Safe, Supportive, and Stigma-Free

In Asbury Park, a quiet but powerful movement is changing lives. At the heart of it all is Prevention Resource Network (PRN), a program of VNA Health Group’s Children & Family Health Institute. Through HIV prevention and support, LGBTQ+ community engagement, and harm reduction outreach, PRN is meeting people where they are and helping them move forward.

Funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of HIV, STD, and TB Services, PRN provides high-impact, community-based services to reduce risk behaviors and improve health outcomes in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Located at 816 Sunset Ave, in the former North Asbury Train Station.

“Prevention Resource Network is about meeting people where they are, whether that’s physically in the community, emotionally in their journey, or clinically in their care,” said Shannon Preston, MSW, LSW, Director of HIV Community Services at VNA Health Group. “We focus on reducing harm, empowering individuals, and ensuring every person has access to culturally competent, affirming, and trauma-informed care.”

PRN’s programming spans three main areas: HIV prevention & support services, Project R.E.A.L., and the Harm Reduction Center. Each features distinct services, tailored to the unique needs of the communities they serve:

HIV Prevention & Support Services

PRN’s HIV prevention and support services offer practical, compassionate care that addresses both immediate health needs and long-term well-being. These include rapid testing, case management, PrEP counseling, and STI screening, all designed with accessibility and dignity at the core.

Rapid HIV testing is one of PRN’s most in-demand services. This free, confidential screening provides results in just 20 minutes and is conducted by trained counselors who also offer individualized risk-reduction support. If a person tests positive through a second confirmatory test, PRN’s team ensures immediate connection to care and treatment.

PRN also offers community-based, non-medical case management for people living with HIV. Case managers meet clients wherever they feel most comfortable: at home, in the community, or at the center. Managers then connect them to medical, social, financial, and mental health services. Often, these services are delivered alongside Community Health Workers who share lived experiences with those they serve.

PrEP counselors support HIV-negative individuals, particularly gay and bisexual men who may feel they are at increased risk. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection. Counselors assist clients in finding prescribing physicians, navigating medication payment assistance programs, and addressing questions related to adherence and treatment. Each client receives a one-on-one assessment and an individualized care plan tailored to their needs.

PRN also provides free, confidential STI testing, along with access to counseling and follow-up care to ensure comprehensive sexual health support.

Harm Reduction Center & Mobile Unit

The Harm Reduction Center acknowledges a critical reality: not all people who use substances are ready or willing to stop. PRN’s services are built on compassion and practicality, focusing on reducing risk while supporting each individual’s journey.

Key services include:

• Syringe Access Program (SAP): Open weekdays, SAP distributes sterile equipment and safer use education to prevent infections and injuries.
• Harm Reduction Counseling: Non-judgmental, client-centered support that includes monthly support groups for people who feel stigmatized in sober spaces.
• ARCH Nurse Services: On-site HIV, HCV, STD, and pregnancy testing; wound care; case management; and medical referrals.
• Chem Sex Harm Reduction: Tailored for gay and bi men, offering education and resources on safer sex and substance use practices.
• Overdose Prevention: Includes Narcan distribution, fentanyl test strips, and education on the Good Samaritan Law.
• Low Threshold Buprenorphine Program: Provides accessible treatment for opioid use disorder with minimal barriers.

Perhaps the most innovative aspect is PRN’s mobile Harm Reduction Center, a fully equipped outreach unit that travels throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The mobile unit distributes naloxone, sterile syringes, and harm-reduction supplies, accepts used syringe returns, and guides individuals toward treatment, housing, and other essential services.

“This mobile unit is about more than just supplies; it’s about dignity and access,” said Preston. “We bring care to people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”

Project R.E.A.L.

Serving LGBTQ+ young adults ages 18 to 34, Project R.E.A.L. (Real Empowerment on All Levels) creates community through support groups, social events, and leadership opportunities.

Monthly programs include REAL Talk, which features honest, inclusive sexual health education; Trans Time, a bi-monthly social and support group tailored for transgender participants; and a core group of volunteers who plan events and guide the space’s direction.

Beyond peer connection, Project R.E.A.L. offers sexual health advocacy, housing referrals, HIV/STD testing, and access to therapy.

“We’re cultivating a space where LGBTQ+ youth can not only find resources, but find each other,” said Preston. “Community is one of the most powerful tools for health.”

A Model for Holistic Public Health

From rapid testing to overdose prevention, gender-affirming care to peer-led programming, PRN exemplifies a holistic approach to public health, rooted in empathy, inclusion, and action.

“We’re not just reacting to public health crises,” Preston emphasized. “We are proactively building healthier communities by creating access, fostering trust, and meeting people exactly where they are.”