Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Area Reporter - November 6, 2008
Heather Tirado Gilligan
ALRP depends on donations for a majority of its budget, and is holding a fundraising reception in honor of its 25th anniversary next Thursday, November 13.
"A lot of what we were doing was responding to people who needed emergency wills," explained Bill Hirsh, the executive director of ALRP, of the marked difference between the organization's work today and its focus 25 years ago.
"You would run out to the hospital and do an emergency will for your client." Hirsh said, adding that most of these clients died shortly after their wills were drawn up.
"Wills are now about 10 percent of what we do," Hirsh continued. "People are coming for assistance not only for dying but living with HIV."
Learning to manage the disease has created a host of secondary problems for people living with HIV/AIDS, Hirsh explained. In response, ALRP had shifted from a panel of attorneys focused on writing wills to a panel of attorneys that can assist people with a whole array of legal needs.
Housing assistance is the first priority of the legal panel, with two staff attorneys devoted to helping HIV-positive people with eviction notices and fair housing complaints.
One staff attorney is assigned to assist clients in managing insurance problems under a new program that has served over 200 clients in 2008 alone.
Employment and immigration issues are also a focus of the clinic, which is served by a battery of Bay Area lawyers - more than 700 - who volunteer their time to the panel. ALRP also has five staff attorneys.
About 40 percent of ALRP's annual budget of $800,000 is comprised of government funds. The remaining 60 percent of the budget comes from foundation giving and individual donations.
"We are bracing for a very tough year next year," said Hirsh. Government funding on the state and city level are expected to decrease, as is funding from foundations.
Over the past three years, the ALRP has seen its client demand increase by 36 percent. Last year, ALRP assisted 1,500 clients with over 2,000 cases. Many clients have more than one legal issue to resolve, Hirsh explained.
"Sometimes it's hard for people to understand why legal needs are important relative to medical care and food," Hirsh said. "Nobody really thinks they need an attorney until they get an eviction notice or a denial of services [from an insurance company]."
"For many people [legal problems] can be overwhelming," Hirsh added. "For people with HIV/AIDS, it's completely overwhelming."
ALRP client Greg Daniels appreciates the agency, which helped him obtain a significant jury settlement in a successful employment case, Hirsh said.
"This is a great day for justice for the little guy," Daniels said after his case concluded. "I only hope this demonstrates to all people living with HIV/AIDS in California that they do have recourse when they are discriminated against."
Another client, Greg Curatolo, now serves on ALRP's board.
"I love being here at ALRP," he said. "This work, these people ... gave me my dignity back. Not only did ALRP help me with my housing issue, but they respected me and gave me a chance to show who I am and what I can do."
With the theme "From the Heart," the reception will recognize several honorees for their service to ALRP. Attorney Frederick Hertz will receive the Clint Hockenberry Leadership Award; lawyer Stephen Sommers will receive the 2008 Attorney of the Year Award; and the 2008 Firm of the Year Award will be presented to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno will deliver the keynote address.
The benefit is from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Gold Room at the Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco. Tickets start at $75, and the agency will raise additional funds with silent and live auctions at the event. For more information, go to http://www.alrp.org.
081106
BR081101
Copyright © 2008 - The Bay Area Reporter. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the The Bay Area Reporter.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .