Positively U, Inc. is a non-profit community-based organization created, led by minority citizen activists and staffed with a majority of individuals living with HIV in Central Florida. Since its inception in 2009, we have served our communities with dignity and respect regardless of age, race, religion, creed, ethnicity, income, disability or gender through leadership and advocacy initiatives. The primary purpose of Positively U, Inc. is to provide meaningful support for persons living with HIV and to prevent the spread of HIV through education, counseling, testing, and case management.
The mission of Positively U is to provide culturally appropriate and compassionate programming to people living with HIV and preventive services to the community at large, with an emphasis on tailoring our activities to meet each individual’s specific needs.
Collectively, our services meet the complex needs of today’s families, senior citizens—all of whom are currently living with HIV. We currently provide a variety of services from education, HIV testing, housing assistance, medical adherence, pharmacy co-pays and more. We seek collaborative partner opportunities wherever feasible to provide the maximum benefit to our “STARS” and the community. The primary benefit is the improved health of community members living with HIV.
Janet Kitchen, a native New Yorker is the CEO and founder of Positively U, Inc. After receiving her HIV diagnosis in 2005 she wanted to make a difference in the lives of other individuals living with HIV. She envisioned an organization lead by and staffed by people living with HIV. Janet felt this concept could help combat stigma and normalize services and care by communicating with someone with the same lived experience. In 2009 her vision became a reality; if given the tools and the training, people living with HIV can provide compassion services to their community. This can be done without restricted bureaucracy and in a unique and innovative way. The “Out of the Box” theory was developed from this belief.
As a role model and leader Janet currently serves on many state and national advisory boards advocating for the rights of people living with HIV.
She has been featured in numerous local newspapers articles, national magazines, television interviews, and has done public speaking in many settings such as churches, universities, conferences, and open forums throughout the country to increase the awareness of HIV.
Janet is often asked to travel to Washington, D.C. to represent and advocate for the needs of people living with HIV in Florida and to represent HIV-positive African American women. She was nominated for the 2011 WEGO Health Activist Award and was also awarded the SHERO Award from the National Minority AIDS Council, 2012. Janet has appeared on BET “Rap It Up” for their community mobilization project tour in St. Lucie County, Florida.
She has developed and implemented peer education program, micro-enterprise workshops and motivational seminars for people living with HIV throughout the state of Florida.
In July 2012, Janet was the Lead Regional Mobilizer for the State of Florida. In this position, she was instrumental in mobilizing over 400 Florida advocates and people living with HIV to participate in the largest gathering for people living with HIV/AIDS, The March on Washington, D.C., at the 2012 International Conference on AIDS. Most recently, she was featured as #42 “Most Amazing Person Living with HIV,” and in the December 2016, POZ magazine, “The POZ 100 celebrating the South”.
The Positive Action Grants from ViiV Healthcare empower community-led efforts to address HIV disparities by promoting prevention, care, and advocacy. Positively U will use the funds to expand networks for individuals living with or vulnerable to HIV, fostering relationships, self-advocacy, and resource access to reduce isolation and enhance engagement in care. Additionally, the grant will support strengthening organizational networks to improve service delivery systems and ensure sustained access to prevention, treatment, and supportive services.
Awards/Partnerships:
Through the Gilead COMPASS Initiative—a 10-year, $100+ million partnership combating the HIV epidemic in the Southern U.S.—Positively U, Inc. (PUI) will be using the funds to establish an advocacy task force. This initiative aims to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to advocate for people living with HIV at local, state, and federal levels. In Florida’s challenging political climate, the task force will build networks, coalitions, and alliances to amplify the voices of those impacted by HIV.
Positively U, Inc. (PUI) will utilize HRSA Ryan White Title III funds to enhance its organizational capacity and increase access to high-quality HIV care for underserved populations. The grant will focus on educating healthcare professionals and service staff about the needs of underrepresented communities with high HIV rates, including transgender individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved persons. PUI aims to reduce HIV-related disparities by implementing inclusive care, education, and training in clinical settings, while building partnerships with other programs and community organizations. The initiative will strengthen care models and internal processes to better serve these vulnerable groups.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D focuses on providing family-centered outpatient care, support services, and clinical quality management for low-income women, infants, children, and youth affected by or living with HIV in Hillsborough County. Program income supports allowable expenses, including transportation, lab fees, clinical visits, and medication costs, filling funding gaps and enhancing services. The program allows billing private insurance alongside Part D to maximize resources and ensure comprehensive care.
Grant supports HIV prevention services, including testing, prevention for individuals living with HIV, risk reduction for HIV-negative individuals, community-level prevention, and referral and navigation to essential support services. These efforts align with Florida Department of Health policies to reduce HIV transmission and support overall community health.
ESG Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) – The ESG RUSH II grant provides Rapid Rehousing Assistance to individuals directly affected by Hurricane Ian. It focuses on helping those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by offering rental assistance, relocation, and stabilization services. Eligible costs include rental application fees, deposits, moving costs, tenant legal services, and case management. Positively U, Inc. will use the funds to support approximately five households, ensuring eligibility and compliance with HUD guidelines.
ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants) – ESG funds will be used to provide comprehensive services for at least 20 people experiencing homelessness (including at least 10 people living with HIV) and those who are unstably housed. Funds will support the salaries of program staff to provide specific activities including but not limited to Housing Case Management, income verification, housing navigation, housing search/placement, short-term rental assistance processing, client follow-up, supervision, evaluation, and reporting. The bulk of the funds will be programmatic in the form of rental assistance/utilities and short term emergency housing. PUI will also use a small amount of the ESG funding to provide transportation vouchers for clients engaged in services.
We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives strengthens our work and helps us better serve the community in the fight against HIV. Our DEI initiatives are central to our mission, ensuring that all voices are heard and all individuals have access to the care, support, and resources they need.
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