A program that bolsters leadership skills and sexual health education among young, low-income women of color in New York City received a $50,000 grant from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in partnership with Macy’s.

Specifically, the grant was awarded to the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) Centers at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), which will invest the funds into GMHC’s Leadership Empowerment and Awareness Program (LEAP) for Girls.

The LEAP for Girls program offers science-based and culturally sensitive HIV prevention and sexual health education. It reaches young people through partnerships with schools, community groups and other organizations that work with youth.

“GMHC is honored to be recognized for our innovative approach in support of people affected by HIV and AIDS,” said Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC, in a press release about the grant. “Our LEAP for Girls program has enabled us to train 650 young women, who have collectively reached more than 15,000 at-risk peers with lifesaving prevention and self-empowerment messages. This grant from ETAF will help us expand the reach of the program where this kind of education is needed the most.”

“GMHC is a powerful part of a collective effort to achieve an AIDS-free world, a world Elizabeth Taylor is still helping to realize through ETAF,” added ETAF executive director Catherine Brown. “ETAF and Macy’s are honored to support GMHC with these funds to continue our aligned goals of health equity and zero discrimination for all people living with or at risk for HIV and AIDS.”

For background information about GMHC’s partnership with ACRIA, click here. And to learn about the work of ETAF, click #Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.