A Decision This Mother Never Wanted to Make

Lisa Mendez faced a heartbreaking decision.

She had lost her home, and her options were to either bring her son with her to sleep on the streets, or to give him up to foster care and be separated from him. She worried she might never get him back.

Mendez decided to put her 10-year-old son Hunter into foster care.

How did she get here?

Mendez is a young mother, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a college graduate with two degrees.

But Mendez is also HIV positive. With her diagnosis came the unraveling of her life. Friends were suddenly unavailable. Parents stopped bringing their kids over to play with Hunter. 

Soon the ravages of the disease took over. She was too sick to work. She had exhausted her bank account. Then she faced eviction.

She was devastated. 

She needed help. 

Then Mendez learned about AIDS Project Los Angeles. Its mission is "to improve the lives of people affected by HIV disease; reduce the incidence of HIV infection; and advocate for fair and effective HIV-related public policy."

Mendez got the help she so desperately needed.

ALPA was able to provide groceries for her. They arranged a bus pass so she could get to her doctor's appointments. ALPA helped her find an affordable and safe home.

A home where she now lives again, with her son Hunter.

The AIDS Walk Los Angeles is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2011. The money raised from the event helps people like Lisa Mendez.