CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A nonprofit committed to ending the HIV epidemic is reaching more people with its new testing clinic, The Drop.

What You Need To Know

  • Federally funded services at The Drop are working to reduce new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. by 90% by 2025 
  • Mecklenburg County was identified as one of 48 counties considered geographic hotspots across the country for HIV diagnoses 
  • The Drop opened as a safe space primarily for young men of color who have sex with other men

The Drop opened in March 2023 under the nonprofit RAIN, offering free STI and HIV testing. Program Manager Devin Cokley says beyond testing, it also serves as a safe space for young men of color who have sex with other men.

The Drop has a food pantry, shower services, media center, clothing closet, counseling and support groups.

"The biggest impact for us is the fact that we're able to change people's lives every day," Cokley said.

The Department of Health and Human Services launched "Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S." in 2019. The Drop is getting federal funding for programming as part of this initiative.

Mecklenburg County is one of 48 counties across the country identified as a geographic hotspot for new HIV diagnoses. Special resources are coming into the area to reach the goal of reducing new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. by 90% by 2025. 

"We have, current to date, have over 1,000 [HIV] tests, which is a record for RAIN. And, we have been able to find 25 positives since the beginning of the year, since March," Cokley said. "Having the doors open has given us the opportunity to serve the community a little bit better."

Miles Perry is on the Community Advisory Board and also uses the services. As a public health professional, Perry says he educates people on preventative measures and medication to stop the spread of the virus.

"They don't have to wait for something to happen. They don't have to wait for a near miss or a scare to really want to be motivated to be on PrEP because it is easily accessible for everybody," Perry said.

The Drop is at 5114 Monroe Road in Charlotte. Staff recommend people with multiple sexual partners get tested at least every three months.