EXPECT TO GET WET.
LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT MAKING A SPLASH IN THE PHOENIX LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.
OUR MISSION & VISION
We flood our Phoenix LGBTQ+ Community with the love, tools, and information needed to reduce the impact of HIV in each of our lives – regardless of status.
We’ll keep creating focused, long-lasting ripples of awareness throughout the community until each person has access to a cure.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
We’re a back-to-grass-roots project created for our LGBTQ+ community to address today’s HIV virus through impact-focused splashes of awareness, action, love, and celebrations of sexual expression.
RipplePHX’s Team moves throughout the streets each week to empower our friends to create their own ripple by becoming informed, sharing the knowledge, and embracing at least one tool in the greater movement toward sexual health in our community.
NEW LOCATION ANNOUNCED!
We’re excited to announce the signing of a lease at the corner of 15th Ave and Indian School Road (formerly the Latin Market) – soon to be the new home of RipplePHX!
Read more about the location, and the exciting plans for service expansion in the space aimed to open in the Fall of 2023 by viewing the Press Release.
Funding in-part brought to you by:
SOME OF OUR PROUDEST MOMENTS
After leaving Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Jeremy Bright and Jason Jones decided to develop a new HIV outreach project that would be truly back-to-grassroots and from/for their community.
With the incredible support from Alphagraphics on University, Ariel launched as RipplePHX's first mobile outreach unit - able to roll through bars, festivals and more to bring tools and services to the community.
RipplePHX receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS.
RipplePHX was funded for it's first grant: a 5-Year Behavioral Intervention Grant from Arizona's Department of Health Services.
RipplePHX holds the first Mister and Miss RipplePHX Pageant with Phoenix Pride to give two individuals in the community a year-long platform to make an impact around HIV and to qualify for Mister and Miss Phoenix Pride.
"Ariella Grande" launches at Rainbows Festival and is RipplePHX's large, modular unit built for use at large festivals, street fairs and events. Built by 11th Monk3y.
RipplePHX debuts "The Ripplettes" to support and provide HIV outreach to local LGBTQ+ Sports Teams.
Andy Castano's cupcakes were awarded Best Cupcake at the Imperial Court of Arizona's Holiday Bake-Off!
RipplePHX Co-Founder, Jason Jones was named Leader of the Year from ECHO Magazine.
As a way to bring the community together for a large-scale HIV Testing and Fundraising Event, RipplePHX creates and launches it's first Carnival Event at Stacy's @ Melrose.
RipplePHX won 3rd Place Chili for our entry in the Cactus City Softball League's Marla Hooch Chili Cook-Off.
RipplePHX won 1st Place Salsa for our entry in the Cactus City Softball League's Marla Hooch Chili Cook-Off.
RipplePHX's Ariel Outreach Units win the American Academy of HIV Medicine's Technology in Health Care Award.
RipplePHX begins placing "Don't Quit, Do It!" Kits in Pharmacies to promote medication adherence and "Now, Later and Oh Snap!" Kits in Adult Bookstores to promote prevention, PrEP and PEP.
RipplePHX featured in ION Arizona Magazine for being "Fantastic FUNdraisers".
RipplePHX were awarded the FooManitarian Award during the Imperial Court of Arizona's Coronation.
RipplePHX received Phoenix Pride's Kirk Baxter Community Spirit Award!
RipplePHX's "Mexi-Mac" entry in the Imperial Court of Arizona's Macdown Contest snags a win!
A 2-day, Dia de los Muertos celebration is added to RipplePHX's annual Fall Carnival Events.
RipplePHX launches the Carny Takeover Program where other local organizations are invited to takeover our Carnival game tents to meet the community and also share in the Carnival proceeds.
RipplePHX's 3D Gingerbread House entry in the Imperial Court of Arizona's Holiday Baking Challenge snags a win!
RipplePHX was funded for a 1-Year, Educational Grant for it's "Lotería" Project through the National Library of Medicine.
RipplePHX and 8 Key Influencers from the Latinx Community kick-off their new weekly project: Lotería!
When Arizona's Governor put stay-at-home orders in place, RipplePHX's new Lotería project didn't miss a beat and moved from an in-person weekly event to an online virtual event where it would remain throughout the year.
Due to ongoing COVID restrictions, RipplePHX launches a new program called "RippleBriefs" - a weekly mailing sign-up where people can receive HIV information, Condoms of the Week, Medication Adherence Tools, At-Home HIV Test Kits and more!
RipplePHX receives ArizonaDrag.com's Award of Excellence for our contribution to the success of Drag in Arizona.
The RipplePHX Team acquires an old transit bus from a nursing home, guts it and remodels it with the help of Spectrum Medical and Gilead Sciences. The goal: to bring HIV testing services to people outside of Central Phoenix.
RipplePHX received Phoenix Pride's BJ Bud Community Spirit Award during their virtual online award presentation.
RipplePHX is awarded an Early Intervention Services Grant from Ryan White to help connect newly-diagnosed individuals to HIV Care or to help people who have fallen out of care.
RipplePHX brings back the annual Fall Carnival / Día de los Muertos Event to Stacy's @ Melrose, and expands the footprint with a grant from Phoenix Pride.
RipplePHX launches the Sunday Fall Sports Jam with a partnership between 10 Phoenix LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues at Kobalt Bar with a Team of Ripplette Cheerleaders, live bands, food trucks, interactive games and Free HIV Testing!
The Team at Thunderbird Lounge presenting RipplePHX a check for $5,000 during their 1-Year Anniversary Celebration of Loteria at the Melrose District Bar.
RipplePHX receives the coveted "On Eagles Wings" award from Emperor XVI Geo Johnson and Empress XVI Brooklyn Diaz of the Imperial Court of Arizona.
RipplePHX signs lease at the former Latin Market on the corner of 15th Ave & Indian School Road with plans to open to the public with night & weekend services in Fall 2023.
OUR TEAM
ALLEN GRIMSLEY
Allen was born & raised in Glendale, AZ and now lives in Central Phoenix where he loves hanging with his Chiweeni, Princess Coco Chanel. He loves long walks to Chipotle, chilling with a good beer at his favorite bars and reading vogue. Allen has an eye for fashion and went to the Art Institute for fashion design and is now pursuing barbering. Allen’s favorite tattoo is one that says “unless” from his favorite quote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Allen speaks English.
Event Specialist
Call/Text: (623) 303-6073
Email: Allen@RipplePHX.org
JASON JONES
JEREMY BRIGHT
Jeremy is one of the Co-Founders and is the Chief Ripple-Maker at RipplePHX. He loves developing innovative tools to reach into the Phoenix LGBTQ+ community to reduce the impact of HIV – regardless of status. He’s a big fan of all things Star Trek and says there aren’t many days where he doesn’t watch at least one episode of one of the series, saying it brings him peace and hope for a future worth striving for. Jeremy also listens to Bob Marley’s music every day to unwind, embracing Marley’s messages of love, unity and positive change. Before founding RipplePHX, he worked in the world of Marketing, Advertising and Graphic Design.
Jeremy speaks English.
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director
Call/Text: (623) 264-8666
Email: [email protected]
JOSHUA HITCHCOCK
Joshua found his way to RipplePHX while seeking to fill the gaps in education and accessibility to PrEP and HIV Treatment – inspired by some stories from close friends. When he’s not banging down the doors to get people no or low-cost access to PrEP, you may find Josh water skiing, snow skiing, or watching documentaries to wind down, you may find him at one of his favorite restaurants eating steak, Mexican or Vietnamese. He also loves to entertain and collects China and tea sets so you’ll feel like you’re right at home at grandma’s house.
Joshua speaks both English and Spanish.
PrEP Navigation Specialist
Call/Text: (623) 303-7173
Email: [email protected]
MIGUEL FIGUEROA
Miguel is a proud native Phoenician and went to school at Trevor Brown High School (Go Bruins!) before getting his degree from ASU and is now pursuing his masters degree. Miguel loves spending his down-time hanging out with family and working out to clear his head. He loves watching Game of Thrones, Modern Family, and any kind of Action or Superhero movies. Miguel finds his passion opening the doors to folks in the community who are living with HIV who need access to services but don’t know how to get started.
Miguel speaks both English and Spanish.
Medical Case Manager
Call/Text: (623) 264-8652
Email: [email protected]
SILVANO CRUZ-ANTUNEZ
Silvano was born in Mexico City and came to the US when he was 14. He’s a huge animal lover and has 2 dogs and 1 cat, he likes to hike, talk to his plants and considers himself a little dorky with a big side of sassy. Silvano also enjoys camping and paints random stuff. His favorite restaurant is his Mom’s kitchen. Silvano has always been passionate about helping others who deal with long term illnesses and addictions. He’s passionate about combating HIV Stigma, and loves to educate people on HIV awareness, treatment and prevention options.
Silvano speaks both English and Spanish.
Early Intervention Specialist
Call/Text: (623) 264-8651
Email: [email protected]
THE THINGS WE BELIEVE IN THE MOST
COMMUNITY
We believe in the power of Community and strong partnerships! Together, we can bring the love, tools, services and information needed to reduce the impact of HIV in each of our lives. Even if you don't typically seek services on your own, we’ll be asking you to join us in the conversation and embrace tools to make an impact on HIV along the way.
A BOLD SPIRIT
We’re polite, genuine, and enthusiastic – but you can expect our spirit will also be BOLD. We’ll take risks, make you to clutch your pearls, and ask you to join us in conversations that may make you double-take. We believe it takes courage, commitment, passion and innovation to drive change and lessen the impact and stigma of HIV – regardless of status.
IMPACT FOCUSED
We know gay & bi men of color account for the majority of HIV infections in Maricopa County and there’s very little data to indicate the impact of HIV among our transgender community – although we know our trans friends are also affected. By focusing our efforts with the people we know the best, we can make the greatest impact on the virus in Phoenix.
BEING TRANSPARENT
We believe in being transparent along the way. We want our community to support us because they trust us to be committed to the mission and our community. You can see what we’ve accomplished along the way with real-time-reporting so you can see us in action, making an impact.
EMPOWERMENT
Someone once said “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” We’re committed to being at the forefront of tools and information related to HIV – helping you get started with the solutions that are the most realistic and obtainable for you that fit your sexual lifestyle.
SEXUAL EXPRESSION
We believe that healthy sexual expression involves both our bodies and our minds – free from guilt and shame. However you communicate and present yourself to the world as a sexual being, we embrace your sexual expression as an integral part of who you are – from mild to wild and everything (consensual) in-between.
Mobile Data Privacy Policy:
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties.