ALRP milestones

2024
The ALRP Board of Directors names Matt Foreman, a nationally recognized LGBTQ leader, to succeed Bill Hirsh as the organization’s executive director in January 2024.

 

 

 

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2023
ALRP observes our 40th Anniversary year of service to the HIV community. Client cases surpass the 95,000 mark. Executive Director Bill Hirsh receives the Catalyst for Change award from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s HIV Advocacy Network; and a commendation from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for the far-reaching impact of his commitment and dedication to San Francisco communities.

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2022
Executive Director Bill Hirsh recognized for his longtime leadership roles, receiving the Pride Community Award from SFPRIDE, and the Ruth Brinker Visionary Award from Project Open Hand. ALRP becomes a major beneficiary of the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation for the first time.

 

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2020
The COVID-19 pandemic changes everything. Despite new protocols, work-from-home, masking, and social distancing – our clients remain a priority and services continue uninterrupted.


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2018
ALRP surpasses 75,000 mark in number of client cases handled, and staff expands to 15 employees. Executive Director Bill Hirsh receives the inaugural Positive Impact Award from Golden Gate University School of Law.


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2016
ALRP surpasses 72,000 mark in number of client cases handled, and commemorates it’s 33rd year of service to people living with HIV/AIDS.
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2015
Evictions in San Francisco spike this year to a new high of 2,376 overall, disproportionately affecting low-income residents and people with disabilities.

ALRP handles a record 2,350 legal matters (including a record 781 housing cases and a record 247 immigration cases) for its clients.
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2014
ALRP handles over 2,000 legal matters for its clients; experiences a 50% increase in number of clients coming to us for services over the past decade. 2014 also saw the launch of the ALRP HIV50+ Project, as now more than 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco are over the age of 50.
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2013
ALRP surpasses 65,000 mark in number of client cases handled, and commemorates it’s thirtieth year of service with the launch of the ALRP|30 Years of Justice From The Heart Campaign.
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2012
ALRP receives the American Bar Association’s Forger Award for excellence in legal services provision and advocacy.


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2011
ALRP’s annual operating budget surpasses $1 million.
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2010
ALRP surpasses 60,000 legal matters since its founding in 1983. The Staff grows to 12 people.

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2010
ALRP launches the HIV Consumer Advocacy Project (HCAP) to help HIV+ consumers access public healthcare services and mediate disputes with HIV/AIDS service providers.
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2008
ALRP’s volunteer Panel reaches the 700 mark.
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2006
Managing Attorney Jaime Rush joins the staff, following a previous stint as one of our Law Clerks. ALRP launches the HIV Insurance Protection Project (HIPP) to help its growing number of clients with insurance-related legal matters.

ALRP Managing Attorney Jaime Rush

 

 

 

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2005
ALRP receives the Award for Excellence in Volunteer Management from The Volunteer Center.
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2004
ALRP receives the Bill Kraus AIDS Service Provider Award from the Harvey Milk Democratic Club.
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2003
ALRP launches the ALRP Immigrant HIV Assistance Project (IHAP) to help clients with immigration-related legal matters such as political asylum and naturalization.
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2000
ALRP surpasses $1 million in annual leveraged pro bono legal services from volunteer Panel attorneys.
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2000
Bill Hirsh becomes ALRP’s fourth Executive Director.


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1999
ALRP receives BALIF’s Legal Services Award for excellence in serving people with HIV.
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1998
ALRP receives the Richard Savilla Award from La Raza Centro Legal for outstanding contributions to the Latino community.
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1998
ALRP launches the AIDS Housing Advocacy Project (AHAP) to provide direct legal representation in housing matters.
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1996
Irwin Keller becomes ALRP’s third Executive Director.


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1994
Eileen Hansen becomes the second Director of Public Policy; Rachel Maddow joins ALRP as a John Gardner Public Service Fellow.


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1994
Over 500 volunteer attorneys, paralegals and notaries now serving on the ALRP Panel.
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1992
ALRP receives U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in serving people with HIV.
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1992
Clint Hockenberry passes away from AIDS; Kristin Chambers hired as ALRP’s second Executive Director.


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1991
ALRP establishes its Public Policy Program and hires Paul DiDonato as its first Director of Public Policy.


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1990
ALRP receives its first government grant through the federal Ryan White CARE Act.
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1990
ALRP serves more than 2,000 clients assisted by a Panel of over 400 volunteers.
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1989
ALRP incorporates with a new name: The AIDS Legal Referral Panel of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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1988
ALRP coordinates the first national conference on AIDS legal services, inspiring similar panels nationwide.
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1988
ALRP publishes the first editions of the AIDSLaw Handbook and Social Security Self-Help Manual.
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1987
ALRP’s AIDS Community Outreach Program (ACOP) begins reaching out to under-served populations, including women and people of color.
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1987
ALRP becomes the largest AIDS legal services program in the country, with more than 250 volunteer attorneys serving on its Panel.
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1986
The Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP) becomes ALRP’s fiscal sponsor.
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1986
Clint Hockenberry joins ALRP as its first paid staff member, as ALRP caseload reaches 1,000.


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1983
ALRP becomes the first legal services provider in the nation dedicated to meeting the needs of people with HIV.  The first list of participating attorneys is hand-written on a yellow legal pad.