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Felicia Delgado
RICPG Co-Chair
The gift of love is not an option, it is a responsibility to give to others in need. HIV prevention is a gift of
life and those living with HIV have the right to live and not die because of the prejudices and lack of knowledge of others. I do this work for everyone that is unable or uneducated to
speak for themselves.
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Paul G. Loberti, Jr.
RICPG Co-Chair
It is hard to believe we are celebrating the 15th year of the RICPG. Although we are all doing some very
challenging work, I always find optimism in the fact that we are preventing HIV from happening. Some say prevention is the real vaccine for HIV -- and I believe that.
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Julnelle Fortes
RICPG Co-Chair
I am blessed to be part of the RICPG. One of my goals is to educate youth in the community about HIV/AIDS, and
there is no better way for me to prepare than by educating myself through the RICPG.
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Candy Brown-McSwain
RICPG Member
I joined the RICPG because I felt I could bring a different perspective to the excellent work they are already
doing, based on my personal and professional experiences -- especially within my community.
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Bobby Ducharme
RICPG Member
To me, HIV prevention is about helping people gain knowledge of themselves. With increased self-awareness, we
build stronger communities. The CPG brings us together to celebrate our individuality and differences. Together, we will find a way to stop the spread of HIV in Rhode Island.
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Carolin Guerrero
RICPG Member
Helping one person is like helping a million people.
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Rich Holcomb
RICPG Member
My hope is to see services provided to the many young male sex workers living in the streets of Providence.
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Karen Jeffreys
RICPG Member
I am driven to connect the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless with the RICPG and their work in the community
on the critical issue of HIV/AIDS.
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Ray Joseph
RICPG Member
I joined the RICPG to be part of a group that would allow me to make a difference in HIV prevention planning, and
also work on those populations that might not be targeted correctly.
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J. Philip Kane
RICPG Member
Having lost many friends and loved ones to AIDS, I view my participation on the RICPG as a way to honor those
lost to the epidemic and as a way to make a personal contribution to ending this epidemic forever.
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Susan Kiene
RICPG Member
As an academic researcher who studies HIV/AIDS prevention, I joined CPG to be a link between researchers and the
community because I think that link is often missing. There should be a dialogue between researchers and community members and I hope I can facilitate that dialogue.
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Ted LeBlond
RICPG Member
I donate my time to the CPG because after 25+ years, HIV has not been eradicated. We need to ensure that quality
programs receive the funding they deserve.
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Paul C. Medici
RICPG Member
I continue to do this work in the hope that others may have the tools I never did.
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Don Operario
RICPG Member
Let's make Rhode Island an example for the country to follow: an entire state committed to compassionate care for
people living with HIV, and to aggressive HIV prevention efforts for all community members.
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Steven Pierce
RICPG Member
As a Long Term HIV Non-Progressive, my focus is on the belief that one uninformed or irresponsible decision could
cause grief for the rest of one's life. For me, RICPG is right on target.
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Arthur Porter
RICPG Member
I've been living with HIV for 19 years and I want to show others living with HIV that there's hope and
there is somebody looking out for them.
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Patricia Rivera
RICPG Member
I believe that the issue of HIV is very important. I work with women and I teach them what their risk factors
are, so that they can safeguard themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases; also they can in turn teach others. I am sure to cause a ripple effect.
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Annie Silvia
RICPG Member
HIV prevention is the only 'vaccine' that we have. Prevention programs need to be planned, supported and
implemented to ensure that scarce resources are reaching those most at risk. The RICPG is integral to that process and helps sustain RI's HIV prevention efforts.
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Katherine Miranda Soares
RICPG Member
I am driven by 26 years of churches educating on abstinence without prevention. Such methods are devastating our
community. HIV/AIDS is a health issue, not a sin issue.
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Jacob van der Berg
RICPG Member
Over the past 15 years, I have dedicated my life to the prevention of HIV transmission and to helping those
living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS. My participation in the RICPG is an extension of my commitment to stopping this pandemic by joining together with a group of dedicated individuals who
are also passionate about making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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Earl Washington
RICPG Member
I am on the Community Planning Group to speak for all those who are HIV positive who can't speak for themselves.
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James A. Waterman III
RICPG Member
I became a CPG member because I wanted to learn more, know more and help make a difference in the field of HIV
Prevention.
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Not pictured:
Noel De Jesus
Teresa Fortes
Scott Mitchel
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