In the news ... 2008

Project Inform welcomes new hotline manager

September 18, 2008

Project Inform is pleased to announce that Alejandra Cano will join the staff starting November 3, 2008 as Bilingual Hotline Services and Community Outreach Manager. This will follow the departure by Jonathan Goldman from the position, who staffed the position for the past year and a half.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Alejandra worked for the last six years at WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) as a peer advocate and program coordinator. By focusing on the individual needs of her clients, her duties included providing HIV treatment, referral information and emotional support to HIV-positive women.

“We’re thrilled to have Alejandra come on board,” said Paul Dalton, Project Inform’s Director of Treatment Information and Advocacy. “She has demonstrated an ability to inspire women living with HIV to take control of their disease and their health. I have known her and her work for several years now. She has helped countless women move from one end of the spectrum to the other … from being passive to proactive … and attain the health care they need and deserve. ”

Over the years, Ms. Cano has become a strong advocate for WORLD and women living with HIV. She continues to do outreach, trying to find the best outreach methods to reach those who most need her help. In addition to her work, Ms. Cano is a member of the Latina Initiative Task Force of the San Francisco Bay Area and co-facilitates a weekly support group for Latinas living with HIV.

“We also owe a large debt of gratitude to Jonathan Goldman for his service to the Hotline and during this transition period,” said Dalton. “We are looking forward to Alejandra build upon the Hotline’s current program and expand its presence in many communities through outreach and networking, which her work at WORLD proves she is well equipped to do.”

Earlier in the year, Project Inform received funding for a bilingual position from Academy of Friends in San Francisco, host to the local annual Oscar’s party. This seed money has helped underwrite this new position which Ms. Cano will start full-time beginning in November.