Youth partnering with community for social justice and health represents the vision for The SPOT. Tru
12/23/2025
The holidays can be bright on the outside and lonely on the inside.
If you feel disconnected or unseen, you’re not the only one. So many people are carrying more than they show.
You don’t need to force gratitude or joy.
You don’t need to pretend.
You matter, even on the loneliest days.
12/22/2025
The SPOT will be closed 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 1/1.
This is your final reminder that the last day of testing before Christmas will be this upcoming Tuesday (12/23)!
12/21/2025
Christmas was never meant to feel rushed or draining.
It’s meant for quiet moments, shared laughter, and time with the people who matter most.
May we give ourselves permission to slow down, breathe deeply, and let this season feel gentle again.
12/20/2025
Along with sharing your time to volunteer, don't forget to express your gratitude to your friends! Pick a compliment and pass it along to a friend.
12/19/2025
The holidays can easily become overwhelming, but a little planning and open conversation can make all the difference:
- Talk with your family about expectations and plans so everyone feels heard and included.
- Plan meals, gifts, and schedules ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on connection and make time for meaningful moments.
- Give yourself permission to step back and breathe when things feel hectic.
Remember that the holidays are about shared experiences and the people you love, not checking off endless tasks!
12/18/2025
Whether it's silent nights or magical mornings, what does your self-care look like this December?
12/17/2025
Although TNC won't be happening for the rest of the year, come drop by The SPOT anytime for deeper navigation into conversations around the holidays, life, and more!
12/16/2025
The SPOT will be closed 12/24 - 12/26, 12/31, and 1/1!
This is your reminder to get your appointments in ahead of time.
Only 16 more days until the end of the year!
12/15/2025
When you come in to get tested, we ask a few questions, and there’s a reason for that: timing matters.
Different HIV tests detect exposure at different points. Knowing your timeline helps us offer you the right test.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Within 72 hours: Emergency options like EC or PEP may be available.
Day 14+: The determined HIV test can start detecting HIV.
Day 30+: Other HIV tests become reliable.
HIV testing itself takes just a few minutes, but knowing your status can change everything.
At The SPOT, it’s fast, free, and confidential– always. What’s your timeline?
12/14/2025
What is a toxic relationship phrase you want to leave in 2025?
Some of our examples include: consent baiting, emotional blackmail, and guilt-tripping.
12/11/2025
When it comes to test anxiety, especially during finals, you may forget what the powerhouse of the cell is or what equation to use for question 2.
For situations when anxiety arises, try the 3-3-3 rule.
• Name 3 things you see
• Name 3 things you hear
• Move 3 parts of your body
Take a sensory vacation by focusing on your senses and grounding yourself by feeling your feet on the floor.
If nothing else, get some rest beforehand! Cramming does not necessarily mean that you will remember information right before the exam.
12/10/2025
Some of the hardest things are not yelling at the people you don't like, but listening to those who hold a different view from yours.
Listening, learning, and acting are all ways we respect and value the people in our communities.
When we make the effort to understand one another, we help create spaces where everyone feels seen and protected.
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Founded in 2008, the SPOT meets the needs of ALL youth between the ages of 13-24 with a comprehensive set of FREE medical and support services in a safe, youth-friendly environment. Our staff has met the needs of over 19,000 youth seeking medical care, social services, substance abuse assessments and counseling, mental health counseling, a safe place to hang out and much more.
Our philosophy requires that the SPOT be structured around the following guiding principles:
remove barriers that currently impede youth from seeking or obtaining health and prevention services;
create a center separate from a child or adult clinic environment that is youth-specific;
combine needed health and social services into a single setting;
engage youth in all aspects of the program development and allow opportunities for their leadership to be fostered;
successfully link youth into the existing healthcare system by addressing and eliminating specific barriers.
The SPOT is open Monday-Friday and provides the following services:
Drop-in: grab a snack, take a shower, do laundry, work on the computer, watch TV, participate in structured activities, and take home safer s*x kits;
Medical care: FREE medical services available Monday-Friday 1-5PM on a first-come first-serve basis (pregnancy testing, birth control, pap smears, STD testing, strep tests, etc.)
Counseling: talk to a licensed counselor about coping with stress, depression/sadness, anxiety/worries, alcohol/drugs, s*xuality and gender, work, school, trauma/bullying, or any problem or goal;
Testing: walk-in testing every day for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and trichomoniasis, plus free treatment for positive results;
Case management: finding a place to stay, applying for public benefits, getting vital documents, job readiness and resume development, assistance with hygiene supplies and clothing, etc.
In the end, it doesn’t matter why you come by. You’ll always feel like you belong at the SPOT.
