Thanks to peer educator extraordinaire Michael thought readers would like to know more about SHANTI’s program and interviewed them for this article. Enjoy!

 

Michael: Thanks for doing this interview for SPEEDOMETER.  Please tell our readers who you are.

 

John: My name is John Olesen. I am a counselor at the L.I.F.E. Program of SHANTI.

 

Michael: SHANTI has been a valuable asset to the HIV/AIDS community for how many years?

 

John: SHANTI has been around for 34 years. It started as an organization to help people with cancer. In the early 80’s when the “gay cancer” kicked in then “GRID” (Gay related immune deficiency) then HIV, SHANTI has consistently responded to the needs of the community.

 

Michael: Could you tell me about some of the things you offer at SHANTI?

 

John: SHANTI has many different programs. SHANTI’s HIV services offer care navigation- which is similar to case management. HIV services is a hub for what’s happening in HIV around the city, SHANTI’s care navigators can help people find out about different services and different funding sources around the city.  

 

We offer a drop-in lounge that’s open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30AM-12:30PM. It’s a nice place where you can come have a cup of coffee and meet your friends.

 

I do a group every Tuesday with Keith Anatasi from 11:30-12:30 called Health Chat. It’s a discussion group. We have some fun, it can be light- but we also get down and talk about serious health concerns.

 

HIV services has an activities desk. Theater tickets, concert tickets, and other tickets are often available to SHANTI and our clients are able to go to events free of charge.

 

Another service SHANTI offers is called Lifelines. Lifelines is a service for women who have breast cancer. Lifelines offers care navigation to help women get access to services and healthcare.

 

SHANTI houses the L.I.F.E Program- that’s where I work. L.I.F.E stands for Learning Immune Function Enhancement. We offer an 18 week workshop that focuses on physical, emotional and spiritual co-factors (co-factors are issues that affect HIV+ health). We also offer one to one health counseling which is a little bit different than mental health counseling. If a person wants to look at their behaviors, their attitudes, and their belief systems around HIV this is a great place to come and get support.

 

I could go on, but I think those are the main things.

 

Michael: Got anything coming up? Any special events?

 

John: The next special event is in June- the Pride Weekend.  We try to have a presence at street fairs. The one that we really like to hit is Folsom street. As far as special things, I do a drop-in potluck dinner workshop at the gay and lesbian center on Thursday nights that’s open to gay and bi poz guys.  Also, on Tuesdays 11:30-12:30 we have this discussion group at SHANTI on Polk Street. I didn’t mention the movie night, the haircuts, all those things are very important.  Everyone will just have to stop by and check SHANTI out.

 

Michael: You throw a heck of a Christmas party. Is there anything you’d like to add?

 

John: Sure,  I think SHANTI is really unique. SHANTI’s model is based on being open-hearted and accepting. Because it’s an open hearted program it is based on unconditional acceptance.

 

Michael Yeah, everybody is treated with respect. And there’s nobody above you.

 

John: Yeah, that hierarchical thing

 

Michael: They don’t have that here.  John, thanks for doing this interview about SHANTI!

 

Resources

 

S.H.A.N.T.I  HIV Services 730 POLK STREET, San Francisco 

(415) 674-4700         www.shanti.org

 

Activities

Activities offers SHANTI clients an opportunity to enjoy some of the Bay Area’s interesting activities and events while socializing and establishing connections with their peers.  Event tickets are free and include concerts, live theater, sports events, opera, ballet, workshops, classes, day trips, movie night and more. Call 415 674 4743 for more information.

 

Care Navigation

Care Navigators offer intakes and updates into the Reggie System and information and referral to HIV service agencies in San Francisco. Care Navigators also connect clients with peer support volunteers who provide emotional support and practical assistance. Call Eric Sutter at 415 674 4754 for more information.

 

Drop- In Service Center

The Drop-In Service Center is a comfortable and safe place where Shanti clinets can drop in, meet and talk with other clients, speak with a Peer Advocate, Treatment Advocate or Care Navigator, review resource materials or just sit and have a cup of coffee.  Call Eric Sutter at 415 674 4754 for more information. 

 

HealthChat

HealthChat is a lively and interesting discussion group focusing on topical health issues that affect HIV+ men and women. Social interaction and support are encouraged through group games and monthly contests. Call John Olesen at 415 674 4713 for more information and group tiems.

 

Peer Advocacy

Peer advocates provide outreach, basic assessments, information and referrals, medication adherence counseling, practical assistance and emotional support. Peer Advocacy services are primarily available for clients who also receive services at Black Coalition on AIDS, Instituto Familiar de la Raza, and St. Mary’s Hospital.  Call Mark Molnar at 415 674 4726 for more information.

 

HIV Services Schedule

Drop In Lounge/drop-in hours 

Tuesdays 9:30AM-11:30AM

Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30AM-12:30PM

 

Activities

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 10AM-12PM

 

Haircuts Tuesdays (ask Care navigator for dates) 10AM-12PM

 

HealthChat

Tuesdays 11:30AM-12:30PM

 

Massage and Accupuncture from Quan Yin Healing Arts Center

(These activities alternate weekly)

Thursdays 10AM-12PM

 

Women’s Space

Fridays 10AM-12PM

 

Movie Night

Every 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Thursday of the month 5PM-7:30PM 

 

HIV services is closed for lunch M-F 1PM-2PM. 

By Appointment only Tuesday through Friday 2PM-4PM.

Call Eric 674-4754 or Kelly 674-4704