BEING ALIVE - South Bay

Servicing the community for the past 14 years, BEING ALIVE provides programs and services tailored to persons infected or affected with HIV/AIDS.  Tuesday support groups and lunch with food pantry programs provide a safe environment for persons to talk about issues and concerns of daily life with regards to HIV/AIDS. The “rap group” type setting with and open forum offers education, peer support, and updates on issues pertaining to the disease. A fully balanced/nutritional lunch is provided. Clients may take a home pre-prepared frozen entrée as a source of nutrition and food to those on low, fixed incomes or social security.

ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTERVENTION TEAM

Established in 1991, Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) services the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander community of both L.A. and Orange County. APAIT’s mission is to positively affect the quality of life for Asians and Pacific Islanders living with or at the risk of HIV/AIDS through a continuum of prevention, health and social services, community leadership and advocacy in Southern California.

APAIT-OC’s HIV program “Rice Dish” is a group level intervention and prevention program which provides bi-monthly/weekly psychological support groups for youth and adult gay men at risk for HIV/AIDS. It is has been central key to promoting HIV awareness and education for their target population. www.apaitonline.org

THE BEACON HOUSE ASSOCIATION OF SAN PEDRO

Formally incorporated in 1974, the Beacon House had helped 4,000 men find sobriety through their programs during the last 30+ years. The Association offers food, shelter and counseling to men (18 and older) who seek recovery from the disease of Alcoholism and Addiction.

The “Sobriety Safety Net” or Guest House is a program that is geared towards providing a safe, clean and sober place where HIV positive men can go while they wait to enter long-term treatments programs. Meals, bedding and other personal necessities are furnished while “guests” are being interviewed and assessed. The program helps in making treatment accessible to Blacks, Latinos and the mentally ill. All of which are less likely to obtain treatment for both HIV and alcoholism. www.beaconhouseassociation.com

PROJECT WHOLENESS WELLNESS B.R.U.C.E.

B.R.U.C.E. (Build Reality, Unity and Caring & Empowerment) is committed to assisting persons living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, mental health issues and in recovery from alcohol and drugs. The program offers comprehensive HIV education, intervention, and modules that are proven effective in modifying unhealthy behaviors that lead to HIV/AIDS and STD’s infection.

Say Sistah, S.T.O.P. in the name of Love! is a behavior modification program that uses a unique curriculum that is all-inclusive and is based in the integration of spiritual healing, clinical assessment and traditional HIV/AIDS prevention models. Its’ main target population is that of the African American and Latino women in Long Beach which has been identified in recent studies as “high-risk.

THE SERRA PROJECT

Founded in 1987, The Serra Project services homeless men, women and children (under 18) and women living with HIV/AIDS throughout Los Angeles County. Since it was founded, The Serra Project has housed over 1,000 AIDS-affected persons in their combined programs. Clients are furnished housing and supportive services. Residents are able to improve their physical and mental health, increase activities and daily living skills, increase their access to nutritious foods and ultimately achieve self-sufficiency.

 The Long Beach group home serves low income, homeless adult men and women in the area that are living with HIV/AIDS. It is fully furnished, with 11 bedrooms and located in a quiet residential street with access to medical facilities and other community services. The Group Home acts as a bridge for many clients, health permitting, to transition into independent living.  www.serraproject.org

CARE PROGRAM AT ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1986, the Comprehensive AIDS Resource Education Program (CARE) provides medical, dental, and social services to over 1400 men, women and families. St. Mary’s Medical Center’s- CARE is one of the only HIV/AIDS programs in the nation to offer services, which include the continuum of care. These services include; case management, mental health, nutritional counseling and dedicated family benefits, including an extensive food bank serving 70 families.

The CARE Program Family Food Bank currently serves high-quality, nutritious food to 70 families in the Long Beach area. Twice monthly, families receive necessary grocery, produce and meat items. The Family Bank (FFB) also offers Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE FOUNDATION OF LONG BEACH, INC.

Over the past 17 years, the Substance Abuse Foundation of Long Beach (SAF) has provided drug treatment, housing, and supportive HIV/AIDS services for homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. It has grown from a 6-bed residential program with a small outpatient component, to the largest, 224-bed residential treatment, rehabilitation and housing provider in the greater Long Beach area. It also services more than 190 outpatients daily.

SAF hosts quarterly workshops which feature guest speakers, MDs, client advocates, the LB Health Department, and any other qualified individuals in the community. These workshops are aimed at educating the high-risk, drug using population on harm reduction, high-risk behaviors and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS to their partners.  www.safinc.org

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY- LONGBEACH/ORANGE COUNTY

Strength for the Journey is a one-week ecumenical camp hosted by the United Methodist Church open to men and women who are HIV positive.  Many HIV positive individuals feel rejected by certain parts of the Christian community and offers a safe, supportive, and caring environment to recharge mentally and spiritually.  The camp has four main goals for its participants: 1) learn new skills that will be useful in life, 2) meet new friends to strengthen group support as they live with HIV/AIDS, 3) grow in their relationship with God, 4) find times of playfulness and relaxation so that they can return home feeling renewed.  The camp activities also include daily workshops, as well as group activities, social events, and a nightly closing campfire.

THE CENTER- LONG BEACH 

The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach provides services to support, inform and connect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities through programs of information and education, physical and mental well-being, cultural and social activities, and social justice. They advocate for the inclusion of all individuals into a free and just community, without judgment or restriction due to sexual orientation or gender expression. The Center’s AIDS/HIV Program (CAP) brings much needed direct services to the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community by expanding its collaborations with HIV and AIDS service providers. CAP’s goal it to reduce the transmission of both HIV and STD’s through services that support and inform the Long Beach community. www.centerlb.org

WELLS HOUSE HOSPICE FOUNDATION, INC

Wells House Hospice Program (WHHP) is a highly trained interdisciplinary treatment team that has been providing compassionate treatment and end-of-life care since 1997. WHHP provides treatment with a strong emphasis on pain management and increasing the comfort of the resident and family members as much as possible during the final stages of life. Their unique Complimentary Alternative Therapies (CAT) group consists of miscellaneous medical, health care and healing systems other than mainstream healthcare in the United States. WHHF provides aromatherapy, art therapy, massage therapy, music therapy and pet-assisted therapy. CAT involves all the aspects of life-mind, body, spirit and environment. The major goal of all of these therapies is to assist in reducing stress, depression, apathy, loneliness and negative thinking. www.wellsfund.org    

THE AIDS FOOD STORE, INC.

In 1985, the AIDS Food Store was founded as a service to provide much needed nutrition assistance and care for men, women, and children in the greater Long Beach are who are living with AIDS/HIV disabilities. They have made a strong commitment that no person need ever feel hungry or unloved. Their mission throughout the years is unchanged that of caring and sharing. This is all done in an attempt to provide a better standard of living by helping to alleviate clients’ food anxieties. In addition to distributing food to its clients, the volunteer staff provides “hugs” which are very important in providing care and love.