Norman Valdez MPA

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College is a time of discovery, independence, and connection—but it’s also a time to take charge of your health. At CAPCO, we’re committed to supporting students with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves and others from HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

What You Need to Know

• HIV and STDs don’t discriminate. Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk, regardless of orientation, gender, or relationship status.
• Many STDs are asymptomatic. Regular testing is key—even if you feel fine.
• HIV is preventable and manageable. With PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), safer sex practices, and early treatment, students can live confidently and healthily.

Prevention Starts with Awareness

• Use protection. Condoms and dental dams reduce transmission risk.
• Get tested regularly. Most campus health centers offer confidential testing.
• Know your status. Understanding your own health empowers you to make informed decisions.
• Talk openly. Honest conversations with partners build trust and safety.

CAPCO’s Commitment

We partner with local colleges to provide:

• Free or low-cost HIV/STD testing
• Access to PrEP and other preventive medications
• Counseling and educational workshops
• Support for students living with HIV

📍 Need Help or Have Questions?

Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis, seeking prevention options, or just want to learn more, CAPCO is here for you. Reach out to our team or visit our campus outreach events.

Your health is your power. Own it. Protect it. Share it.

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At CAPCO, we embrace and celebrate diversity. No matter the color, size, culture, gender, belief, religion, or age—you are welcome here. Together, we create a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and respected.

Join us and be a part of our inclusive family! 🌍❤️

At CAPCO Resource Center, we are deeply grateful to our collaborators, G&M Medical Associates, for their unwavering support in the fight against the HIV epidemic. Their commitment to allowing CAPCO to conduct HIV testing within their clinical care setting is making a significant impact in our community.

On Thursday, December 19th, we had the pleasure of expressing our gratitude by delivering a basket of treats to the dedicated staff at G&M Medical Associates. This small token of appreciation symbolizes our heartfelt thanks for their ongoing collaboration and the vital role they play in improving public health.

Together, we are stronger in our mission to provide comprehensive HIV testing and care, ensuring that individuals have access to the resources and support they need. Thank you, G&M Medical Associates, for being exceptional partners in this critical work.

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence: A Tribute to Jerry Dillard

On November 22, 2024, CAPCO Resource Center proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone—the 25th Anniversary Legacy Celebration and Birthday of our esteemed CEO and Executive Director, Jerry Dillard. The event was held at the luxurious Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey, and it was an evening filled with joy, gratitude, and inspiration.

Jerry Dillard has been at the helm of CAPCO Resource Center for a quarter of a century, guiding our organization with unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a commitment to excellence. Under his stewardship, CAPCO has grown from a humble community resource center to a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals and families.

The celebration was a fitting tribute to Jerry’s immense contributions and the positive impact he has had on the lives of so many. Friends, family, colleagues, and community members gathered to honor Jerry’s legacy, sharing stories of his compassion, resilience, and tireless efforts to improve the lives of those we serve.

The ambiance at The Venetian was perfect, with elegant decor, delicious cuisine, and an atmosphere of camaraderie and appreciation.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating this special occasion. Your presence and support made the event truly memorable. As we look to the future, we are inspired by Jerry’s legacy and remain committed to continuing his mission of service and empowerment.

Here’s to 25 years of incredible leadership and to many more years of success and impact. Happy Birthday, Jerry Dillard, and thank you for all you do!

CAPCO would like to send a huge THANK YOU to the following sponsors who have made our 2019 tricky tray fundraising event possible:

Major Sponsor

Solvency Health Pharmacy

Nota Consulting Group

Sponsors

Billstra Pharmacy

Power Play Gaming

CAPCO is excited to announce our FIRST annual buffet dinner and tricky tray event, to be held on May 3rd, 2019 at the Fair Lawn Athletic Club from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM! A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors for this event!

At this event, guests will have a chance to win from a smorgasbord of prizes, including electronics, kitchen appliances, pet items, toys, make-up, accessories, family trips, activity passes, and so much more! The event shall also feature a 50/50, meaning you could leave this event with cold hard cash!

Tickets are $45 and include the following:

• Entry to event
• 1 sheet of 25 tier 1 tickets
• 1 door prize entry
• Buffet-style dinner
• Dessert
• Soft drinks
• Cash bar available

Additional raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Prizes will include:

• 55″ smart TV
• 32GB Amazon Fire Tablet
• Two 1-day Six Flag passes
• 1-hour Massage Envy massage
• Two tickets to any Red Bulls New York game this season
• Four tickets to any Somerset Patriots game this season
• Four VIP passes to 5 Wits West Nyack
• Four 1-day passes to YESTERcades
• Four VIP ride wristbands to iPlay America
• Passes to Morristown Game Vault
• Gift cards to dozens of local restaurants
• Gift cards to several local retailers
• And so much more!

If you would like to donate to the event (whether you are able to attend or not), CAPCO welcomes donations of individual prizes and/or gift baskets from individuals or organizations.

For more information, to talk about donating a prize, or to purchase tickets, please contact Austin at (973) 742-6742 ext. 303 or via email at capcoag@aol.com.

We hope to see you there!

 

On October 15th, 2018, CAPCO Resource Center partnered with NJ Buddies to host an event in recognition of National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day at Noches de Colombia in Clifton. While HIV awareness continues to grow across all communities in the United States, many communities are still lagging behind the national average in terms of HIV testing, HIV education, and so on. This day recognizes the ways in which mainstream efforts to raise awareness of HIV have not always reached Latinx populations.

Latinx populations also face unique problems when it comes to HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Language barriers often affect community members’ abilities to communicate effectively with their physicians, and cultural barriers can make disclosure difficult. Even talking about HIV can be a taboo, which can lead to increased HIV diagnoses in specific cultural communities.

The October 15th event addressed some of this concerns, inviting individuals of all communities and HIV statuses to attend. A presentation was offered in Spanish to discuss new breakthroughs in HIV prevention, care, and treatment, and community stakeholders were invited to speak about their experiences with HIV in Latinx communities. Additionally, Walgreen’s offered free flu shots and NJ Buddies offered free HIV testing to all attendees.

For more information on National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, check out the NLAAD by clicking here.

On Thursday, August 30th, 2018, CAPCO held a fundraising dinner entitled “Dine Out with CAPCO” at the Clifton Elks Lodge in Clifton, NJ. With over seventy-five attendees and nine sponsors (including Gilead Sciences, PNC Bank, PharmaPlus Specialty Pharmacy, Main Street Pharmacy, Mainfair Pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Costco Wholesale, and Total Wine & More), the event was a major success and CAPCO was able to raise over $4,000 to continue to provide services which improve the quality of life for people infected and affected by HIV in Bergen and Passaic Counties.

Over the course of the evening, CAPCO welcomed service providers, consumers, and general community members to celebrate the work we do on behalf of individuals living with HIV and to join us in providing for the future of programs that impact communities affected and infected by HIV. Attendees were treated to three musical performances by the talented Michael Saldarriaga and the Legendary Miss Amaz’n Grace, who especially wowed the crowd with their rendition of “After All,” originally recorded by Cher and Peter Cetera. Following these memorable performances, the audience enjoyed music provided by DJ Jay Insult and cut a rug on the dance floor to some of the greatest disco, Latin, and club hits of the past three decades.

In addition to the entertainment for the evening, Dine Out with CAPCO guests enjoyed the company of other individuals committed to supporting communities affected and infected by HIV. Many attendees took advantage of CAPCO’s photo station, taking pictures with one another to remember the evening for years to come.

CAPCO is incredibly grateful to all of our supporters throughout the Bergen-Passaic area and beyond. Without your support, Dine Out with CAPCO 2018 would not have been a success, and CAPCO as a whole would not be able to provide much-needed services to communities impacted by HIV.

Sad that you missed Dine Out with CAPCO 2018?

Sign up for our e-mail list to keep up to date with everything going on at CAPCO Resource Center and be sure to hear about our upcoming events!

Are you interested in working to make a change in the world? Do you want to work in an HIV-related field, focusing on the prevention of the spread of HIV, support for people living with HIV/AIDS, or research into new medications for the treatment and prevention of HIV and/or AIDS? Do you want to find out more information on how you can make these “wants” into realities?

Learn How to Become is an online resource that offers information on how to enter into the career of your dreams. From the type of education best suited to your work field of interest to businesses and organizations that are frequently hiring in that field, Learn How to Become has information directly related to reaching your future career goals. The website’s page regarding careers in the public health field as it pertains to HIV and AIDS can be found by clicking here.

This page includes information about the specific types of careers you can pursue that relate to HIV and AIDS, such as becoming an HIV/AIDS educator, a medical or non-medical case manager, a patient navigator, a research coordinator, or even a microbiologist. Also included on this page is a list of employers that are frequently hiring for HIV-related work, including both those in the private sector (such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, and ViiV Healthcare) and those in the public or non-profit sector (such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and amfAR).

So if you are interested in working in a field related to HIV and AIDS, what are you waiting for? Start planning for your future today!