Mission
Community Health Action of Staten Island drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Building Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Fighting Racism
Our mission to drive dramatic improvements in the health of our community is not just about medical appointments and prescriptions. Our responsibility as community leaders and advocates requires us to address and confront the root causes of inequity and disparities in health outcomes. One of the most glaring causes is the systemic racism within many of our institutions, within our national fabric and within ourselves. So, we are called to bear witness. We must ensure our voices are heard loud and clear that – as a nation, as a community, as an agency and as individuals - racism must be called out in all the ways it manifests itself and we must act boldly to undo the injustice.
History
In 1988, a group of Staten Islanders who were concerned about the impact of AIDS on our community came together to address the stigma, the discrimination, and terrible conditions of people with AIDS on Staten Island. This group of activists, providers, family members, and people living with the virus created the Staten Island AIDS Task Force.
Over the years, our services expanded to address the evolving needs of the HIV community as well as other people in need. We now have programs to connect Staten Islanders to the care they deserve, through services for people in recovery from drug and alcohol use, services for inmates and parolees, alternatives to incarceration, initiatives for the LGBTQ communities and youth, a food pantry and mobile food pantry, syringe exchange and harm reduction services, opioid overdose prevention trainings, and community-based HIV, hepatitis C and STD testing.
In 2004, we changed our name from the Staten Island AIDS Task Force to Community Health Action of Staten Island to reflect the expansion of our services that continue to respond to the evolving needs of HIV positive people as well as others in need. In January of 2015, we joined Brightpoint Health, a recognized leader in providing high-quality health care, mental health care, and social support services across NYC. Brightpoint Health became a member of Hudson River Health Care, now Sun River Health, in 2018. Together, we make significant and measurable improvement in people’s health and wellness, so they can enjoy a better life for themselves, their families, and within their communities.
Core Values
