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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CALOR-25 YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Cook County Board of Commissioners that CALOR (Comprensión y Apoyo a Latinos en Oposición al Retrovirus or Comprehension and Support of Latinos Against the Retrovirus), which was founded in 1990 and is now entering its 25 year anniversary; and
WHEREAS, CALOR, which was co-founded by Omar N. López, a key figure in other local grassroots organizations such as: LADO (Latin /American Defense Organization); OLAS (Organization of Latin American Students); and MTO (Mexican Teachers Organization), continues to flourish; and
WHEREAS, CALOR began as an organization focusing on the Latino community on Chicago's West Side. At that time, culturally relevant HIV services were not available to Latino communities. For the first few years CALOR offered support groups for Latinos affected by the HIV virus and for Hispanic HIV/AIDS service providers. The emphasis was on providing intervention initiatives and building a support system for people recently diagnosed HIV+; and
WHEREAS, 1993 became a turning point for CALOR, as the community-based organization reached a new milestone and was able to begin offering case management services and mental health services. Later, essential prevention initiatives were developed along with employment placement services; and
WHEREAS, in 1997 CALOR merged with Anixter Center, a well-respected and established leading provider of services for people with disabilities of all ages. The merger allowed CALOR to increase the programs and services it offered to people with HIV/AIDS and to reach out to people with other disabilities. CALOR began offering substance abuse services and added a vocational program to provide employment and training to Latinos with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, throughout the years, CALOR has continued to thrive and expand its services. It opened Casa Contreras, a 17-unit residential building named after two of CALOR's founding members-Salvador Contreras and José Luis Contreras and started A.C.E., a new HIV/AIDS prevention and education program targeting young Latino men, which has become one of CALOR's signature programs; and
WHEREAS, having moved to a larger location at 5038 W. Armitage Ave., CALOR continues to grow today with a greater emphasis on serving all people of color with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS and a push to build key strategic relationships with other community organizations to ensure that all individuals afflicted by HIV are served; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby extend its warmest wishes and congratulations to CALOR, its executive director, Omar N. López, and its wonderful team as it celebrates this 25-year milestone, and honors them for their dedication to and service of Cook County's HIV positive community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this honorable body, and an official copy of same be presented to CALOR to commemorate this joyous occasion.
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