Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Area Reporter - August 3, 2006
Rob Akers
"The need for high quality, culturally competent HIV services for APIs in the East Bay continues to increase. We are excited to be able to grow our presence throughout the Bay Area to ensure access to services for all members of our communities," stated John Manzon-Santos, executive director.
API's new site is located at 350 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 603, in downtown Oakland's City Center area. The old site has been located since its opening three years ago next to the AIDS Project of the East Bay at 19th and Broadway in Oakland. The new City Center location is near the 12th Street BART station
Deputy director Lance Toma said the AIDS Project of the East Bay's recent move to a new site, plus additional funding recently garnered by API, facilitated additional services and its move. He said the new site is expected to help API expand its services in Alameda County. API also serves clients in San Francisco, San Mateo County, and other locations.
"We are extremely excited about this new location as an opportunity to grow and increase our visibility in the East Bay," said Toma. "We are continuing to create an awareness of HIV/AIDS outside of San Francisco and pride ourselves in addressing the stigma related to living with HIV/AIDS. Our presence here has been a response to the demand for multi-lingual, culturally competent HIV/AIDS services for APIs in the area."
In addition to the current services being provided, including treatment case management, peer advocacy, and support group services to APIs living with, or at risk for HIV/AIDS, the center will soon begin hepatitis and HIV/AIDS testing.
API also plans to put to use its FLARE Project (Fostering Leadership for Asians and Pacific Islanders through Research and Evaluation) funded by the federal Office of Minority Health to help increase the effectiveness of existing agencies and stakeholders in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties.
A total of four full-time staff members will operate out of the new East Bay location, Toma said.
Next week's open house is free and interested community members are encouraged to attend, Toma added.
In other news, a successor has yet to be named to replace Manzon-Santos, who announced in June that he would be stepping down after 10 years as executive director.
For more information about API Wellness Center services and programs in the East Bay call Juan Acosta at (415) 292-3420, ext. 327, or e-mail juan@apiwellness.org. For information on the agency, visit www.apiwellness.org.
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