We will not
stop until there’s a cure

We will not stop until there’s a cure

About Aunt Rita’s

Aunt Rita’s Humble Beginnings

In our mission to end HIV in Arizona, Aunt Rita’s quietly began in 1988 with our first fundraising bake sale. Since then, Aunt Rita’s Foundation has provided millions of dollars to HIV programs and prides itself as the “Connector of the HIV Community” with gap-filling programs that include testing and collaborative initiatives. Partner agencies include Ebony House, The Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, CAN Community Health, Chicanos Por La Causa LUCES Program, HEAL International, HIV Care Directions, Valleywise Health, one n ten, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Southwest Center, Shot in the Dark, Southwest Recovery Alliance and Terros Health. Aunt Rita’s has provided millions of dollars in grant funding in support of critical HIV prevention and treatment programs throughout Arizona.

Aunt Rita’s distributes free Home HIV oral swap test kits through GetTestedAz.org and provides vouchers for confidential clinical testings at 100 Safeway stores and Sonora Quest locations statewide. Aunt Rita’s signature fund-raising events are AIDS Walk Arizona and RED is the Night, and and we commemorate World AIDS Day with a community-oriented Picnic in the Park. Aunt Rita’s Foundation also works with the Arizona Department of Health Services to increase awareness and education about HIV/AIDS statewide through HIVAZ.ORG. Aunt Rita’s Foundation was a founding member with the City of Phoenix Fast Track Cities initiative and plays a vital role in advocating at the Arizona legislature and State Government to establish laws, regulations, and policies that further our efforts to educate, prevent HIV, and treat HIV.

Our core beliefs & most important values

Mission

In everything we do, we are dedicated to the elimination of, and suffering from, HIV and AIDS.

Vision

To be the catalyst of HIV/AIDS awareness, education and support.

Values

Accountability, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Diversity, Collaboration, and Passion.

At a Glance

AUNT RITA’S ANNUAL REPORT

AUNT RITA’S 990

The Arizona 2022-2026 HIV/STI/Hep C Integrated Plan

A successful team beats with one heart

Stacey Jay Cavaliere

Executive Director

Stacey Jay Cavaliere is a dedicated and experienced leader in the nonprofit community in Arizona, with over 20 years of experience working in the social services sector. As a respected professional in the field, Stacey Jay has assumed various programmatic and executive leadership positions throughout his career. He is a tireless advocate for vulnerable populations and marginalized communities, including youth and young adults, justice-involved and houseless individuals, and those living with HIV. Throughout his career, he has developed and managed positive youth development and homelessness prevention programs, stewarded major, corporate, and sustaining donor initiatives, and has extensive experience executing record-breaking fundraising events. Stacey Jay has served on several boards including Phoenix Pride, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Phoenix, and RipplePHX. He is also an inaugural class member of the Leading for Change Fellowship program and an AmeriCorps alum.

Stacey Jay also serves as a personal resource for others, walking in his truth as a proud HIV-positive man thriving with the disease for over 20 years. When he was first diagnosed, Aunt Rita’s Foundation was one of the first places he reached out to for resources, which led him to being connected to several of Aunt Rita’s partner agencies. Reflecting on his history accessing these life-saving services, he states, “My journey has come full circle and I genuinely believe the universe is calling me to serve the community in a new capacity. As the Executive Director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation, I look forward to leading this dedicated team, supporting our partner agencies, and building upon the organization’s rich legacy, working each day tirelessly, to end HIV in Arizona.”

Citlaly Gomez Ibarra

Operations Manager

Citlaly Gomez Ibarra (She/Her) is a Phoenix native and proud graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor‘s degree in Political Science. Growing up in an immigrant family, she developed a passion for social justice and migrant rights, inspiring her to become involved in various community-based organizations dedicated to electoral and migrant justice. Her commitment to civic engagement earned her the Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service’s Congressman Ed Pastor Civic Leadership Award from ASU.

Currently, Citlaly serves as the Operations Manager at Aunt Rita’s Foundation and is also a part of the 2023 Valleywise Health Foundation Emerging Leaders Program.

Irma Gabriela Martinez

Program and Events Manager

Gaby Martinez serves as the Program and Events Manager at Aunt Rita’s Foundation, bringing a unique blend of academic dedication and unwavering passion to our team.
Gaby is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Science at Arizona State University, with a particular focus on Pediatric HIV/AIDS. Her academic journey is a testament to her commitment to improving the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS, especially children and their families. Her dedication extends to enhancing education and accessibility of resources related to sexual health in underserved communities.
In her role at Aunt Rita‘s Foundation, Gaby focuses on education, awareness, outreach, and compassion to uphold and expand the organization’s mission. She is dedicated to making a difference and ensuring that individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS receive the support, resources, and care they deserve.
Gaby is an integral part of our team, and her commitment to our cause is an inspiration to us all. We are proud to have her on board as we continue our mission to make a meaningful impact on our community.

Jon Williams

Donor Relations Manager

Jon Williams is a visionary leader known for abilities to win community support for local causes, manage and develop donor strategies with financial success, and build key partnerships with businesses and organizations with a shared sense of purpose. With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit health, human services, and community organizations in Arizona, Colorado, and Indiana, he brings his donor relations and management experience to Aunt Rita’s Foundation as their next Donor Relations Manager.

Jon is passionate for service to all communities-in-need, with a key focus on various nonprofit sectors including health and human services, children and education and underserved populations. Jon has worked for many national and local organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, numerous Feeding America Food Banks in Indiana and Arizona, the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and previously with A Stepping Stone Foundation in Phoenix.

As an expert in fund development, donor relations and event and volunteer management, Jon is looking to create a bigger impact with the donors and supporters of Aunt Rita’s Foundation, to help more individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Arizona!

Gabriella Zwall

Program and Events Intern

Gabriella Zwall is an enthusiastic leader focused on community impact, event planning, and nutrition. She is studying Dietetics at Arizona State University. She has helped at several community organizations such as AZCEND, Changemaker Central, and Native Health Community Garden to use her passion for event planning and nutrition to benefit the community. Her dedication to proper nutrition education and happy, healthy communities has led her to Aunt Rita’s Foundation, where Gabby plans on using her nutrition and event planning experience to plan and manage events that help uphold Aunt Rita’s vision.

Check out our board of directors

Officers

Directors

Chair/Secretary: Daniel Sciortino, Bank of America

Treasurer: Nichole Kerr, Sonora Quest Laboratories

Barbara Garden, Terros Health

Brennan Ohare, Walgreens

Rebecca Lutz, CAN Community Health

Arlene Mahoney, Southwest Recovery Alliance

David Twigger, Vermilion Events

Kara Ihrke, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Bill Holt Clinic

Angel B Algarin PhD, MPH, Arizona State University

Jason Vail Cruz, Valleywise Health

Check out our board of directors

Interested in Volunteering?

The best way to get involved as a volunteer is to sign up to receive our volunteer updates, sign up below! Your name will be added to our volunteer email list and we will reach out to you when there are opportunities for you to volunteer with Aunt Rita’s Foundation.

Volunteer Form

We will not
stop until there’s a cure