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H E R O the Health Education Resource Organization 101 West Read Street, Suite 825, Baltimore, MD 21201 Office: 410-685-1180 - Helpline: 410-545-4774 Toff-free (out of area code): (800) 376-HERO

  What is HERO?

The Health Education Resource Organization (HERO), Inc. is a private, non-profit community-based organization located in Baltimore City. Formed in 1983, HERO offers education, resources, and services for all Marylanders affected by AIDS and HIV disease. With a staff of 35 and over 1,300 volunteers, HERO provides comprehensive case management, advocacy and legal services, counseling, a buddy program and Drop-In Center for Persons Living with AIDS and HIV disease. In addition, HERO operates a helpline, produces innovative educational materials, and provides outreach to persons at-risk for HIV.

  Mission Statement

  HERO's mission is:

"To advocate for and provide direct care to people affected by HIV disease and to educate the community about HIV disease."

  Services and Achievements

  Volunteers

HERO's volunteer program screens, interviews, orients, trains and assigns volunteers to HERO departments and programs, as well as to other local agencies. Over 1,300 volunteers assisted in a variety of projects, including working throughout HERO's offices, serving on fundraising committees and assisting at events. Volunteers also participated in programs such as the Speaker's Bureau, Bereavement Committee, HIV and other Support Groups and the Buddy Program.

  The Buddy Program

The Buddy Program matches clients with trained volunteers who offer companionship, support, physical assistance and advocacy for the Person Living with AIDS, and respite for their family and friends. This program is managed by Volunteer Services Department. In 1995, new buddies were assigned to 165 clients. The total of nearly 400 current buddy matches include: self-matches, matches with HERO clients and matches with other agency's volunteers who have been trained by HERO.

  Case Management: Adult and Pediatric

With a case load of nearly 2,000 clients, HERO case managers have an average of 800 contacts per month. Counseling includes assessment of needs, referrals to services, and coordination of on-going care. Client services include: Emergency financial assistance for shelter, food, and transportation; counseling and assistance with medical and pharmaceutical needs; support groups; HIV education; entitlement counseling, drug counseling, crisis counseling. Clients are given direct and intensive intervention, including practical help with daily problems related to HIV/AIDS.

  Mental Health

HERO provides special mental health counseling services to clients who suffer from emotional problems. Services for HIV infected and their family include case management for mental illnesses, psychotherapy, mental health assessments, support groups and referrals. This program had an active caseload of 180 clients receiving mental health services. During the year, this program saw over 200 clients.

  Legal

HERO's pro bono legal unit assists clients with preparing wills, planning and settling estates, filing discrimination complaints, executing powers of attorney, drawing up living wills and handling bankruptcy proceedings; protection of real and personal property for the benefit of clients and their heirs; public and private benefits, health, disability, and life insurance matters. Nearly 7,000 clients had contact with HERO's Legal Department by telephone, office visits, or home visits.

  Drop-In Center

HERO's Drop-In Center is a place where people with HIV/AIDS can relax and enjoy the comfort and support of friends and neighbors in a comfortable community setting, away from HERO's administrative offices. Open on a continuous basis, the Center sees nearly 600 clients per month for a total of 7,200 visits per year. The Drop-In Center provides a counter-balance to the isolation encountered by many people living with HIV disease. The Center is a multifaceted, community-based resource for about 500 seropositive men, women and children. The Drop-In Center features: hot lunches and groceries to take home; socializing; networking; support groups; referrals; employment opportunities; rehabilitation (Sinai Hospital); occupational therapy (DORS); nutrition counseling; Visiting Nurses Association, etc.

  Materials

More than $50,000.00 has been earned from national and international sales of educational materials designed by HERO.

  Prevention and Education

Over 20,000 Marylanders receive information, training, and materials from HERO each year. Here are some of the ways HERO reached them: Educational Presentations at: Street Outreach to: Workplaces Gay and Lesbian Community Schools General Community Universities Beauty Salons Prisons Homeless persons Churches Housing Projects Health fairs Sex Workers (male and female) Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers Areas where illegal drug use is common HERO also does: Community Events On-Going Prevention Case Management Training of Trainers Assessment, counseling and referrals to drug treatment centers

  Current Funding Sources [financial statement available on request]

    Private Funders:

American Trading and Production Corporation The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc. William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund Lois and Irving Blum Foundation Brother Help Thyself, Inc. The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Maryland Food Committee, Inc. Maryland Legal Services Corporation Surdna Foundation

  Government Funders:

Baltimore City Health Department Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, State AIDS Administration Ryan White Titles I, II and IV

    Annual Events:

AIDSWALK/Maryland, annual AIDS charities walk-a-thon Fantasy Cruise benefit event

  HERO Staff

Executive Director/CEO.....................Leonardo R. Ortega, MD, MPH Finance Director.................................Deborah Carter, CPA Development Director.........................Joyce A. Kramer Development Associate......................Eric Lerner Program Director.................................Indira Kotval Prevention/Education Coordinator......Michelle Rigaud, MPH Educators & Outreach Team......Luis Villanueva, Pat Adams,                                     Joel Juarbe, Angelo Solera, Felicia Wearins Case Manager.....................................Pamela Nelson Drop-In Center Coordinator..................William Smith Case Management Services................Joseph Myers Case Managers............Valinda Bryan, Audrey Bates, Franny Lerner,                                     Joann Mitchell, Joseph Scaletta, Diane Decubellis Mental Health Services Coordinator.....Kathy Edith Linville, R.N., LCSW Psychologist.........................................Francis Schindler, Ph.D Volunteer Services Coordinator............Jeffrey Walstrum Buddy Program Coordinators................Kerrin Darkow, Lee Savoy Volunteers............................................1,300 Legal Services Coordinator..................Michael Carlis, Esq. Staff Attorney.......................................Kathlees Buckley, Esq. Paralegal..............................................Kim Durand

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  This document: http://www.critpath.org/aric/pwarg/local/hero.htm