Charleston Teen & Family EMPOWERR Program

Smiling teenagers

History

Founded in 2008, the EMPOWERR Program is located within the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, a division of MUSC's Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. EMPOWERR is funded by a 5 year Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Mission

EMPOWERR's mission is to reduce the onset of substance abuse and prevent the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STI's) as well as prevent unintended pregnancy in minority youth and young adults in the Charleston area.

Goals & Objectives

Our goals are to provide comprehensive, evidence based HIV, STI, and unplanned pregnancy prevention programs to area teens and young adults; increase youth access to HIV and STI testing through coordinating and participating in large scale testing events; and to educate the greater public through attendance at community health fairs, outreach events, and on social media.