Vital Life Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We pursue this mission through direct services to our clients and their loved ones and through education to prevent the spread of the virus.

Description:
Vital Life Services is a day center providing services to those in our community living with HIV/AIDS. We provide mental health counseling, daily breakfast and lunch, transportation, case management services, acupuncture and herbal therapies, massage therapy, and chiropractic care. We also provide hot showers, washer/dryer use, and telephone, which is invaluable for our homeless clients. We have a fitness room for clients to use and provide education on nutrition and general health concerns as it relates to HIV/AIDS.

History:
Vital Life Services was founded in 1987, as a spiritual resource for persons with HIV/AIDS by a member of Mother Teresa's order. Meals were served; spiritual counseling and massage were offered. The staff was primarily from the clergy. Early on, The Center was considered to serve as an AIDS ministry model for dioceses and churches.

By 1992, the number of clients had greatly increased and the face of AIDS had begun to change, leading to the need for more space and more social services. The Center moved to its present location, a supermarket specially renovated to address our specific requirements. Over the years as clients began living longer, fuller lives; more and more services were added and we became non-denominational. Today, The Center offers a wide array of services as well as maintaining close ties to community agencies and medical practitioners in an effort to serve our clients' encompassing needs.

Contact person: Simona Fino, Volunteer & Event Coordinator, (510) 655-3435, (email)
Office fax number: (510) 655-2543

Address:

5720 Shattuck Avenue Oakland, CA 94609 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.VitalCalifornia.org

Directions:

We are located on Shattuck Avenue between 57th and 58th.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 40th/MacArthur BART and Ashby BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 20   Nearest Bus Stop: 43, 1 minute walk

Overall Experience   
project yes

posted by gracelita on July 3, 2006