HIPS Ally training, originally scheduled for 10/26 has been moved to Wednesday, 11/10, from 6-9 p.m. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to hips@hips.org.

It’s that time of year– Halloween– and HIPS is having our annual Halloween Candy Drive!

Why candy? HIPS brings small, bite-sized pieces of candy with us on outreach each evening. In fact, it’s one of the things that we’re known for, and just part of our efforts to build good relationships on the streets. Offering a piece of candy is a great way to encourage people to come to the van for the first time. It can serve as an icebreaker or a pick-me-up for those who work the streets up to 10 hours a night without any food. It may seem small, but donating a couple of bags of Halloween candy can help save HIPS thousands of dollars each year in outreach materials. It’s a fun, easy way to spread the word about HIPS and helps make our work much sweeter. Here is our request . . .

What?

HIPS Candy Drive!!

Where?

Please consider hosting a drive at your office, church, group house, dorm etc. (And if you cannot host, please consider making a holiday donation.)

How?

If you’re sponsoring a drive, contact Jenna and Sarah at hips.outreach@gmail.com to arrange for delivery at our Rhode Island Ave. office or pick-up at your donation site after November 8th. Feel free to hang up the attached flyer or request HIPS literature for your site!

What?

We need candy (wrapped), lemonade & hot chocolate mix, and any other single-serving packets of bite-sized food

Thank you in advance for your scrumptious, spooky help and for your continued support of HIPS! We’re looking forward to answering any questions and setting up donation logistics with you. Email Jenna and Sarah at the Outreach Department email (hips.outreach@gmail.com) or call the office (202-232-8150) with any questions.

Client Advocacy is looking for a Counseling, Testing and Referral Specialist. The position requires at least 3 years experience with counseling and testing. We are seeking knowledge of local community resources, group facilitation and case management skills.  Experience in providing crisis intervention services is strongly preferred.   Experience working with sex workers, harm-reduction philosophy, anti-discrimination strategies, and community organizing preferred.  Individuals with industry experience are encouraged to apply.

The position is 30 hours a week, and job responsibilities include:

• Serve as counselor, mentor, and materials manager for the HIPS HIV CTR Program
• Serve as counselor for hotline calls on a rotating basis with other staff
• Provide 24-hour on-call support to other staff members and volunteers for crisis intervention, as a member of HIPS Crisis Intervention team
• Respond to requests for walk-in counseling services with Sex Workers
• Assist sex workers with referrals to housing, job training and assistance, etc.
• Keep confidential files on clients
• Represent HIPS at meetings, training sessions, and community outreach activities
• Develop collaborations with HIPS and other service provision organizations
• Manage the HIPS Clothing Closet
• Serve as a HIPS Diversion Group facilitator

If you’re interested, please send your resume and cover letter to Lia@hips.org.