“State Farm Go To Bat Award” honors Bronxite Tiffany Simone
The New York Yankees nominates Bronx native Tiffany Simone Co-Founder & Executive Director of Silent Voices United Inc. for the The “State Farm Go To Bat Award” for her charitable work in the Bronx community. The State Farm “Go to Bat” Award recognizes and highlights the efforts of individuals in the community who are committed to making a difference in the lives of Bronx residents.
“This is a great honor” said Ms. Simone, “It really makes me feel good to know that our hard work has not gone unnoticed.”
Ms Simone has been making a difference in the lives of Bronx residents through her advocacy for women and children and community outreach since the early 90’s. Silent Voices United, Inc., is a grassroots organization and full youth and young adult agency partner with the Riverside Church Global HIV/AIDS Ministry under the Spiritual Outreach Services (S.O.S) that she co-founded with her son, Ronnie Love, co-founder and Peer to Peer Outreach Coordinator. Their mission is to provide outlets and opportunities for youth and young adults to get involved in bettering their communities.
In 2005 they launched the “Got Tested?” initiative in response to the rise of HIV/AIDS among youth and women of color. Her approach was unique and yet simple—using music and entertainment to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and safety, while educating, strengthening and empowering underserved at-risk communities. She along with her team of young volunteers went out into the community and began peer-to-peer HIV/AIDS outreach to educate and provide the community-particularly the youth, with access to information, testing, counseling, opportunities for linkage to care—services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection. She garnered the support of local sponsors including the New York Yankees, Magic Johnson Enterprise, BET, MetroPlus Health Plan, Affinity Health Plan, and she contracted several organizations to provide the HIV testing and counseling. Some of these organizations included Bronx AIDS Services, Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Jacobi Medical Center/NCB, Gay Men of African Descent. To date, the Got Tested campaign is estimated to have reached over a million people through various media outlets including BET/106 and Park, Source Magazine, VIBE Magazine, WBLS FM Radio, and Power 105 FM Radio and have successfully tested hundreds of youth throughout the Bronx and New York City.
In 2008 she hosted the largest ever HIV/AIDS Drive & Health Fair “Cover-Up Dat’s Whassup!” in Highbridge, Bronx and successfully tested over three-hundred Highbridge residents in one-day.
Ms Simone admits there have been numerous challenges—especially with no state or federal funding, however she attributes a lot of her success to the dedication and commitment of the young people and adults who selflessly volunteer their time in the Highbridge section of the Bronx. “This is our validation,” says Ms Simone, “because we all want a better community, a healthier Bronx!”
The State Farms will present the State Farm Go To Bat Award to Ms Simone at a Yankees game, Sunday August 5, 2012 on-field during the pre-game ceremony, after which the family will be guest to watch the game.
For More info:
SILENT VOICES UNITED, INC.
O: (718) 906-1007 / F: (866) 433-9781
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