Laguna Shanti moves out of town

Suzie Harrison

The HIV/AIDS service agency Laguna Shanti has moved out of Laguna

Beach to a larger location in Laguna Hills, executive director Bob

Barnes said.

“Less than 30% of our clients live in Laguna Beach,” Barnes said,

explaining that the move is in the center’s clients’ best interest.

“The reality of the disease is that in the late ‘80s and ‘90s it

devastated the gay community in Laguna Beach, the ratio was

devastating. It’s not the same ratio now.”

He said that Laguna Beach clients will receive the same service

they have since the agency opened in 1987.

The move, which took place a month ago, also came with a name

change to Shanti Orange County.

Barnes estimated that the new facility will save the nonprofit

organization $30,000 a year. The rent has been more than cut in half

while the group added 900 square feet of space.

“Sure, Laguna Beach is a hard place not to be, the village, the

sense of community is wonderful,” Barnes said. “You feel at home, get

to know the shop owners and it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

However, clients from outside Laguna complained about parking and

the difficulty of getting into the city, especially via bus.

“Me, on a personal level, I would like to stay in Laguna Beach,”

Barnes said. “But it would have been fiscally irresponsible not to do

it.”

While local AIDS activists said they understand the reasoning

behind the move, they also pointed out that their clients will be

affected.

“I’m sure it makes sense for them financially, and if it helps

them help more people then great,” said Brent Wagner, the property

manager for Hagen Place, which provides low-income housing for people

with HIV. “But we’re seeing cuts at all levels of government, as far

as HIV is concerned, and this is probably just the beginning. Who

knows what’s down the road.”

Laguna Beach Community Clinic executive director Erika Waidley

echoed worries about future funding for HIV and AIDS treatment.

“It’s a challenge. Nonprofit service organizations in our county

have been severely affected by budget cuts,” Waidley said. “We hope

the Shanti will be able to continue their tremendous HIV/AIDS

services.”

The new location is at 23181 Verdugo Drive, Suite 101, Laguna

Hills. An open house is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. To reach

Shanti Orange County call (949) 452-0888 or go to

https://www.lagunashanti.org.