CHAMP Rising

Our Mission

CHAMP is a community service program that provides testing, linkage to care and advocacy to improve health outcomes in Miami's diverse Black neighborhoods. Together, we are empowering Community Champions to build trust in the healthcare system, reduce stigma, and spread positive messages of awareness, prevention, and overall wellness.

The Challenge

Miami-Dade is a leading epicenter for new HIV infections in the U.S. and experiences some of the greatest racial disparities in HIV outcomes. The majority of cases are concentrated within the predominately Black neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County.

Our Solution

Established in 2016, Community-based Health Awareness for Minority Populations (CHAMP) began as a service to reduce HIV incidence in Miami's diverse Black communities. Our team's culturally-tailored HIV strategy centers around the expertise of Community Health Workers (CHWs), who facilitate home-based rapid testing in non-traditional locations within South Florida’s Black neighborhoods.

A Message from Our Director