PPGMR Offers Weekly Free HIV Testing at Caritas Village

MEMPHIS, TN — Beginning January 3rd, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR) will offer free HIV counseling and testing at Caritas Village Community Center, 2509 Harvard Avenue, each Monday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The weekly testing at Caritas Village is a part of PPGMR’s community HIV testing and prevention program. PPGMR also provides free HIV testing and counseling at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center each Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Testing is also available and free to the public each day at PPGMR’s health center located at 2430 Poplar Avenue. Results are always provided within 20 minutes.

HIV prevention counseling is an important part of PPGMR’s HIV testing program. Each person tested also receives counseling about HIV, how it is spread, and how to protect one’s self and loved ones from the virus that causes AIDS.
“PPGMR is glad to partner with Caritas Village to offer this testing as a free service to the community,” said PPGMR CEO Barry J. Chase. “This is another way that Planned Parenthood is promoting health and safety right here in our own neighborhood.”

Caritas Village is a non-profit Christian gathering place, coffee shop and cultural center in the Binghampton community of Memphis. It recently received a grant for [choice] LIFE OVER AIDS, a community awareness program designed to help prevent future HIV infections, reduce the stigma associated with being HIV positive, and educate the greater Memphis community about healthy choices when living with HIV and AIDS.

“[choice] LIFE OVER AIDS is about education and prevention. Knowing your HIV status and treatment options is critical to leading a healthy life. We are proud to offer this weekly testing as another important service Caritas is offering to the community,” said Onie Johns, Caritas Village founder and Director.

For more information about PPGMR’s community HIV testing and prevention program, please call (901) 725-3008 or go to our website: www.ppgmr.org.

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Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR), founded in 1938, is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. PPGMR’s mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive and related health care through clinic services, education, advocacy and community partnerships in serving 42 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.