ASAAP was founded as a result of the voluntary efforts of a group of concerned community members in 1989. True to the history of ASAAP, we continue to provide many of our services through collaboration with our talented and committed volunteers. Volunteer involvement has not only increased the capacity of ASAAP to respond to emerging community needs, but has also continued to provide South Asian community members with opportunities to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Although ASAAP does not receive direct program funding for a formalized volunteer program, volunteer involvement is an integral component in each of ASAAP's HIV Prevention & PHA (Persons living with HIV/AIDS) Support programs. Through this process, volunteers directly contribute to each of our diverse programs. We rely on volunteers to:

During the course of your work as an ASAAP volunteer, you may learn certain facts about clients, staff members, and other volunteers that are highly personal and confidential in nature.

ASAAP recognizes that South Asian families & communities are often very close-knit and that the issue of HIV/AIDS is still highly stigmatized in our families & communities. As such, ASAAP expects all volunteers to understand the importance of keeping confidential any and all information they receive. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: the identity, name, address, phone numbers, HIV status, medical condition and treatment, sexual orientation, financial situation, living arrangements, work situation, immigration status, relations with family members and other personal information.

Even the fact that an individual is a client or volunteer with ASAAP is sensitive information and must be treated as completely confidential. A breach of confidentiality willfully or negligently could result in someone being fired from work, evicted from housing, disowned by family and friends, deported from the country, and/or open someone up to abusive situations.

For the safety of clients, volunteers and staff at ASAAP, all volunteers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement not to disclose any information of a personal or professional nature to any person - even within the organization - who is not authorized to have such information. Any violation of this Oath of Confidentiality may result in a request from the Executive Director for a volunteer’s resignation or termination. This oath does not end upon the completion of your volunteer service with ASAAP.

For more information regarding volunteering, please contact us.