Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Bay Area Reporter - June 11, 1999
Cynthia Laird
Owens told the Bay Area Reporter the response from HIV-affected people interested in volunteering for the hotline has been very positive. Project Inform rescheduled the spring hotline training from its original dates in May in order to accommodate people who have shown an interest in volunteering, yet were unable to complete the interview process last month. Owens added that bilingual Spanish/English volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.
A committed group of hotline volunteers staffs PI's national HIV/AIDS treatment hotline, Owens said. Once trained, they answer calls, provide HIV treatment information, give callers support in developing strategies that work for them, and help them determine the best way to access treatment. The toll-free hotline fields nearly 40,000 calls a year from all the diverse communities affected by the AIDS epidemic. Callers include men, women, youth, transgender, and people of color who are HIV-positive; doctors, nurses, service providers, and social workers; and family and friends of people living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 35 percent of the hotline callers are women, Owens said. A specialized mail service provides callers with the most up-to-date printed information available. All services are free.
PI, established in 1985 as a national, nonprofit, community-based HIV/AIDS treatment information and advocacy organization, also offers its publication, PI Perspective, and other information publications; educational town hall meetings; online services; and research and drug access advocacy programs.
Prospective volunteers need to fill out a volunteer application and meet with Owens before attending the first training session. Walk-ins are not permitted. New hotline operators are asked to commit to at least one hotline shift per week for a minimum of six months. Hotline shifts are during business hours Monday through Friday and on Saturdays.
To get a volunteer application or for more information on the hotline training sessions, call Owens at (415) 558-8669, ext. 218, or e-mail VOLUNTEER@projinf.org. Other information about PI is available on the web at http://www.projinf.org.
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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