Latino HIV Task Force Houston

10/05/2026

Empowerment and leadership-training opportunities created by and for people living with HIV have come and gone in Houston over the years, but their impact continues to live on through the people they have helped develop.

In 2017, Houston had the Positive Organizing Project (POP), a six-week program offered at Legacy Community Health Services on California Street. The program was designed by people living with HIV, and graduates went on to serve as mentors for the next group of participants.

POP became an important part of the leadership pipeline for people living with HIV in Houston. Graduates helped establish the Greater Houston Chapter of Positive Women’s Network and the Texas Strike Force. Marnina Miller, who now co-leads Positive Women’s Network with Evany Turk, is one of those POP graduates.

I’m happy to share that another opportunity is now about to begin, with one of our Project LEAP graduates taking a leadership role in making it happen. Cecilia Yvetta Ligons was also one of the original advisory board members that helped design POP's first year and one of its first mentors.

If you’re a person living with HIV and interested in developing your leadership, advocacy, and organizing skills, I encourage you to take a look at the sessions listed in the flyer below. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Cecilia to register.

These programs create opportunities for people living with HIV to develop their voices, build leadership, and most importantly, pass that knowledge and experience on to the next generation.

And your voice as a person living with HIV today is as important now as it has ever been.

09/28/2026

Celebrating our own!

09/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19SFfybWop/

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

🎟️ WANT TO SEE KAROL G? 🎟️ Enter into a FREE raffle for a chance to win Karol G tickets! All you have to do is complete a FREE health screening and rapid test with us. Take care of your health and score a chance to see La Bichota live! 🔥
📲 Contact our MAP Team today at 713-926-9491 for details!

🎟️ ¿QUIERES VER A KAROL G EN CONCIERTO? 🎟️¡Consigue un boleto de rifa GRATIS para tener la oportunidad de ganar entradas para Karol G! Lo único que tienes que hacer es completarte un chequeo de salud y una prueba rápida GRATIS con nosotros.
¡Cuida tu salud y gana la oportunidad de ver a La Bichota en vivo! 🔥
📲 ¡Ponte en contacto con nuestro equipo MAP hoy mismo al 713-926-9491 para más información!

08/21/2026

🔬 RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: AGING WITH HIV

The Houston CPG is proud to share an opportunity for community members to contribute to HIV research and help ensure that the voices and lived experiences of people aging with HIV are represented.

UTHealth Houston is conducting a study exploring the health, quality of life, life experiences, resilience, stigma, and health transitions of long-term and lifetime survivors aging with HIV.

💙 You may be eligible if you:
• Were born with HIV OR have lived with HIV for 10+ years
• Are 18 years or older
• Live in the Houston area
• Can participate in English

🎨 Participation includes a health survey, an art-based body mapping workshop, and the option to participate in an individual interview.

⏰ Time commitment: Approximately 45–60 minutes for the survey, 3 hours for the workshop, and an additional 45–60 minutes for an interview.

💰 Compensation will be provided.

📅 Study Date: August 27, 2026
📍 Location: TBD | Hybrid format

Your experience matters. Your voice can help shape the future of HIV research. ❤️

For more information or to see if you may qualify, contact:
Dr. Higinio Fernandez-Sanchez
📧 [email protected]
📞 713-500-9921

Please share this post with someone who may be interested! 🫶🏾

08/04/2026

In recognition of Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Thursday, August 20, FLAS, Inc. and the SUSTAIN Center at the University of Houston invite Community Health Workers to join us for a special interactive workshop celebrating and supporting the vital role CHWs play in HIV-impacted communities.

Through a trauma-informed and healing-centered lens, this workshop will explore self-care, collective care, and practical strategies for sustaining wellbeing while continuing to support others. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in a restorative wellness activity, connect with fellow CHWs from across the city, and reflect on the important work they do every day.

Workshop details:
HCDE Adult Education Learning Center
Thursday, August 20
12:00 pm - 3:45pm
6515 Irvington Blvd
Houston, TX 77022

Lunch and 1.5 hours of non-certified CHW continuing education credit will be provided. Space is limited to the first 30 registrants, so we encourage you to register early. Register at: bit.ly/SHAAD26

Please see the attached flyer for additional event details and registration information. If you joined us last year, we look forward to welcoming you back for another meaningful gathering. We would greatly appreciate you sharing this invitation with fellow Community Health Workers and others in your network who may be interested in participating.

07/22/2026

📣 Encuentro 2026 Scholarship & Abstract Applications Are NOW OPEN! 🎉

Hola, everyone!

I wanted to share some exciting news! The Encuentro 2026 Scholarship and Abstract applications are officially open and will remain open through Thursday, August 6, 2026.

As one of the 2026 Conductors, I'm asking for your help in spreading the word. Please share these opportunities with your friends, colleagues, community members, partners, and anyone who may be interested in attending or presenting at Encuentro 2026. The more people we reach, the stronger our community becomes.

🎓 Scholarship Application:
https://form.jotform.com/southevents/2026Becas

🗣️ Abstract Application:
https://form.jotform.com/southevents/2026Taller

📬 Stay Connected!
If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to the Latinos in the South (LITS) Newsletter. It's the best way to receive important Encuentro updates, deadlines, announcements, and other opportunities.

🌐 Latinos in the South:
https://www.latinodeepsouth.org/

(Just scroll to the bottom of the homepage to sign up for the newsletter.)

Thank you for helping us extend our reach across the South and ensuring these opportunities reach as many people as possible. I truly appreciate your continued support and everything you do to strengthen our communities.

Please like, comment, and most importantly, share this post so we can connect with even more people. ❤️

07/07/2026

english below
Muchos de ustedes me conocen por mi labor de defensa y promoción en torno al VIH durante los últimos más de 20 años, ya sea a través del Houston Ryan White Planning Council, el Latino HIV Task Force, el Texas HIV Medication Program Advisory Committee, el Texas HIV Syndicate, los proyectos del Texas Center for AIDS Research, la National HIV and Aging Advocacy Network, el organismo asesor de la American Academy of HIV Medicine o el Panel de Directrices sobre Antirretrovirales para Adultos y Adolescentes del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos.
A veces la gente me pregunta cómo llegué a involucrarme tan profundamente y a ser reconocido en el trabajo de defensa, promoción y formulación de políticas públicas teniendo solo una educación secundaria. Mi respuesta es sencilla: no creo que nada de esto hubiera sucedido sin la chispa que Project LEAP despertó en mí.
¡Project LEAP ya está aceptando solicitudes!
Si vives con VIH y quieres ayudar a dar forma a los servicios de los que dependen nuestras comunidades de Houston, el condado de Harris y los condados circundantes, este es un lugar increíble para comenzar. Si eres nuevo en el ámbito del VIH, también es una de las mejores introducciones que encontrarás a la historia del VIH, el liderazgo y la defensa y promoción.
Revisa los folletos para obtener información sobre cómo postularse. No puedo recomendar este programa lo suficiente.
_________________________________________
Many of you know me through my HIV advocacy over the past 20+ years, whether through the Houston Ryan White Planning Council, the Latino HIV Task Force, the Texas HIV Medication Program Advisory Committee, the Texas HIV Syndicate, the Texas Center for AIDS Research projects, the National HIV and Aging Advocacy Network, the American Academy of HIV Medicine advisory body or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Antiretroviral Guidelines Panel for Adults and Adolescents.
People sometimes ask how I became so deeply involved and recognized in advocacy and policy work with only a high school education. My answer is simple: I don't believe any of it would have happened without the spark that Project LEAP gave me.
Project LEAP is now accepting applications!
If you're living with HIV and want to help shape the services our Houston, Harris and surrounding counties' communities depend on, this is an incredible place to begin. If you're new to the HIV field, it's also one of the best introductions to HIV history, leadership, and advocacy you'll find.
Check out the flyers for application information. I can't recommend this program enough.