communities of color initiative
Cascade AIDS Project's Communities of Color Initiative was created to reflect our organization's conscious intent to work with the Latino and African American Communities to reduce the incidence of HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in those communities. Through education, training, testing and social marketing, CAP works with individuals, health and social service agencies, community organizations and institutions to carry out our mission.
Currently Cascade AIDS Project conducts several education, prevention, and care services programs focused on the Latino community.
- LUES, the Spanish acronym meaning Latinos United Confronting AIDS, is our agency-wide initiative coordinating outreach, education and training for Latinos. LUES staff coordinate our Latino Services Team, which is made up of ten staff who are bilingual in English and Spanish, from three different departments.
- Chicos Latinos, a prevention program for Latino gay and bisexual men.
- CareLink and Medical Case Management, services to assist monolingual Spanish speakers connect to culturally appropriate medical care and case management.
- Services in Spanish in our Housing and Kids' Connection programs.
- CAP also has an anonymous Spanish-language 1-800 line to provide information and referral to testing and care. 1.800.499.6940
In the first year of the Initiative, CAP staff received year-long cultural competence training. Last year the organization developed a plan to improve our ability to work with communities of color.
This year in collaboration with agencies, organizations and churches from Portland's African American Community, CAP is participating in a social marketing campaign with the theme, MY FRIEND WITH AIDS IS STILL MY FRIEND. The intent is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, encourage testing and continue to provide information and improved services to Portland's African American Community.