Have questions? Center on Halsted has answers in two languages. Anyone with questions on topics such as safe-sex practices, where to get tested for AIDS/HIV/STDs, and how to find social services throughout the state can call the Illinois State AIDS/HIV/STD hotline, which Center on Halsted operates.
The Hotline now has Spanish- and English-speaking counselors who answer calls daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The counselors respond to more than 800 calls each month.
Center on Halsted also has added a full-time, Spanish-speaking therapist to its Mental Health Services Program. In addition to providing therapy, this staff member also is responsible for intake of new clients and outreach within the Latino LGBT community. And the Center is collaborating with Renz Addiction Counseling Center of Elgin, Ill., to expand the capacity of organizations that are providing HIV/AIDS prevention services to Latinos outside the city of Chicago. The goal of the program is to identify Latino populations throughout the state and to train Latino-serving agencies in an effective HIV/AIDS prevention model.