Since the mid-1990s, MOCHA Buffalo has been a program for Black and brown LGBTQ+ communities to socialize and get access to sexual healthcare. An acronym of its original name—the Men of Color Health Awareness Project—MOCHA has redefined itself over the years to be more inclusive and provide expanded resources. Joining Evergreen Health last spring, the hub’s recent reworking is all for the cause to further support their community.
“We stepped it up,” says Dejuan Burnell.
Burnell, who’s been visiting the MOCHA Center since he was 15 and at Evergreen Health since May 2021, is now the center’s program manager. Along with Tamarie Novo, director of supportive services at Evergreen Health, Burnell is leading the charge at MOCHA to create fully equipped and fully serviced space when it comes to sexual healthcare.
“It’s a lot more clinical,” Burnell says. “The data work that I put in looks different.”
The partnership with Evergreen Health provides a sharper focus on educating at-risk youth and offering streamlined healthcare that caters to each individual’s needs. MOCHA has also expanded its services: Whether it’s supplying condoms, offering free testing or advising on PEP/PrEP treatments, there’s a guided effort towards preventive care.
“What makes MOCHA stand apart from a lot of different programs is that we do free STI testing, HIV testing, HCV testing,” says Novo, who adds that they work closely with the Pride Center of WNY. “We are the only program that does STI testing, which is huge.”
The staff at MOCHA Center is always finding opportunities to align the medical and social elements of the space. Situated next door to Evergreen Health’s primary office at 200 S. Elmwood Ave., the MOCHA Center hosts monthly support groups that focus exclusively on certain identities within the LGBTQ+ community. MOCHA also maintains its cultural relevance through games, outreach and social media, with community health workers Johanna and Angelica utilizing creative outlets to broaden MOCHA’s reach.
“We do TikToks. I think it’s important to know the audience,” Angelica says. “I think it’s important to stay true to the MOCHA brand. We’re for us, by us…they know the authenticity.”
A quick tap to MOCHA’s Instagram (@themochacenter) brings up fun videos of the staff and attendees voguing, sharing their man-crush Mondays, promoting future events and spreading informational tidbits. From viewing parties to empowerment gatherings, there's a deep communal energy that’s a major part of the center.
“A big aspect of MOCHA in general is the family aspect. We all come from very different backgrounds,” Johanna says. “Once you walk through that door, the outside problems don't matter anymore because you know you’re around your family. You can talk to us.”
Whether it’s a concerned parent, an eager teen or an elder visiting in, MOCHA’s staff is keen on forming relationships—and fostering long lasting effects. With Evergreen Health’s support, MOCHA is better armed to connect people in need with specific care.
“One of the benefits of being a part of Evergreen over the past year is that when MOCHA staff is assessing what’s going on with a patient, we can in-house refer them to what they possibly might need because we’re connected,” Novo says. “Whether it’s something with mental health, primary, specialty care, housing.”
Fully settled in at Evergreen Health now, the MOCHA Center is looking forward to hosting more events this year—fresh off a packed Pride Month—strengthening its outreach initiatives and continuing to provide the best resources for positive sexual health.
“We want to make sure our community is good,” Johanna says.
