Cruzando Fronteras represents a collaborative effort begun in 2003 to bring together community members and service providers to encourage resource sharing and leadership in order to improve the quality of life for the Latino community living with, affected by, or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. This group aims to serve the San Francisco Bay Area community and provide a support system to facilitate the empowerment of Latinos and all living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

A partial listing of agencies within the collaborative that provide health care, education, employment, housing, legal assistance, financial benefits, and other social services:

• AIDS Healthcare Foundation/Magic Johnson Clinic
• Ark of Refuge
• Catholic Charities CYO
• Clínica Esperanza of Mission Neighborhood Health Center
• Community Vocational Enterprises
• Instituto Familiar de la Raza
• International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Committee
• Lutheran Social Services
• Positive Resource Center
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation
• San Francisco General Hospital – Positive Health Program
• Shanti
• Tenderloin Health (Formally TARC)

The Capacity-building Initiative provides leadership for this collaboration by actively participating in monthly meetings and planned activities including legal clinics, health fairs and community forums. Efforts are underway to establish the collaboration as a tax-exempt, non-profit entity.