Adult Latinos Return to the Classroom in Droves

In my day-to-day work as Executive Director of Regis University Dual Language Campus in the Denver area, I am immersed in a world of remarkable individuals who in increasing numbers are finding their way back to the classroom. From the student perspective, I find that one or a combination of the following factors drive this behavior:

-Adult students seek to improve quality of life for themselves and their families, and thus see education as a path to professional advancement and/or entrepreneurial activities.

-The Dual Language Campus offers an opportunity to complete a program that was out on hold by life’s serendipitous events. Over 50% of adult students are mothers. Some wish to complete a degree before children enter demanding elementary school years, while others have raised families and are refocusing on their own careers and potential.

-In some cases, adults have professional credits acquired abroad they wish to apply to new academic pursuits or a career change.

-Career executives face the need to update and expand professional skills -especially in areas of technology, language, and cultural skills- in the face of globalization and an increasingly competitive job market.

-Adults may have embraced a social cause and seek the professional skills to work toward a mission or activities that fuel their passion. I see growing enrollment of professionals across industries, transitioning to nonprofit management.

-The 50/50 education model of the Dual Language Campus, where classes alternate weekly between English and Spanish, provides Spanish-dominant speakers a unique higher education setting where degrees can be completed as English language skills are strengthened. For native English speaking professionals, the campus opens the window of global opportunity, immersing them in Spanish language and Latino cultural training as they work toward their degrees. It offers competitive skills for career advancement and business development in the $1.2 trillion U.S. Hispanic market.

An overlooked aspect of bilingualism and higher education, though, is the faculty. In conversations with our growing talented and accomplished bilingual faculty, I engage professionals from across the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe, who affirm that at Regis University Dual Language Campus they have found a cultural home. There is a vibrant academic environment as many Ph.D.’s and Masters of all fields of professional expertise converge to give back to the Denver community. This group of distinguished faculty members breaks ground in bilingual higher education and professional cultural competency every day.

The Denver area community has embraced this new campus. Community leaders are supportive of its work and adults believe in its potential. I also agree that for adults with English language challenges, this campus may represent the only opportunity for higher education and societal advancement in the Western region. Yet there is something more that can be felt in the halls of this university campus. It explains why adults drive from as far away as Cheyenne, Wyoming once a week to attend its classes, despite the hardships of long winter commutes. It is the energy of those forging a new path to the future and success and it is a privilege to share this experience in 2013.

As a student recently told me with a smile, “We are making a difference in American society.”

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

 

Latino Children and The Dream Act Dialogue

For three days now, the media reports young adults have lined up in different cities to acquire information and begin the paper intensive process of applying for the benefits of “The Dream Act Lite,” a controversial measure President Obama has pushed forward to address the issue of undocumented adults who are in the United States and who represent a dilemma for political campaigns, legislators, and even hard core thinkers who state, “illegal is illegal.”

I am weighing in on this topic because parent-prompted immigration was also part of my childhood, as described in my book, “Reinventing Yourself In The Face of Change.” And as the discussion and controversy continues, I wonder at the events of my own life. I was a U.S. citizen, born to Mexican parents who were legal residents of this country. While comfortable thanks to an exemplary work ethic and the resulting middle class comforts of life, they yearned to instill in their children their cultural roots and language as well as bring them closer to their large family a country away. In their minds, their children could pursue affordable higher education at Mexico’s National University, a prestigious public institution, an opportunity that had been denied to both of them as they each lost a parent and faced financial/cultural struggles in the aftermath. Their message to us from our earliest years was loud and clear, “I couldn’t, but you will.”

Thus, in pursuit of a vision and in my eyes, by circumstances of my life – and this is why I connect to children who were being pulled north – my mother and father executed a carefully planned relocation that took me on a southern route to reside in Mexico.

I shake my head when I hear angry posturing of those who say, “They are still illegal,” They came here as criminals,” and so forth. How absurd. I know firsthand that it never crossed my mind that I had any choice or say in the matter when moving to another country. My father said we were going and we went. Compliance was a respectful behavior and a family obligation. Let me put it this way: What would you have expected a 13-year old in my case to say? “Dad, uh…I’m not coming. See you!” Really?

The core of the discussion is immigration policy. It is the “hot potato” leaders refuse to touch, though the United States immigration system is outdated and responds to a post-WWII economy. Global competitiveness, ease of travel, and technology have changed the world. Deep immigration reform is required and is inevitable.

The exponential growth of immigrant communities in America and their increasing financial/political power will continue to put this issue and opportunity on the table. Inaction will not make it go away.

And this begs the question: How does social justice manifest itself for young adults who were brought to this country when they were young through a decision not their own? How does our American society reward valor, service, academic achievement, and good behavior of these individuals? Do we continue to push them aside or away from opportunities and the rewards of the American Dream for obeying their parents, contrary to our usual family-friendly attitude? Or do we set aside the pettiness of imposing “sins of the father” sentences on their future and instead harness their minds, hard work, and courage in addressing the challenges our economy and future present?

Like you, I read the stories of brilliant graduates that cannot contribute to their industries, children who see their parents deported, adults who endure the stress of driving without a license or insurance, who will not report a crime, or who are underemployed despite studying or serving in our Armed Forces. It is wrong.

If the compass of my life had gone north instead of south, perhaps my story would have been like theirs. Children follow their fathers and mothers and regardless of how you view their parents’ choices, are children to blame? Of course not.

It’s time to have an adult conversation and search deep in our American hearts for the will to address this issue.

Time and time again, we touch our deepest emotions for those who hunger, are displaced by war, suffer natural disasters, and ail of mind and body. We are especially drawn to the plight of children who suffer. As i work in communities among committed individuals who contribute time and resources to nonprofit organizations and causes, I am filled with American pride and cherish our philanthropic spirit, generosity, Christian values, and diversity.

I believe we, as a society, will have our heart in the right place on The Dream Act and immigration reform if we can tone down the level of combative political posturing. Let’s act upon the facts and potential benefits to society on behalf of the “children that were.”

I have faith it will be done.

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

 

Hospice Care and the Business/Societal Case for Cultural Competency

This post began with a conversation with a health care colleague at a networking event as we discussed the challenges of communicating with families in the process of delivering care. I shared some examples of opportunities I have found in my own experience working with health benefits and health care, many times prompting me to generate my own communication tools and even to become a certified medical interpreter in order to be of service to the community.

I shared that with a significant degree of certainty, I know grave errors are made with direct translation, and a classic case is that of hospice care. When Hispanics who are 1st or 2nd generation with roots in Latin America (LATAM) countries hear the term ‘hospice,’ even in the context of “hospice care,” I am sure the conversation is a non-starter.

It reflects how important cultural and language skills are in the dynamics of health care.

Let me explain.

In Mexico, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Guadalajara area is the “Hospicio Cabañas,” a World Heritage Site. Today, it houses the fine art work of famed Mexican muralist, Jose Clemente Orozco. You may have seen “The Man of Fire.”

So, and back to my point, hospicio is hospice and hospice is hospicio,right? Wrong!

You see, Hospicio Cabañas was founded as an orphanage and almshouse and the poorest members of society were taken in as an act of mercy. It is common knowledge.

And it was not the best of settings. Heads of Hospicio Cabañas residents were shaven to prevent head lice from spreading and as food was not abundant, any meal offering was in all likelihood met with ravenous hunger. Thus, even now, the phrase, “Comes cómo pelón de hospicio,”- You eat like a bald headed one from the hospice – is the equivalent of the phrase, “You eat like a horse,” with an add-on of desperation. An alternative expression in jest is, “Comes cómo Niño Dios…Diospicio…”with the same meaning.

An online journey of language dictionaries from different LATAM nations demonstrates that this definition of hospicio extends beyond Mexican borders. An online dictionary from Argentina defines hospicio as “a shelter that offers lodging and education to poor, abandoned, or orphan children.” Another states, “Home destined for housing pilgrims and the poor.” Worse yet, others read, “house that shelters beggars,” and “any charity shelter.”

Is it any wonder Hispanic families cringe in horror at the mention of putting a terminally ill parent or family member in such a place, a hospice, a “hospicio?”

“How’s your mom?”

“Oh, we placed her in a hospicio…”

The reaction would be total shock.

Who would be comforted by the idea of surrendering a loved one to an orphanage or homeless shelter in time of illness and emotional need? Imagine the psychological torment of even contemplating such an option or having to explain the choice to siblings, family, extended family, and friends?

Clearly the information needs fine tuning to deliver the meaning. Transcreation, not translation, language skilled professionals, and organizational cultural competency are required.

There is much to be done in the area of hospice and palliative care in terms of education and culturally relevant/in-language communications. In the context of a complex, fragmented health care system, it must be assigned priority. It is inconceivable that the health care system would present information for end of life care to Hispanic families and confront them with choices without culturally competent professionals that can educate them and clearly explain what they are talking about in terms that make sense, not a direct translation that uses the word hospicio.

This example, in my opinion, is the most direct case for pursuing cultural competency in health care in family medicine and senior care. Let’s abandon the word “hospice” for better options in Spanish and even in English, when dealing with Hispanic patients and their families. LATAM countries speak in reverence of their seniors with terms like adultos mayores (older adults); personas en años dorados (persons in golden years), and even abuelitos (grandparents,) which does not identify their societal role, but instead is an endearing bow to their age group.

Much can be gleaned from the conversations in senior and end of life care in LATAM nations to build best practices as well as in language/culturally competent communication for the U.S health care system.

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

 

Controversial, valiente, creativa y una mujer para la eternidad: Un Tributo Latino a Frida Kahlo

   El momento de mi primer encuentro con el arte de Frida Kahlo encontró mi pequeña manita alojada dentro de la de otro artista, mi padre, Sixto. Al visitar el Museo de Arte Moderno en la Ciudad de México, el compartió su interpretación de la obra de gran escala, “Las Dos Fridas” que se exhibía prominentemente en el remate de  la escalera principal. Me parecieron fascinantes las imágenes paralelas así como las arterias y venas que entretejían los corazones. Era una declaración de amor y poder, algo que intrigaba mi joven mente. A la fecha, continúa siendo una de mis obras favoritas de Frida.

   La vida me ha llevado a ver más del arte de Frida Kahlo y su esposo, Diego Rivera en vestíbulos de hoteles, edificios de gobierno, retrospectivas y colecciones de museos. Con el paso del tiempo, adquirí un ropero hecho por artesanos de Michoacán con uno de sus autorretratos al frente y sus palabras, “Pies, pa’ que los quiero si tengo alas para volar”.

   Al igual que otros profesionales del campo de la diversidad, me gusta compartir mi cultura. He obsequiado libros de arte, posters, y joyería de Frida Kahlo a amistades y colegas en otros países. (Esto no siempre ha tenido el resultado esperado. Nunca olvidare la ocasión cuando le regale un alhajero con uno de los autorretratos de Frida a una de mis gerentes de mercadotecnia. Me miro confundida y otro compañero intervino, explicándole que la que la artista portaba en la cabeza era parte del traje típico de Tehuana. “Es del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. ¿Te acuerdas de Oaxaca? ¿Las ruinas de Monte Albán?” “Ah, si,’ le respondió. “¡Ricardo Montalbán!” “¡Noooo!” fue la reacción colectiva. Nos tomo un buen rato resolver la confusión.)

   Otro de mis momentos favoritos de Frida se dio una noche en Long Beach, California al escuchar al historiador de arte y experto de cultura Latina, Gregorio Luke, quien había convocado a los residentes del estado a un evento llamado, “Murales Bajo las Estrellas”. Después de asistir a sus eventos de los muralistas Diego Rivera y David Alfaro Siqueiros, la velada estaba plena de promesa para los enamorados de Frida y el conferencista rebaso esa expectativa. En esa forma excepcional que solo puede entregar el Don Gregorio, su magistral narrativa  retorno a la vida a Frida, envuelta en el tiempo vibrante de una sociedad en transformación. Paso a paso, nos llevo por el recorrido de sus obras en el contexto histórico que llevara a la creación de cada una. Sus palabras imprimieron una pasión de Frida mas profunda en cada asistente. Esto me ha llevado a contemplar su obra con nuevos ojos de descubrimiento.

    La nota de esta mañana que reportó que hoy seria el cumpleaños 105o. de Frida Kahlo, evocó el recuerdo del accidente de su juventud cuando su autobús chocó con un tranvía. Además de las fracturas y heridas a su cuerpo por el impacto, experimentó el trauma del barandal de hierro que penetró su abdomen y útero. Esto por encima de las fracturas de columna, clavícula, costillas, y pelvis, fracturas múltiples en una pierna derecha, un pie hecho trizas y un hombro dislocado.

     Como miembro de la industria de salud y viendo los avances actuales de triaje, traumatología, y profesionalismo de los servicios de emergencia, es lógico concluir que lo que se tornó en una vida de dolor físico y psicológico hubiera tenido un resultado distinto para la paciente hoy en día. Al elevarse los estándares de protección al paciente y la calidad de servicios médicos, nuestra sociedad suele olvidar el progreso que se ha dado en décadas recientes y como individuos y equipos han cambiado para siempre el campo de la medicina y nuestras vidas.

     Me pregunto, “¿Sera qué una vida más fácil hubiera robado al mundo y futuras generaciones del arte y la postura valiente de Frida Kahlo, la mujer? Me gusta pensar que no, ya que los artistas nacen con ese impulso creativo que se desborda y emerge en una expresión estética de algún tipo o forma. El arte no se puede reprimir. Para Frida, esta claro que se convirtió en un instrumento para sobrellevar relaciones difíciles, vencer temores, soportar el dolor, y experimentar y maximizar su expresión de gozo, amor, y la libertad de ser ella misma.

     Su espíritu inquebrantable y su vida se tradujeron en un obsequio de autenticidad para las Latinas y mujeres de todo el mundo lo que representa su mejor legado. Me enorgullece haberla conocido a través de su arte.

Feliz cumpleaños, Frida!

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

Acerca de Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez, FACHE, MHA, MBA es un consultor en el campo de diversidad y experto de mercadotecnia cuya carrera ha abarcado las industrias de salud, productos financieros, y de consumo. Su experiencia internacional con empresas Fortune 100 y consultoría llevando a organizaciones a ser culturalmente competentes le ha valido numerosos reconocimientos profesionales.

 

Controversial, courageous, creative, and a woman for all time: A Latina Tribute to Frida Kahlo

   My first encounter with the art of Frida Kahlo found my small hand tucked in the hand of another artist, my father, Sixto. On a visit to the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, he shared his interpretation of her large scale work, “Las Dos Frida’s,” hanging prominently at the top of the main staircase. I was fascinated by the mirror images and the arteries and veins that wove through them. It was a statement of love and power, and my young mind was intrigued by it. To this date, it remains one of my favorite Frida images.

   Life would lead me to view more of the art of Frida Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, in hotel lobbies, government buildings, retrospectives, and museum collections. In time, I acquired an armoire crafted in Michoacan with one of her self-portraits on the front and her words, “Pies, pa’que los quiero si tengo alas para volar.” “Feet, who needs them, when I have wings to fly.”

   Like other diversity professionals, I enjioy sharing culture. I have shared Frida Kahlo art books, posters, and jewelry with friends and co-workers in other lands. (This did not always turn out as expected. I will never forget the time when I gave a marketing manager a gift box with one of Frida’s self –portraits. She looked confused and another colleague stepped in to explain that the artist was wearing the headpiece of a tehuana.:”It’s from Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Remember, Oaxaca? Monte Alban?” “Ah, yes, she responded, “Ricardo Montalban!” “Noooo,” came the group’s reaction. It would take a while to sort that out! )

    One of my favorite Frida moments would come one evening in Long Beach, California as art historian and Latino culture expert, Gregorio Luke, brought Southern Californians to the MOLAA for an event called, “Murals under the Stars.” After attending events on muralists, Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, the evening was full of promise for Frida followers and it over delivered on expectations. As only Mr. Luke can, his masterful storytelling brought Frida back to life in her exciting time amidst a changing society and highlighted many of her works in the context that brought them to be. His words branded a deeper Frida Kahlo passion in each member of the audience. I look at her work with new eyes of discovery as a result.

    As I read that this morning that today would be Frida Kahlo’s 105^th birthday, I was reminded of the accident in her youth where her bus collided with a trolley car and besides the fractures and shattering of her body caused by that impact, she experienced the trauma of an iron handrail that pierced her abdomen and uterus. This in addition to a broken spinal column, a collarbone, ribs, pelvis, multiple fractures in her right leg, a crushed foot, and dislocated shoulder

   Working in the healthcare industry and seeing the advancement of triage, trauma care, and emergency responders today, it is logical to conclude that what became a life of physical and psychological pain would surely have had a different outcome for the patient today. As the bar for patient safety and quality care moves higher, our society tends to forget the progress that has been made in recent decades and how individuals and teams have changed the medical and health care fields as well as lives forever.

   Would an easier life have robbed the world and future generations of the art and courageous stance of Frida Kahlo, the woman? I like to think not, as artists are born with an innate creative drive bound to surface through aesthetic expression in some form or shape. Art cannot be contained. For Frida, it surely became a tool for weathering difficult relationships, overcoming fear, bearing pain, and experiencing/expressing ultimate joy, love, and freedom of self.

   Her undaunted spirit and her life’s journey became a gift of authenticity for Latinas and women everywhere and her best legacy. I am proud to have met her through her art.

Happy Birthday, Frida!

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

 

The Diversity Discussion and A Call to Civility

In my work in diversity across geographies, I have collaborated with clients and colleagues with distinct perspectives on the meaning, boundaries, societal significance, communications, and legal framework for enacting diversity toward collective learning, growth, and enhanced performance. Paradigms, the local environment as well as experience and opportunities affect individuals and organizations, making the diversity opportunity broader as it harnesses the best of uniqueness.

A few weeks ago, while attending a concert at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. MG3, Montreal GuitareTrio, offered a set of pieces with an uplifting jazzy sound, showcasing influences from distant geographies. With a stage conversation in French and English, they evoked the sounds of the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Africa. The second set was performed by the California Guitar Trio. This group is an example of how fostering the appropriate environment and having a shared vision can bring together diverse talents under a unifying media, in this case, music. The diverse and exceptional guitarists of CGT, American, Paul Richards, Bert Lams of Belgium, and Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo, Japan, took the stage and using a masterful technique (and musical experts will forgive my description,) where each one plays following the lead of the guitarist next to him, they produced a singular and wonderful sound in each piece. Though they reside in different geographies most of the year, the collaborative approach of these individual talents to sharing skills on a music score toward a distinctive sound reflects the model of the perfect learning organization where individual and diverse perspectives combine to advance transformation and achieve success.

As if the evening couldn’t get any better, both trios presented a set for 6 guitars of classical and modern day selections with musical excellence. Without a doubt, the evening’s music paralleled culture in bringing the best of diversity together for the ultimate sound. Such moments are a reminder to diversity practitioners that equality and inclusion can be achieved when communication, vision, leadership, and talent converge. An idealistic vision? Perhaps, but I contend that leadership, goodwill, a learning culture, and open minded spirit can take performance to unexpected heights anywhere at any time.

On other end of the spectrum of the diversity experience, today’s discussion arising from the Supreme Court ruling on immigration law and Arizona’s controversial legislation has generated a discordant professional moment. A caller to our diversity speakers bureau, bestkeynotes.com, (and reminding me of the unexpected benefit of having voice mail when one is otherwise occupied,) had seen one of our speakers on CNN making a comment on the immigration law decision and had disagreed. His enraged reaction was to scour the Internet for a way to vent to the expert and as his message stated, he was frustrated and left his negative, accusatory, and emotional statement on our office line because in his words, “I didn’t know where else to leave this.”

The caller’s position on the issue was divisive, bullying, accusatory, disrespectful, and aggressive. There was clearly no space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, collective learning, and new thinking and while I hope it produced a therapeutic effect to defuse the caller’s explosive and negative emotions, it is a reminder of the need for civility in the diversity conversation. It need not be a difficult dialogue, but instead an emotionally intelligent one as often stated by consultant, Dr. Andrew Erlich. The wealth of knowledge, potential solutions to complex problems, cost savings, and improvement in job satisfaction and collaboration as well as growth and improved financial performance make it a desirable organizational pursuit.

Leaders and diversity practitioners must continue the pursuit of collaboration, cultural competency, learning, and dialogue, under clear, stated guidelines of civility with zero tolerance for voices of aggression that impede organizational advancement. The resulting learning culture will continuously improve the workplace and results.

It will produce a better work day.

Leonor McCall-Rodriguez

 

Early Careerist Opportunity in Public Health

In support of The Wall Las Memorias Project, one of the most forward thinking, proactive nonprofits working in Los Angeles in the public health field, we are posting this early careerist opportunity. Founded in 1993, The Wall Las Memorias Project is dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS by using the inspiration of the AIDS Monument as a catalyst for social change. The agency provides a wide arrange of support services and community involvement opportunities for families, churches and individuals at high risk for HIV.

Job: Junior Programs Manager

The Wall Las Memorias Project seeks a Junior Programs Manager (JPM) to manage HIV prevention programs targeting Latino men at high risk.

Department: Latino Men HIV Prevention and Education

Description: JPM reports to Executive Director, Associate Director and Senior Programs Manager. JPM will work directly with Sr. Programs Manager to oversee the coordination and implementation of HIV prevention programs and services (HIV testing, peer counseling, and behavioral change interventions). The position provides support for the organization as a whole, oversee some agency projects and ensure quality assurance with program activities. JPM acts as the liaison between the Executive Director, Associate Director, Sr. Programs Manager, line staff and any other parties that need any detailed programs information or reports. Help coordinate and implement all HIV/AIDS prevention/risk reduction services, activities and events. The JPM is also responsible for the monitoring and tracking of all employee time sheets and employee benefits..

JPM will work directly with Sr. Programs Manager to oversee HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and education programs and to promote the agencies mission and vision.

Start date: ASAP

Hours: Full-Time (40 hours a week) Exempt M-F 9am-6pm (some nights and weekends will be required)

Salary: $36,000/Annual

Benefits: Medical and Dental insurance, two weeks paid vacation after one year of employment, 10 paid sick days and 11 paid holidays.

Office Location: 111 N. Ave. 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Duties & Responsibilities:

Overall Management Objectives:

-Provide supervision, guidance and mentoring to the agency’s staff to build leadership skills and achieve optimal levels of participation, role clarification, joint ownership and mutual support. Implement the developed capacity building and team building initiatives that promote the optimal functioning and sustainability of agency activities.

Team Building:

-Provide mentoring, supervision and team building to The Wall-Las Memorias Project’s staff.

Program Management:

-Oversee some agency programs, ensuring synergy between programs operated under multiple contracts, consistency with TWLMP Programs Plan of Action, and compliance with any contractual obligations and agency policies. Provide oversight of program planning and quality management activities to ensure quality and cost effectiveness of programs and demonstrate how services measurably impact the community in ways that support the agency mission. Facilitate TWLMP general staff meeting in the absence of the Senior Programs Manager. In the absence of program staff, facilitate HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse prevention workshops.

Community Liaison: 

-Cultivate positive relationships with other agencies for the purpose of raising awareness in the community about TWLMP mission and values and to build collaborative service networks.

HR:

-Maintain and track all employee benefits (vacation days, sick days, compensation time, and holiday hours). Ensure that all employees timesheets are completed accurately reviewed by AD or ED. File all timesheets accordantly.

Finances: 

-Oversee all programs petty cash; Assist Senior Program Manager with program finances;  Gather all Program requisitions from staff; Create and keep track of the yearly staff salary allocation plan;       Keep a filing system of all agency requisition forms submitted to the agency.

Other:

-Oversee program evaluations. Participate in the quarterly Quality Management meetings. Prepare staff meeting agenda and communicate date and time of meeting with all staff.

 Qualifications:

•             Associate’s degree or equivalent in social welfare, public health or related field.

•             A minimum of 4 years of experience in non-profit management.

•             Excellent organizational, verbal, written and public speaking skills.

•             Excellent supervisory skills.

•             Excellent team building skills.

•             Knowledge about and commitment to the philosophies of Harm Reduction and Parity, Representation and Inclusion (PIR) to increase participation of underserved populations in activities and in decision-making.

 •             Knowledge of HIV epidemiology and the complex issues that fuel the HIV epidemic on the local, national and global levels, as well as familiarity with methodologies and best practices for linking HIV care and prevention.

•             Knowledge of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender) issues affecting the community.

•             Good understanding of the needs of people living with and at-risk for HIV including knowledge of HIV infection and experience in planning and implementing services for people with multiple diagnoses including HIV, STIs, substance abuse/ misuse, homelessness, and mental illness

•             Ability to work well with diverse populations and stakeholders.

•             Possession of a California driver’s license, liability insurance, and reliable transportation

•             Bicultural and Bilingual in Spanish and English is a plus.

 Please submit resume to: Enrique Topete, Programs Manager, The Wall-Las Memorias Project

111 N. Ave. 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Phone: 323-257-1056 ext. 24 Fax: 323-257-1095