AHP emerged in 2002 to address the dramatic increase in HIV/AIDS in Brooklyn's low-income communities. Volunteers go out three nights a week between the hours of 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
They drive throughout targeted neighborhoods stopping at streets, crack houses and other locations to distribute food, HIV prevention/education information and condoms, and they disperse clean needles as needed. When an individual expresses interest in detoxing, AHP volunteers call service providers right on the spot and drive the person to the program. AHP has developed linkage agreements with community organizations, drug treatment facilities and area hospitals that allow AHP to refer clients to fast-track quality care and services. In 2003, AHP formalized an agreement with Wyckoff Heights Medical Center to allow AHP to operate as an Expanded Syringe Access Program.