Positive Change Heroes: Niko Flowers

1.       Can you share a little about who you are, and what do you do?

Niko: I’m Niko Flowers. I’m a health educator. I’ve been working for Alliance for Positive Change for two years, and I’ve been a spokesmodel for HIV Stops With Me for 10 years. I’m the 4th floor receptionist at Alliance for Positive Change Midtown Central. I’m also involved in our Health Homes Care Management, helping people get connected with services.  

I came to NJ from Peru when I was 3. I grew up speaking Spanish and English. I was raised and stayed in Hudson County.

I'm an avid runner, so I love getting some miles in before work.

2.       You’ve been providing HIV awareness trainings for a long time, right?

Niko: Oh yes, for over 20 years. I’m 34 years of living with HIV and I’ve always wanted to help remove stigma by sharing my story. I’ve led trainings in schools, disclosing my HIV status to young people to make them aware. I became a health educator so I could be more than a speaker and also break down HIV 101 for people to really understand it, prevention and treatment. 

3.       And you’re a prominent spokesmodel with HIV Stops With Me. What is that?

Niko: Yes, I’ve been a spokesmodel for 10 years now. HIV Stop With Me is a New York State advertising campaign with a mission is to encourage testing, awareness, and treatment. We have 30 spokesmodels across the state appearing in glamorous, educational billboards. Because of stigmas, people still don’t know their status, and HIV is totally manageable today. My HIV levels are undetectable, which means it is untransmittable, and everyone can get there with testing and treatment.  

I’ve been involved in it for 10 years now. We put advertisements across billboards and public spaces, i.e. train stations, bus stops, and subways.  

They look for people who can talk about their experience and have really made it their business to educate themselves on their conditions. So we do annual trainings, then get dolled up and have fun photo shoots to destigmatize being open about your status, because there is still stigma. 

4.       How did you get involved with HIV Stops With Me?

Niko: About 10 years ago I saw an HIV Stops With Me ad on 14th Street of someone I knew. I asked them to connect me with it. I wanted to be a more public messenger, and the group that runs it saw I’m in it for the right reasons, so like all the spokesmodels I participated in annual trainings, shared more of my experience, which you can read about at Niko - HIV Stops With Me. And of course we take fabulous photoshoots that appear on ads in subways, billboards, and everywhere. I’m not ashamed and I think that helps remove stigmas. 

5.       What’s your favorite photo campaign from HIV Stops With Me? 

Niko: That’s so tough because I really love them all. Can I say two of them? It's between “Slay” and “Hardcore Treatment Advocate.” “Slay” was from 2023 and I think “Hardcore Treatment Advocate” was from 2019.  

The message on “Slay” is “Meds keep me Undetectable and Untransmittable. I manage my physical, mental, and sexual health. I’m slaying HIV.”  

That one was all over the trains in the city. I never saw it but lots of people saw it. I just saw the new campaign “CEO of My Life” on the subway in Brooklyn, which was pretty cool. We’ve got all the ads on the walls here at Alliance.  

6.       When did you first come to Alliance?

Niko: March 2023. I came here to work on a program we had with Tangelo, a food delivery service for people with chronic health conditions that helps them stay healthy. I loved it, and I loved my boss, Ox. I love Ox for his work ethic, patience when I’m trying to learn new skills, and the trust. 

Before 2023, I took the Certified Peer Recovery Advocate training. And last year I took the Peer Recovery Education Program (cycle 62.)  

I knew most of the information. Our trainer Ms. Joyce was like ‘Niko you already know this information but you’d be good for the other people in the training, so come in.’ So I’ve always been about continuing education, especially for health care issues.  

7.       What motivates you day-to-day at Alliance?

Niko: Being present for this moment in time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever, so I try to be my best self, and help out everyone here at Alliance, my coworkers, my bosses, the participants we serve, because everyone has unique challenges, and helping people find the best programs for them brings me a lot of joy. 

8.       What do you do for fun?

Niko: When I’m not modeling, haha? I love reading, and watching TV and movies. Sometimes when I’m watching a good movie, I’ll be able to accurately predict what a character’s about to say. Right now, enjoying I’m watching Beauty in Black on Netflix.

9.       If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be? 

Niko: I’d do more health education in schools like I used to. As a matter of fact, I’m going to make some calls today and get back to that before the school year is over.

Chief Photography Officer David Nager Named NY1's New Yorker of the Week

Chief Photography Officer David Nager’s amazing decades of work at Alliance was recognized by NY1 Spectrum News as he was named this week’s New Yorker of the Week. David has photographed over 30 classes of Peer Recovery and Education Program (PREP), hundreds of trainings for Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CRPA) and other career-readiness interventions. His photos tell the story of Alliance and the people who have come through our doors. When asked why he remains so committed to this work, he always gives the same answer, “It’s the People.” Thank you, David!

Alliance Speaks at City Hall against Syringe Exchange restrictions

Alliance joined a half dozen fellow harm reduction providers at City Hall on Friday to speak out against proposed legislation that would limited syringe exchange programs. Outreach Coordinator Eliot Thompson spoke to the members of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction to oppose Int 0868-2024 - which limits outreach and Int 1169-2025 which affects our ability to operate SSPs and creates more onerous data entry. Alliance was joined by Housing Works, VOCAL-NY, St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction, Drug Policy Alliance, and OnPoint NYC. Healthcare and harm reduction champion Senator Gustavo Rivera joined virtually to speak against the bills.

Food and Nutrition Services Director Pens Op-ed for City Limits on Food Access

Melissa Gallanter, Food and Nutrition Services Director at Alliance, wrote an op-ed on the subject of food access, which was published in City Limits today. The op-ed addresses the need to invest in essential food access services for low-income New Yorkers. Alliance’s serves over 20,000 fresh meals every year, in addition to thousands of bags of shelf-stable pantry goods.

“New York City must increase funding for community-based food programs, ensuring organizations like ours can meet growing demand and prepare for compromised federal support.

Investment in these local efforts is an investment in public health. Access to healthy food is a social determinant of health—low-income, food-insecure adults experience higher rates of chronic health conditions. For example, in the South Bronx, food insecurity affects nearly a quarter of residents; 20 percent of adults in the community are living with diabetes, which is four times the rate of food-secure neighborhoods. Therefore, every dollar spent on nutrition education and food access programs saves on health care costs down the line.”

A message to our Alliance community

Many members of our community are experiencing deep fear and uncertainty about the future as this new chapter in our nation’s history begins.

The incoming federal administration is moving quickly to undermine our nation’s science-based public health system, hard-won civil rights protections, and life-saving federal safety-net programs, to name just a few areas that directly affect our participants’ well-being.

We can’t predict precisely how things will unfold, but we can promise this: We will stand WITH our community, show up FOR our community, and continue to be A PLACE OF SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND BELONGING for the people we serve.

History is our guide. Alliance was founded in the early 1990s, when stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV and AIDS were the norm.

We created Alliance as a resource and sanctuary for people facing cruelty and discrimination at the most vulnerable time in their lives—sometimes from elected officials, sometimes from the healthcare sector, and sometimes even from their own friends and families.

We persevered through those times and improved hundreds of thousands of lives. We will persist through these times, too.

Alliance will always be a community of belonging and respect for all people. We will continue working diligently to resource our participants for positive change in health, economic opportunity, safety, and self-determination. We will join with our city, state, and community partners—just as we always have—to press for what’s right.

This is our promise as together we face the significant challenges to come: we will live up to our name and pursue our commitment to positive change.

Thank you for standing beside us,
Alliance for Positive Change Leadership

Sharen I. Duke, Executive Director/CEO
Brenda Starks-Ross, Deputy Executive Director/COO
Tamara Green, Deputy Executive Director/CPO
Ramona Cummings, CPO of Harm Reduction
Judy Hederman, SVP of Finance
Brooke Montes, SVP of Business Development & Communications

Alliance for Positive Change Partners with Assembly Member Harvey Epstein to Host Overdose Prevention Training for Older Adults

On Tuesday, November 19, the nonprofit Alliance for Positive Change partnered with New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein’s office to train older adults to reverse drug overdoses by administering Naloxone.

Over 20 older adults and student nurses learned how to identify an overdose and administer Naloxone at the 2024 Aging Safely in Our Community Health Fair at the Stein Older Adult Center, which was developed and staged by student nurses from the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing of The City University of New York.

Alliance Narcan trainer Eliot teaches seniors and nursing students how to recognize and respond to an overdose

Recent data from the CDC shows that overdose deaths have decreased by 14% nationwide in the past year. Experts attribute this progress in part to expanded access to harm reduction tools like Naloxone, which is now available over the counter. Still, older adults remain particularly susceptible to overdose due to factors such as higher rates of chronic pain conditions, social isolation, and stigma.

Opioid overdose reversal medication can be used by non-medical professionals to temporarily reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin or fentanyl, particularly in situations of overdose. Alliance conducts over 100 overdose prevention trainings annually for the community, corporations, local businesses, and elected officials.

“We are proud to partner with Assembly Member Harvey Epstein’s office to promote the health and safety of older New Yorkers,” said Ramona Cummings, Chief Program Officer at Alliance for Positive Change. “We have seen encouraging data showing that the expansion of harm reduction resources is helping to turn the tide of the overdose crisis. We must persist in our work together to reach communities that continue to be most impacted by overdose.“

“We know a harm reduction model is very effective when it comes to preventing overdose deaths due to opioid use and knowing how to administer Naloxone is a critical tool. We are fortunate to have organizations like Alliance for Positive Change doing the important work of keeping our communities safe through education and connections to services that address the root causes of public health crises. I want to thank them for their leadership and for training members of our community to be prepared in the event of an overdose,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

Alliance and Assemblymember Epstein previously collaborated for a Narcan training for his district office staff.

Sharen Duke Selected Again as Crain’s Notable in Health Care

Crain’s New York Business has selected Alliance for Positive Change founding Executive Director and CEO Sharen Duke as a 2024 Notable in Health Care, noting that this year’s honorees “have distinguished themselves through their expertise and innovation.”Sharen was also recognized in Crain’s in 2021 as a Notable Leader in Health Care.

“Sharen Duke is executive director and chief executive officer of Alliance for Positive Change, a nonprofit that provides low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and other chronic conditions with access to quality health care, housing, harm reduction, coaching, peer training and job placements. She oversees a team of more than 150 people while managing a multimillion dollar budget.”

You can view the full list here (subscription required for access) - https://www.crainsnewyork.com/awards/sharen-duke-notable-leaders-health-care-2024

Alliance Celebrates 63rd Graduating Class of Peers

(New York, N.Y.) — On Thursday, November 14, Alliance for Positive Change celebrated the 63rd graduating class of its Peer training program at a ceremony featuring graduates, families, and friends at its Midtown Central location. View all photos HERE.

For three decades, Alliance’s renowned Peer training program has provided New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions with leadership and economic mobility opportunities.  NewYork-Presbyterian sponsored the graduation, and Booking.com Cares was a community partner.

Alliance’s Peer program is an intensive 8-week capacity-building and skills training program that harnesses the power of mentoring to help others initiate and maintain healthy behaviors. Participants learn about HIV, hepatitis C, STIs, harm reduction, outreach skills, overdose prevention, and more. Graduates become community leaders who use their lived experience and training to help fellow New Yorkers facing health challenges. Since the first class, Alliance has graduated more than 1,500 Peers.

“When I came to Alliance’s Peer program, I was looking for a sense of direction, acceptance, community, and positive reinforcement,” said Jose A., an Alliance Cycle 63 Peer graduate. “I found all that and more. I see the staff and Peer Workers helping people every day without judgment and stigma. I am looking forward to helping others who have been through what I have been through.”

“We are proud to celebrate our graduates, who have shown tremendous dedication to developing their skills and expertise, and who will harness their own lived experiences to support others,” said Brenda Starks-Ross, Alliance’s Deputy Executive Director/COO. “Peer Workers expand and deepen our impact every day, showcasing the power of positive change for individuals and entire communities.” 

 During their training, Peers developed skills to coach and support New Yorkers to overcome health challenges, navigate systemic inequities, and achieve health and well-being. The Peer program connects low-income people to care and support; reduces the burden on under-resourced healthcare institutions; and creates more economic mobility for people who need it most. Each year, these community ambassadors connect with an estimated 15,000 New Yorkers.

About Alliance for Positive Change

Alliance for Positive Change is a leading multiservice organization that provides low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions with access to quality health care, housing, harm reduction, coaching, and our renowned peer training and job placement program that cultivates leadership and economic mobility. Alliance opened in 1991, at the height of the HIV crisis as a welcoming community of transformation and opportunity. Today, we deliver on the promise of positive change with services and resources that equip people to navigate systemic inequities and achieve health and well-being. Learn about all the ways we inspire positive change at www.alliance.nyc.

Statement On the Results of the 2024 Election

With the reelection of Donald Trump—whose policies and rhetoric have viciously targeted people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, disabled people, and other marginalized communities at the heart of Alliance’s mission—today is not a day for silence.

This election outcome is a threat to the values we hold dear, including human rights, social justice, equitable healthcare, bodily autonomy, and responsible public health policy.

Alliance for Positive Change was founded more than 30 years ago at the height of the AIDS epidemic, with a core ethos of respect, compassion, and care. We are writing today to reaffirm our enduring commitment to welcoming services and the dignity of all people, with particular concern for those most harmed by discrimination, marginalization, and hate.

We cannot and will not allow our progress to be reversed or our communities to be sidelined.

Please stand with us as we find a way forward through what is likely to be a destabilizing period in our nation’s history. Let’s together uplift and embody positive change—today, tomorrow, and always.

With gratitude for your support,
Alliance for Positive Change

Community Promise Stories: Kayshawn

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  

My name is Kayshawn. I’m 36. I’m a native New Yorker, originally from Flatbush, Brooklyn. It’s been seven years since I stopped using drugs.

Before we get a little deeper into your story and your perspective, what are your hobbies?  

I like to spend time with family and close friends that are good to me. I’m an introvert. I like walks, anime, music, writing in my journal, sitting in the park. Tompkins Square Park, Washington Square, and Union Square are beautiful, or just sitting by the river, it can be very peaceful. 

I am part of the CHOICES program even though I don’t take Suboxone. I’m in therapy with Dr. Jeffery, usually once a month.   

Can you tell us about your history with substances and what brought you here? 

Cocaine is the drug I was using the most. I’m an introvert, and cocaine was what I used to be around people. But shaking that was like going back into my shell. I no longer had my mask, and it was really scary.  

I was kind of a pushover. I let people do stuff to me. And I tended to stay and let people around me because I was lonely.  

The breaking point was when I realized a lot of my friendships and relationships were toxic for me. I had to learn to take things at face value and not to excuse people’s bad behavior. 

What were your triggers when you were using? 

Arguments, depression, being disappointed. Emotional anguish. Being in large groups of people.  

I’ve been sober for 7 years. I often think about how far I’ve come, and I know going backwards will make so many people disappointed in me, but I do have lots of moments when I have urges.  

What are some challenges that make you feel those “urges”? 

My current living situation. The last few months, I haven’t had a place of my own, I’ve been staying with a friend. It’s not optimal. I’ve basically been putting my life together since moving back to New York in March. I moved to Ft. Lauterdale to be with my daughter and her mother. 

Florida wasn’t good for me mentally, or emotionally. The relationship with my daughter’s mother was one of those where I let someone take advantage of me. I lost 50 pounds there. She started mistreating me in all sorts of ways. She had the authorities evict me from a place that had my name on the lease. 

I was working at Target and had just lost my job.  

Are you working now, back in New York? 

Just gigs here and there. I’ve been walking people’s dogs. I get snap benefits, something Alliance helped me with. 

How did you find Alliance for Positive Change, and when? 

In 2017, when I was on the verge of stopping my drug use. I had heard about you from a participant who I knew from another meeting, she told me to come to this group at Alliance. I really enjoyed the group. I didn’t need sterile syringes for long, since I did stop using. But since then I’ve just been coming to the groups.  

What services do you access here? 

All services. I attend the Medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone) group Mondays. I do the Tuesday Men’s Group. Wednesday is the education and health workshop run by Ryan and VOCAL about knowing your rights. Basically five days a week. It’s all been equally useful. I’ve learned how to handle my own reactions to people, different interactions, dealing with different personalities.  

I have an Alliance case manager who helped me get back on SNAP benefits, and the big thing is I’m applying for PREP Cycle 63, starting in mid-September. I met with Ms. Joyce. I’ve been through a lot in life, and I’d like to become a CASAC or drug counselor.  

It seems like you’d be very good at that 

I’ve had a lot of lived experience. It’s not hard being around people who are actively using drugs than other people. They’re more truthful and honest than a lot of people who are sober. People who don’t use--they find ways to nullify the things they go through. Somebody who uses is a little bit more open, because they think their story can help someone avoid their mistakes.  

What is your philosophy in life? 

In due time, people will see the progress you’ve made, and see everything differently. For a while, my mom didn’t believe me when I said I was really dedicated to improving my life, but she’s seen me calm down, get in better shape, she’s seen me do everything in my control. That’s one of the most important relationships in my life. My mom, and my children.