Title: Proyecto CALOR: Compromiso, Accion, Lucha para que Organizaciones Responde a la comunidad de VIH
Project Period: September 1, 2005 - August 31, 2008
Project Amount Funded (FY 2005): $$278,250
Project Director: Gail Gramarossa

Proyecto CALOR provides local community-wide leadership in forging a systematic approach to HIV/AIDS care and treatment through capacity building and technical assistance to 15 Latino-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

A needs assessment conducted at the beginning of the project determines CBO needs for training, addresses obstacles to delivering services, and identifies gaps in the HIV/AIDS service delivery system. Staff and agency capacity development is based on the assessment. Training for community stakeholders and service providers include three areas of focus: organizational development and capacity building; train-the-trainer for HIV/AIDS health education and prevention; and key issues for minority communities. Organizational development training involves groups of 8-10 staff members per session, and is open to staff from all levels of the organizations. Topics addressed include board training and development, strategic planning, fiscal management, grant writing and others. The train-the-trainer component enhances skills in facilitating sessions on topics such as behavior theory for HIV prevention, effective health education approaches for HIV prevention, addressing stigma, and conditions and illnesses indicating risk of HIV/AIDS exposure. Key issues for minority communities training covers areas such as the Puerto Rican experience in Massachusetts, cultural competency in service delivery, and community organizing. Linkages with other organizations and providers of services are developed through a reciprocal mentoring component. Organizations are paired on the basis of complementary strengths in order to develop mutually supportive and educational relationships. The Proyecto CALOR website provides access to listservs and chat rooms to facilitate communication among participating organizations as well. Community forums are held each year to connect organizations with community members in discussions around specific topics; these forums are to ultimately lead to the development of a plan of action.

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