Boston Children’s Hospital on June 9.

Join us

Boston HAPPENS provides services to youth, 13 and older, who are HIV positive or at risk for the disease and other STDs. HAPPENS also offers HIV/STI counseling and testing billed through insurance.

Support services

We also provide HIV positive youth with a variety of counseling services, including:

  • case management and connections to resource
  • individual and group therapy
  • referrals to groups
  • support for family, friends and partners

For youth at risk for HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis

  • HIV counseling and testing (also available for adults, ages 13 and older)
  • STI and viral hepatitis screening and referrals for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C
  • free male and female condoms, lube, and other risk reduction and educational materials
  • referrals for birth control, family planning, mental health, substance abuse counseling, and other services
  • post-exposure prophylaxis and HIV testing, follow-up and counseling for young people exposed to HIV through sex or needles, or who are victims of sexual assault

Am I really at risk for getting HIV?

You are always at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you are having sex or sharing needles.

Youth services directory

Includes organizations in the Boston area specializing in HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and education, primary medical care, mental health, substance abuse, and faith-based organizations.

  • BMC Public Health Clinic: 617-414-4290
  • Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-785-2020
  • MA AIDS Hotline: 800-235-2331
  • MA Commonwealth Connector: 877-623-6765
  • Massachusetts Sexual Health Helpline: 877-627-3933
  • MA Substance Abuse Hotline: 800-327-5050
  • Mayor's Youthline: 617-635-2240
  • National Clinician's Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: 888-HIV-4911
  • National Hopeline: 800-784-2433
  • National Runaway Hotline: 800-621-4000
  • Peer Listening Line (GLBT support): 617-267-2535

Health education

Boston HAPPENS is a proud member of CARE for Youth, a statewide coalition that is working to keep kids safe and healthy by passing legislation to make comprehensive health education a reality for all Massachusetts public school students.

Helpful links

  • It doesn't matter if you are heterosexual ("straight"), homosexual ("gay") or bisexual ("bi") - anytime you have sex you are at risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
  • You are at risk if you have ever had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You are also at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you ever had a condom break or slip off during sex.
  • If your sexual partner has HIV or is at risk for HIV, you are also in danger of getting the disease.
  • If you have had an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or have been sexually assaulted you are also at risk.
  • Don't have sex while you are drunk or high since this puts you at a greater risk for getting HIV/AIDS.
  • The only way to make sure you are not at risk for getting HIV/AIDS is to not have sex and not share needles. But if you do decide to have sex, always use a condom!
    • You are at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you have ever shared needles or "works" to inject drugs or steroids.
    • You are also at risk if you have ever shared needles for tattooing or piercing.
    • The only way to make sure you are not at risk for getting HIV/AIDS is to not share needles and not have sex. If you do decide to use needles, always use clean ones!
    • AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England's oldest and largest provider of AIDS services, education and advocacy.
    • AIDSinfo is a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offering info on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
    • Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) is a youth-led, adult-supported, social support organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning youth, and their straight allies, 22 years old and under.
    • Boston Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) is a non-profit project of JRI Health committed to giving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young adults a safe place to meet, talk, and hang out.
    • Boston Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) is a research program that works to educate health care providers on how to care for teens. Features a list of health services and resources for teens for things like mental health, eating disorders, sexuality, girl power, and substance abuse.
    • Center for Young Women's Health provides information on general health and nutrition, reproductive health issues, emotional health, and much more for teen girls.
    • Boston Children's Hospital is the website for Boston Children's Hospital, one of the nation's top pediatric medical institutions, with links to health information, hospital departments. and other hospital programs.
    • Health Initiatives for Youth (HIFY) is working to improve access to prevention, care, and treatment for adolescents living with, and at-risk of, HIV infection.
    • HIV InSite is an HIV information resource project sponsored by the University of California at San Francisco.
    • HIVtest.org is an HIV/AIDS testing informational website sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    • Insurance.laws.com is for patients, employers, and providers and explains the new law in Massachusetts requiring that adults 18 and over have health insurance. It also provides health insurance resources.
    • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reaches out to America's teen girls and young women about the dangerous link between non-injecting drug abuse and HIV.
    • National Prevention Information Network shares HIV/AIDS and STD resources and information about education and prevention and has published materials and research findings, as well as news about related trends.
    • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is a program that offers training for teens on sexuality and relationships, as well as pregnancy counseling and other reproductive health care services.
    • The Body is an HIV/AIDS resource with access to a 15,000-document library.