Hotel Mercurio is a major donor and supporter of the local non-profit HIV/AIDS organization "Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C."  ("Vallarta Confronts AIDS," in English).

VES programs and projects:

• Working closely with the public-private HIV clinic, CAPASITS (Centro Ambulatorio para la Prevención y Atención de SIDA y Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual), VES pays the salary for a full-time psychologist at the clinic; in addition, VES provides a team of trained volunteers to assist with counseling and non-medical patient needs, under the direction of the psychologist.

• VES provides money to pay for medical expenses (laboratory tests, medicines, even transportation to appointments) for patients without resources.

• VES is active in Puerto Vallarta providing education and prevention programs to reduce the incidence of new infections, to reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV infection, and to increase public awareness of the need to be tested for HIV infection.

• Outreach and condom distribution for at-risk groups, including sex workers, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM's, many of whom do not identify as Gay), IV drug users, and transgender individuals.

• Participation in an international study of gender-based violence focusing on male sex workers and transgender individuals, with the ultimate aim of increased reporting of violence and greater access to medical care for affected groups.

VES needs your support!  Hotel Mercurio will match your donation, up to $500 USD.  For more information about VES, or how you can help or donate, please email:  carlosgarcia@vallartaenfrentasida.org