Free HIV testing available at health center

TORRINGTON — Community Health and Wellness Center provides free, confidential HIV testing at both its Torrington and Winsted locations.

In recognition of AIDS Awareness day on April 18, CHWC is giving a free gift card to the first 30 people who get tested throughout the month of April.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV, and one in six do not know they are infected. The center urges people to “take the test—know your status” with an HIV test that provides results in 20 minutes.

CHWC testing locations and times are as follows: CHWC, Torrington, 469 Migeon Ave.: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; CHWC Winsted, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Torrington FISH: Thursdays 8:30-10 a.m.; Winsted Soup Kitchen, last Wednesday of every month 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and the Winsted Salvation Army, last Wednesday of the month 2-4 p.m.

An individual does not need to be a patient of CHWC to have an HIV test. No appointment is necessary during the scheduled testing times. CHWC offers HIV treatment and prevention programs. For information and for confidential questions/answers call 860-387-0490.

The Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington, its employees, volunteer practitioners, board members, officer, and independent contractors are deemed to be employees of the Federal Public Health and Human Services. Services are accessible and provided without discrimination and where all people matter regardless of their ability to pay.

The center offers and continues to develop a range of healthcare services for the underserved throughout northwest Connecticut, including medical, dental, and counseling services. It strives to achieve the reputation of “provider of choice” for affordable, high quality services that achieve positive patient outcomes in a welcoming and caring environment. It collaborates and advocates with other organizations to increase the region’s capacity to meet the communities’ health and wellness needs.

CHWC is located at 469 Migeon Ave. in Torrington, and 115 Spencer St. in Winsted, with the following satellite locations: FISH of Torrington, 332 South Main St. in Torrington; Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert St. in Torrington; The Open Door Soup Kitchen, 160 Main St. in Winsted; YMCA Emergency Shelter, 480 Main St. in Winsted; Torrington Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect St. in Torrington; and Oliver Wolcott Technical School, 75 Oliver St. in Torrington.