Clínica Esperanza

Inaugurated in 1989 by the Mission Neighborhood Health Center Board of Directors, Clínica Esperanza (Clinic of Hope) provides a wide range of services to over 400 enrolled HIV+ patients each year. Clínica Esperanza was one of the first community-based health services centers in California and the U.S. to build a continuum of HIV prevention and treatment services focused on the needs of the Latino community. In addition to being culturally-specific, it is the only healthcare facility in San Francisco with the capacity to serve monolingual Spanish-speaking clients. Utilizing an interdisciplinary model, Clínica Esperanza has earned the attention and respect of public health officials and health practitioners in the community as well as throughout the U.S.

Medical services
Case Management
Health Education
Nutritional Counseling
Treatment Advocacy
Medication Adherence
Peer Advocacy

For more information about our clinic, please call (415) 431-3212.

In the almost 10 years that I've been a client, I have nothing but praise. I've been treated with respect, dignity, and compassion; that made my transition from 'healthy' adult to HIV+ adult, seamless. - Clínica Esperanza Client

An additional program focus of Clínica Esperanza launched in 1995 is Hermanos de Luna y Sol (HLS). This HIV risk-reduction intervention program targets low-acculturated, Spanish-speaking, immigrant gay/bisexual men in San Francisco Bay Area. Stemming from extensive research by Dr. Rafael M. Diaz on self-identified Latino gay/bisexual men and using principles of empowerment, HLS aims to intervene, in a culturally-appropriate manner, with four factors that weaken the enactment of safer sex intentions:

Low self-esteem.
Perceptions of low sexual control.
Lack of social support.
Fatalism regarding HIV infection inevitability.

HLS predominantly provides an opportunity for group reflection and critical self-observation within the domain of sexuality, a network of peer social support for the practice of safer sex, and sponsors activities supporting the self-esteem and pride of being Latino and gay/bisexual. Additionally, the program attempts to modify factors that promote HIV risk behavior in this particular population. All services are provided in Spanish.

For more information about HLS, please call (415) 621-2935.