Jim Ochoa (facing camera) and his domestic partner Vieblz (far left) host a dinner party to thank their Shanti volunteers Cintelmo (Teamo) Alvarado (second to right) and Tony Molina (far right), circa 1994.
Shanti began to grapple with its need to offer more services to Spanish speaking clients and by the late 1980’s what eventually became known as The Latino Program began to more directly provide services. Initially the services for the Latino Program centered on providing Spanish translation at Volunteer trainings and eventually held trainings entirely in Spanish. But, through the efforts of Latnix and non-Latinx Spanish speaking Shanti staff members and volunteers the Latino Program became a vibrant part of the organization during the 1990s. Roberto Garcia left his position as a SF General Hospital Counselor and took over the role that had been started by activist Ali Marrero. Garcia began to expand the program’s reach to include activities and events organized through the People with AIDS Activities program. Clients in the Emotional and Practical Support programs (and later the merged Client Services Program) could request Latinx volunteers via the Latino Program.
Tony Molina is on the far right. The obituary is correct; he was a fabulous queena (and one of my sisters).
Thank you Tina! I will correct that today.