Abena, now seven, knew at a very young age that they were not fitting into the traditional girl or boy category. Their family sought to findcare that supported them right away. Luckily, living in West Philadelphia, transgender care for children wasn’t hard to find through the PACTS Program at Mazzoni Center. For the past four years, Abena’s family has come to the center monthly for sessions with a social worker. They also participate in the support group offered by Mazzoni for families with transgender children.

 

Because of the stellar services received, the family utilizes Mazzoni for primary medical care for both of their children. “It’s nice to have a trans doctor who understands the elements and things that are out there to support families — and to have a strong professional physician serving us as a role model,” says Abena’s mom Rhea.

 

The family feels fortunate to live so close to Mazzoni, through which they’ve built a community. “When we started there were only eight kids, and now there are over 150 families in the program,” Rhea says. “We just naturally fell into the Mazzoni community, and there are a lot of people we’ve met here who live in our neighborhood who we’ve remained in contact with.”

 

Abena enjoys coming to Mazzoni Center because they feel accepted. “I like having a community that supports me where no one will tell me, you have to be a girl or a boy,” Abena comments.

 

Through the PACTS Program, Abena and their family are prepared for the future. “We feel  that it’s our responsibility as parents to arm our child as much as possible with information and self-affirming resources. That’s where Mazzoni has been integral,” says Abena’s dad Yao.

 

Abena encourages other people to come to Mazzoni Center too. “I think people should come to Mazzoni because you get supported, and you can be safe and not have to worry.”

 

Life hasn’t always been easy for Chris, a cancer survivor and recovering addict who is HIV positive. Despite the adversity, thanks in part to Mazzoni Center, he is thriving. “Mazzoni helped save my life,” says Chris, now a successful DJ who headlined the 2019 Philly Gay Pride festival.

 

As he was battling addiction, Chris heard about Mazzoni Center from friends in the community who were also clients. Fearful and skeptical after unsuccessfully trying to fight his addiction on his own, he turned to Mazzoni’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) because of its reputation in the LGBTQ community.

 

“I was still scared and worried, but within a week I knew this was exactly where I was supposed to be,” said Chris. “I would have continued to use if it wasn’t for Mazzoni. They helped me realize who I am and who I wanted to be. That was the moment that allowed me to reclaim my life.”

 

Through the IOP, Chris was connected with Kirk Parsons, CRC, who worked with him to develop a plan for recovery. “Kirk is the best thing that ever happened to me. The counselors really have a way of making you feel comfortable, accepted and loved. They want to help.”

 

A few years later, after learning he was HIV positive, Chris turned to music as a creative outlet. He began by DJ’ing for friends locally and quickly realized he had a gift for music. Soon enough, he found himself traveling to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City to perform at bars and clubs. He continues to thrive as a professional DJ.

 

“Thanks to Mazzoni, I have control over my life.”

 

For the past 20 years, Jimmy has been an active volunteer and a friendly face at Mazzoni Center. “Helping to create a community at Mazzoni is part of what I do,” says Jimmy, who can be found offering a smile to anyone entering the center on Mondays when he volunteers at reception.

 

His story with Mazzoni Center dates back to its previous life as the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives, where he was a patient diagnosed HIV positive in 1987. “I started treatment right away, and I was fully diagnosed with AIDS in 1990,” Jimmy adds. Currently, Jimmy is living a healthy life and said, “Thanks to the care of Mark Watkins D.O., my HIV is undetectable.”

 

As a special education teacher for the School District of Philadelphia, before retiring in 2002, Jimmy would often get his students involved in volunteering at the center too. “My students needed to do community service, so I would take them on SEPTA to Mazzoni Center, once a month to help with office tasks like mailings,” Jimmy says

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Jimmy’s dedication to Mazzoni has taken many forms. In 2000, while on a six-month sabbatical, he helped to set up Mazzoni’s official food bank.

 

He has seen the center change over the years, from when the primary focus was the AIDS and HIV epidemic to now, where there is more comprehensive, compassionate health care and social services for anyone in the LGBTQ community. “Mazzoni has been and continues to be the gold standard for care in Philadelphia.”

 

When he first arrived in the United States twenty years ago, Luis was without health insurance. An openly gay man, he was looking for a place to receive unbiased health care and regular testing without judgement.

 

Luckily, Mazzoni Center was a few blocks from his new home. When asked about his first visit, Luis says, “It just felt easy. I was able to be unapologetically open and didn’t have to worry about being judged when talking about my partners or experiences.”

 

Now an attorney, Luis continues to have his testing done through Mazzoni Center and accredits his loyalty to the friendly staff. Luis has made it his mission to spread the education and acceptance he found at Mazzoni with the people of his hometown in Colombia. During annual visits, he distributes educational pamphlets about the importance of STI testing, along with protection to the community.

 

“I believe education empowers people, and it’s important to pay it forward. I know there are still good people in the world, and when I’m at Mazzoni that belief is reinforced,” said Luis.