Christie’s Place: Love Grows Here

By JP Emerson

Irene Milton, along with her husband Doug, founded Christie’s Place in 1996 in honor of their adopted daughter, Christie Milton-Torres, to provide a safe haven for women and families impacted by HIV in San Diego. In 1985, at the age of 20, Christie was diagnosed with HIV and her husband, Angel, was diagnosed with AIDS. Christie took the lead in addressing HIV at a time when very few women were speaking out about their experience living with the virus. She became a spokesperson and advocated for the needs of families living with HIV/AIDS. “HIV doesn’t discriminate,” Christie declared in an interview with El Sol del San Diego newspaper.

What started as a small, grassroots organization has grown into a comprehensive support center guided by its mission to empower women, children, families and individuals whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS to take charge of their health and wellness. The organization utilizes a wraparound psychosocial and multidisciplinary model of care that serves the entire family, not just the infected person. At Christie’s Place, clients can access a substantial range of services provided by expert staff and a network of collaborative partners that empower women and families to help themselves and each other.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with four members of Christies Place to learn more about the impact the organization has had for clients as well as the staff. We talked with Rhea Van Brocklin, Executive Director; Martha Robles, Peer Navigation Coordinator; Renee Sievert, Board Member; and Johneisha Jones, Aging and Research Program Coordinator. (click on the image for the full interviews)

Rhea Van Brocklin, Executive Director

Martha Robles, Peer Navigation Coordinator

Renee Sievert, Board Member

Johneisha Jones, Aging and Research Program Coordinator