Message from the Founder and President

Welcome to Lucha Contra el Sida, Inc.!

Over 30 years ago, I had a vision: to create an organization that would transform lives and bring hope to those who need it the most. Today, that vision has expanded and scaled, impacting the lives of thousands of people annually.

I invite you to learn about and enjoy our programs and services, designed to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations. Together with an extraordinary team of professionals and partners, we work every day with passion and commitment to support those facing the greatest challenges.

Thank you for joining us in this mission. Here, together, we are building a future filled with opportunities, dignity, and inclusion.

With appreciation,
Ramfis Javier Pérez Rivera
Founder

Mission

Our mission is to “develop and promote programs that foster positive social change in individuals, which in turn impact and benefit the community.” Our overarching goal aligns with our organizational vision, under which “We will be a community-based organization in Puerto Rico that promotes the integral transformation of the community to improve its quality of life.”

Among our objectives, which will be further detailed under each category of services, our primary goal is to ensure, identify, coordinate, and channel comprehensive coverage of the biopsychosocial needs of the indigent population infected/affected by HIV/AIDS in the Municipality of San Juan. These objectives will be validated through the integral services offered by our twelve (12) direct service programs, which we detail below:

Manantiales de Vida Program (Daycare center with integrated services)
Renacer de Vida Program (Transitional housing and support services for homeless men living with HIV/AIDS)
Nuevo Horizonte Program (Transitional housing and support services for women survivors of domestic violence or homeless women living with HIV/AIDS or with a history of substance use)
Sabana Village Apartments (Permanent housing with support services in San Juan)
Remanso de Paz (Permanent housing with support services for homeless individuals with disabilities in Ponce)
El Remanso Elderly (Permanent housing for elderly individuals in Carolina)
Re-encontrando el Sendero (Transitional housing for chronically homeless individuals with detoxification services)
Vivero Comunitario Un Grano de Mostaza (Training, skill-building, and employment)
Campamento Sonrisas (Summer camp for children affected by and living with HIV/AIDS)
Lucero del Alba (Permanent housing with services for the homeless in the Municipality of Caguas)
Gurabo Elderly (Permanent housing for low-income individuals aged 60 or older in the city of Gurabo)
Puertas de Estancia (Permanent housing for homeless individuals with physical disabilities or mental health issues)

These programs are at the core of our efforts to provide comprehensive support to the vulnerable populations we serve, ensuring that each individual has the opportunity to live a dignified, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Our History

LUCHA: A Commitment to the Community

In 1994, Lucha Contra el SIDA, Inc., better known as LUCHA, was founded as a nonprofit organization by Rosa Isabel Pérez Stuart, Eugenio Nadal Caro, and Ramfis Javier Pérez Rivera. The initial vision was to provide comprehensive support to people affected by HIV/AIDS and their families, a pressing challenge given the growing impact of the pandemic in Puerto Rico.

The Beginning and Expansion of the Mission:
LUCHA was quickly supported by the community, beginning its work with a focus on medical and psychosocial support, benefiting various communities and service organizations. In its early years, the Campamento Sonrisas provided joy to the children of participants, starting a supportive work for those who needed it most. Between 1994 and 1995, LUCHA submitted proposals to the Municipal Government of San Juan and the Department of Health to expand service coverage. During this time, they developed Manantiales de Vida, a medical and psychosocial center aimed at the comprehensive care of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Luis Lloréns Torres housing project, which solidified the foundation of their programs.

Development of Key Projects:
As the needs grew, the organization expanded its services. In 1996, they began the construction of Renacer de Vida, a transitional housing complex for homeless men living with HIV/AIDS. In 1997, LUCHA initiated the development of LCS Apartments, a multifamily complex with support services for families affected by HIV/AIDS, which was inaugurated in 2001.

Additionally, in 1999, they launched the microenterprise Un Grano de Mostaza, aimed at training and employing people in the rehabilitation process. In 2001, they developed the Nueva Esperanza program, focused on HIV/AIDS education and prevention in San Juan and surrounding municipalities.

National Expansion:
LUCHA became one of the founding organizations of the CHDO's Association of Puerto Rico in 2001, solidifying its leadership in creating housing for vulnerable people. In 2002, LUCHA expanded its mission to include people with disabilities, the elderly, women survivors of gender-based violence, and other underserved populations, opening offices in Ponce. In 2003, the Nuevo Horizonte I detoxification project was inaugurated, and proposals were won to expand housing services in Carolina and Ponce. In 2004, LUCHA signed a contract with the Municipality of Carolina to develop a housing complex for the elderly.

Growth and Resilience:
Over the years, LUCHA continued to grow. In 2005, two key projects were inaugurated: Nuevo Horizonte II for women survivors of domestic violence and the Gurabo Elderly Apartments project in 2015, with 86 apartments for elderly people in Gurabo. That same year, Lucero del Alba was also inaugurated in Caguas for homeless people with disabilities. After Hurricane María in 2017, LUCHA remained steadfast in the recovery of its properties and continued providing support to affected communities. That same year, a project was approved for housing and services for women survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence under the “Office of Violence Against Women” program.

Recent Projects and Future:

In the following years, LUCHA continued with innovative projects, such as the development of El Zorzal Apartments in San Juan, Sabana Village Apartments in San Juan, and the rehabilitation of several housing complexes. In 2021, LUCHA received CDBG-DR funds for the installation of solar energy systems and other improvements to its projects to ensure long-term sustainability. In 2022, LUCHA expanded its efforts by developing 4 non-congregate shelters with ESG-CV funds in San Juan, Arecibo, and Corozal.

A Path Towards the Future:
Today, LUCHA celebrates over 30 years of service, with a renewed focus on expanding its capacity to provide dignified housing and psychosocial services to the most vulnerable sectors in Puerto Rico. With the inauguration of new projects and the ongoing improvement of existing ones, the organization remains committed to its mission of offering opportunities, dignity, and inclusion for the most underserved communities.

Services

Day Care
Primary Medical Care
Nursing
Social Work
Case Management
Psychology
Addiction Counseling
Nutritional Counseling (Nutritionist)

Transitional Housing (men-women)
Permanent Housing (patient-family)
Detoxification and Drug Rehabilitation
Interagency Community Outreach
Health Education

Medications
Food
Escort
Recreational Activities (active-passive) (gym, sports tournaments)
Transportation
Training and Employment

Values

As a community-based organization, LUCHA firmly believes and practices the following values:

Commitment

Credibility and Reliability

Respect

Loyalty

Sensibility

Ethics and Integrity

Vision