Desert AIDS Project Named Nonprofit of Year

SACRAMENTO —Desert AIDS Project has been named the 2019 California Nonprofit of the Year in the 28th Senate District. State Sen, Jeff Stone, R-Riverside County, made the selection.

Desert AIDS Project joined other non-profit organizations in receiving the recognition at the Fourth Annual California Nonprofits Day at the State Capitol hosted by the California Association of Nonprofits.

Each year, California legislators are invited to choose a Nonprofit of the Year in their district and come together to celebrate at the California Nonprofits Day Luncheon. This event fosters relationships between elected officials and nonprofits doing important work in their communities. Since the first California Nonprofits Day in 2016 more than 350 nonprofits have been honored by their Assemblymembers and Senators.

Sen. Stone presented a Senate Resolution to Carl Baker, Desert AIDS Project Director of Legal and Legislative Affairs, and Zayda Weldon, Desert AIDS Project Director of Social Services, during a celebration luncheon as part of the annual event.

“I am honored that Carl and Zayda were able to join me here today,” Stone said. “Since 1984, Desert AIDS Project has been the Coachella Valley’s preeminent nonprofit resource for those living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV and Aids.”

In addition,  Desert AIDS Project strives to improve the overall health of the entire community, including those underserved by current health care systems, by providing comprehensive, quality primary and preventive healthcare, dentistry, behavioral health and social services to more than 6,500 Coachella Valley area residents.

“It is my pleasure to honor Desert AIDS Project for all they have done and continue to do for so many people in the 28th Senate District,” Stone said. “I will continue to support their efforts and wish them nothing but success in the years to come.”

The California Association of Nonprofits is a statewide alliance with more than 10,000 organizations that represent and promote California’s growing nonprofit sector.

Stone represents California’s 28th Senate District. The district, which is entirely in Riverside County, stretches from the vineyards of the Temecula Valley to the Colorado River and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Wildomar.