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AIDS/SIDA Since August of 2009 the charity-support group organization SETAC or the Puerto Vallarta Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Center has been located in a quiet area of Old Town at 427 Constitucion street at Manuel Dieguez. The purpose of the Center is to provide essential services to the GLBT society, including support in recovery from alcoholism and other afflictions, physical and mental health treatment and referrals, education and recreation in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. Programs include HIV prevention, counseling and education, HIV support groups, and a general mission that includes promoting the sexual rights and gender equality of the lesbian and gay community. See more information below, and please remember that they are in need of more support. There are some 500+ AIDS cases in Puerto Vallarta. AIDS is now the second leading cause of death in Mexico for those 15-44 years old and there are more than 220,000 infected persons in the country, and 11% of the people living with HIV in Latin America are here in Mexico. The high prevalence of bisexual behavior among men is having a major impact on HIV infection in straight families and among women and children. You may also note that the charitable Vallarta Confronts AIDS (Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA - V.E.S.) which was involved in education and prevention programs for several years has been inactive since 2010. Alano Club: AA, NA, Al-Anon and CoDa AA meetings in English plus Al-Anon, NA, SLAA and Coda. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) general open group meetings Mon-Sat at 9am and 6:30pm and Sun at 11am; for women only Thurs at 10:30am; for men only Thurs at 8pm; Sun for gay and lesbian at 11am but call for location please. Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Daily at 5pm; Al-Anon, Mon and Fri at 6:30pm (Fri only May-Nov). N/A Step Sisters, Tues at 6:30pm. Co-Dependents (CoDa), mixed, Weds and Fri at 10:30 am. Over-Eaters Anonymous (OA), daily at 5pm. Meetings at the 329 Basilio Badillo, interior upstairs, across the street from Johnny's Diner. Further information Tel: 222-5711, 222-3906, 222-2505, or 209-0746 evenings. For current and pertinent information, locations and contacts in the Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay area, from Yelapa to Guayabitos and beyond, visit the website of the Alano Club of Puerto Vallarta America-Mexico Foundation/Becas Vallarta The AMF is a volunteer, non-profit U.S tax-deductible foundation that works in conjunction with the non-profit Becas Vallarta organization to assists qualified PV students continue their education by providing scholarships. These Puerto Vallarta charity foundations together supply scholarships to some 200-250 high student and university students. Volunteers welcome. Find further information on their Becas Vallarta site and perhaps you can lend a helping hand. Contact: Mariel Fregoso, Tel: 221-0789 or Buri Gray, 221-5285 or Polly Vicars, 223-1371 . Banderas Bay Women's Shelter The mission of non-profit charitable Banderas Bay Women's Shelter is to provide an immediate, temporary safe shelter for local women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse and violence. The Shelter also helps them receive ongoing emotional support with professional counseling services and prepare them to be financially independent through education, jobs and small business loans. Calendar of benefit events at Banderas Bay Women's Shelter update. To make a donation or volunteer contact director David Zude, Cell: 044-322-103-2451 or visit compassionforthefamily.org Bay and Beach Clean Up Organizes annual beach clean ups usually in mid-November after the rainy season and in mid-May before the rains begin. Dedicated to raising awareness among the peoples of Puerto Vallarta. Contact, Craig Caughlin, Phone: 223-2542 with Email at zentiente@pvnet.com.mx Canica Puerto Vallarta Support Center for Children with Cancer (Canica - Centro de Atencion a Niños con Cancer), together with the Vallarta Womens' Association (Asociacion Femenil Vallartense) has as one of their main programs giving aid and attention to children and youngsters of low income with cancer in Puerto Vallarta, as well as aiding their families. Office at 107 Batallon de San Blas, Col. Niños Heroes.  Tel: 224-9906, 293-2276 Casa Hogar A Puerto Vallarta orphanage near the airport and bus terminal run by Catholic nuns. Most of the 50-55 children come from families who are unable to care adequately for them. Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz was founded in 1993 and provides these children with a home, education and health care; its needs include kitchen supplies, medicine, hygiene supplies such as soap and shampoo, diapers, milk and clothing. Donations to Casa Hogar are tax deductible in Mexico. Contact Luz Aurora, Telephone: 221-1908 or 141-6974.

Charity Bingo
Nacho Daddy restaurant at 180 Basilio Badillo on the South Side hosts charity bingo every other Tuesday night during the season, starting October 11, 2011. Bingo has raised over $35,000 the last two years for local charities such as Canica for kids with cancer, Pasitos de Luz handicapped children, Seniors home for the Elderly, the Puerto Vallarta orphanage Casa Hojar for children, local Food Bank (Banco de Alimentos), and the Shelter for cats. Lots of prizes, and a variety of food and drink specials are offered by the restaurant. For further details call: 223-0838

Ecology Group of Puerto Vallarta
The Ecology Group of Vallarta (el Grupo Ecologico de Puerto Vallarta) believes that residents of the Banderas Bay area have the legal right and moral responsibility to participate in the conservation of the natural beauty and wildlife of the area as an essential element of our community. Over the years they have been involved in reforestation activities in Puerto Vallarta, protection of crocodiles and birds, recycling, and community clean up of the Pitillal River. Ecology Group office downtown at 529 Hidalgo street. Contact: Claudia Patricia Cubillos, Cell: 044-322-192-3780 or R. C. Walker, Tel: 222-0897 at his Email: grupoecologicopv@yahoo.com.mx

Feed the Children Vallarta
Formed in 1998 with the mission to help the poor children who were living in and around the city dump, Children of the Dump's main focus is on helping the children in Puerto Vallarta go to school and stay there. While there are no children now living in the dump, Feed the Children Vallarta provides food for more than 1,800 children daily in the  primary and kinder schools around the dump and an additional 1,500 children each week with their hot meals program. For information contact Cell: 044-322-158-8815 or 322-223-4311

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center (SETAC) in Puerto Vallarta
The Puerto Vallarta Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Center has officially opened in a quiet area of Old Town at 427 Constitucion street at Manuel Dieguez. The purpose of the Center is to provide essential services to the GLBT community, including support in recovery from alcoholism and other afflictions, physical and mental health treatment and referrals, education and recreation in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. Programs include HIV prevention, counseling and education, HIV support groups, referral networks, AA meetings and codependency groups, English as a second language classes, there is an on-site nutritionist and Movie night is every Tuesday at 7:30pm. Volunteers are needed. Further information about the valuable and charitable Puerto Vallarta Gay and Lesbian Center and also see the news article at Banderas News. AA Step study group Weds, 8:30pm; AA meetings also Weds and Sun, 10:30-12:30pm. For PV gay and lesbian community center info contact Paco Arjona at the SETAC center, Telephone: 224-1974.

Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde, A.C. (Ecology Group of the Green Coast)
Founded in 1992, the Green Coast Ecology Group was originally set up to protect nesting turtles along the San Francisco (San Pancho) beaches in the state of Nayarit which begins just north of Puerto Vallarta. In April 1993 Groupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde received official recognition by the Mexican government to become the first non-profit environmental civil organization of the Nayarit region with a special interest in the protection of the marine turtle. Through the governmental offices of SEMARNAT (Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources) this ecology group works to help protect all other endangered species of flora and fauna along that part of the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde/Green Coast Ecology Group sponsors environmental education programs as well.

International Friendship Club (IFC)
The International Friendship Club is a group of expatriates from the U.S. and Canada whose goals include promoting friendship between the international and the local communities. The group works to provide funds to Puerto Vallarta charities and community programs such as school construction and education supplies, reconstructive surgery for cleft palate patients, Becas Vallarta, emergency medical aid, AIDS, a local orphanage and physical rehabilitation clinic, Los Mangos library, Santa Barbara Clinic Rehab, as well as funding a large community food distribution program. The International Friendship Club (facebook) annually collects and distributes some $100,000 USD to some sixteen programs. Since 1985 with their office at Edificio Parian del Puente #13 upstairs, corner of Libertad and Miramar streets in downtown Vallarta. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. The phone from Canada or the United States: 1-514-418-2123, local Tel: 222-5466 or 221-5681 and email: ifcvallarta@gmail.com

Los Bambinos
A group of young Mexican brothers (and a cousin) available to sing at your gathering/celebration/party. You can catch them around town in the evenings singing at many of the restaurants and bars on the South Side. CDs also available. Email: gerardocarlos@yahoo.com  Tel: 222-6412

Make-a-Wish Foundation
Make-a-Wish Foundation of Mexico is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses who will not likely see their 18th birthday. One hundred percent of the funds are used for the wishes. Funded by corporate sponsors and private donations that are tax deductible in the U.S. and Mexico. Started up in Vallarta and active here since 2003, they work to grant wishes to children that are between 3 and 18 years old in all of Mexico. Office at 337-A San Salvador street, Colonia 5 de Diciembre, Puerto Vallarta. Contact Bob Mandel, Tel: 222-9111 and toll free: 01-800-337-3671. Further information visit Make-a-Wish Foundation of Mexico.

Mama Vallarta
A Puerto Vallarta non-profit foundation providing free food and support to unfortunate women, men, children and elderly people. Their free kitchen, located at 306 Luis Donaldo Colosio in the Remance neighborhood is open 1pm-7pm daily, with the main emphasis on children and the elderly. Established in September 2009 by Adriana & Gabbi Paz. A wish list of needed items include: new or used kitchen items, plates, glasses, tables, chairs, napkins, toilet paper, sheets, blankets, towels, beans, rice, pasta, milk, salt, pepper, sugar, flour, consommé, oatmeal, cooking oil, tomato sauce, cleaning supplies, baby formula, diapers etc.  For info and to offer assistance, contact, Tel: 221-5074 or cell: 044-322-101-6936 and email at MamaVallarta@yahoo.com

Melchor's Spanish Language School
Do you have a broken VERB? Do your PREPOSITIONS hurt? Are your CONJUNCTIONS swollen? Are you in a SUBJUNCTIVE mood? Three week courses, with all levels of instruction. Visit Melchor's Spanish Language School in PV website. The only Puerto Vallarta language school using the famous Warren Hardy school materials. Contact Senor Melchor Cortes, from US at Cellular: 011-52-322-118-0822 or local Tel: 224-8917. I have a few other Spanish language lesson options listed on the Services page of this gay travel guide.

Old Town Farmers Market/Mercado Viejo Vallarta
With close to 50 producers and growers offering a variety of local grown farm fresh produce (picture left), artisan foods, baked goods and fresh pastas, jewelry, locally roasted coffee, handmade crafts, clothing, pies and quiches, art and community education for locals and tourists alike who are making the Old Town Farmers Market a Puerto Vallarta thing to do every Saturday from 9:30am-2pm. Also includes an area for non-profit organizations, free live music, and a children’s crafting and face painting area. The Market has moved to a new location at the kindergarten school El Jardin de Ninos/The Children's Garden located at 308 Pino Suarez street between V. Carranza and Basilio Badillo, where there is a large inner open-air courtyard. Now in its 3rd year, open November 5 until the last Saturday of May. Further info Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers Market or oldtownfm.com or Cell: 044-322-205-3384

Paradise Community Center
The Puerto Vallarta Paradise Community Center, located at 127 Pulpito street between Olas Altas and Amapas street, serves as an international non-profit, faith-based center which presents social, cultural, not-for-profit, educational and other special events. The Book and Bean Coffee Shop is a permanent fixture at this location and the Center now hosts new Artisan's Market and International Food Court every Weds night 6pm-9pm from Nov 9 on. Their charitable organizations include CompassioNet Impact and the Community Church which in turn help support several local outreach groups. Every Saturday from 9am-1pm the Paradise Community Center has the Saturday Market Co-op with authentic English pies, fresh baked breads, organic veggies, Thai dishes, crafts, flowers and more. Info at paradisecommunitycenter.com

PEACE (Protection Education Animals Culture and Environment)
PEACE, established in 2005 in Punta de Mita, Nayarit works hand in hand with communities in Mexico to provide holistic education combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability. Its 4 main programs focus on education, entrepreneurship, ecology, animal well-being and community engagement. PEACE is a registered Civil Association in Mexico and has registered U.S. nonprofit status. See PEACE facebook here.  Contact: 329-291-5157

Private Home Tours - International Friendship Club and PEACE
1. International Friendship Club - Take a tour through some of Puerto Vallarta's and Banderas Bay's most beautiful homes and villas. Sponsored by the International Friendship Club (IFC) since 1987, meet at the La Albufera restaurant, 242 Aquiles Serdan, west of Ignacio Vallarta street, across from Molino de Agua condos, every Weds and Thurs. Donation of 450 pesos. Ticket sales opens at 9am on tour day; advance reservations may be made at the IFC office or on-line at the International Friendship Club - Home Tours. Bus departs at 10:30am and returns at 2:30pm after viewing 4 homes. Tours run from November 14, 2012 to April 11, 2013. Try to wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a camera. Donations from the tours fund a number of Puerto Vallarta charities, primarily the Cleft Palate Surgical Program and other in-house educational and community service programs, plus providing assistance to Becas Vallarta and Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E) among others. Over 25 years assisting the Vallarta community. From the US or Canada: 514-418-2123.  For further info Tel: 222-5466, 221-5681
2. Classic Vallarta Home Tours by PEACE - Second season with their version of the home tours, visiting traditional Vallarta houses to million dollar beachfront villas and condos. Every Tues, at 10:30am, from November 20, 2012 to March 26, 2013. Tickets sold and tours start from Superior Tours Vallarta in Plaza Romy, 228 Ignacio Vallarta street at Lazaro Cardenas. 100% of the ticket proceeds support PEACE, an organization that focuses on education, community engagement and animal well-being in the coastal regions of the states of Nayarit, Jalisco and Quintana Roo, Mexico. Pre-sale tickets, $30 or 400 pesos; Day of tour tickets, $35 or 450 pesos. Further information: PEACE Home Tours & Phone: 224-4407

Ports of Art/Foundacion Aire Fresco/Fresh Air Foundation - Puerto Vallarta
Located within the Puerto Vallarta International Airport in the departure terminal, Ports of Art was created to provide opportunities for artists to display their work in an open venue, to contribute towards the visual enhancement of public spaces and to raise funds for the Fundación Aire Fresco. Since 2008, the Fresh Air Foundation has helped hundreds of youngsters and young people in attending day and summer camps with programs in the arts, language, ecology and physical education. Further details at Ports of Art

Public Library Los Mangos (Biblioteca Los Mangos)
The public library of Vallarta needs funds to operate and increase their book inventory, as well as to help with the cultural center. Art classes, dance performances, etc. The Puerto Vallarta Public Library offers activities for local children every Sat morning 10am-Noon. Located at 1001 Avenida Francisco Villa, Col. Los Mangos. Director Ricardo Murrieta Grada, Tel: 224-9966, 293-1957.  Open, Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm; Sat, 10am-6pm

Puerto Vallarta Gay Men's Chorus/Coro Varonil
Inspired by the concerts & concept of the Seattle Men's Chorus, a group in Puerto Vallarta have formed a gay men's chorus, the first such one in Mexico and all of Latin America. The chorus is bi-cultural and bi-lingual, a forward-looking combination of Mexican men and North American ex-pats. With founder and director Robert Bruneau, a well known local gay community member. Their mission is to present beautiful male choral music in both Spanish and English by the local gay Mexican and ex-pat communities to entertain and unify the audience, and use the power of this music to recognize the value of our gay community and our relationships. Singers (there are some 50-100 members now) and volunteers are needed and welcome, as are gifts, so go to the website for further details or to make a donation at the Mens Chorus and more info & photos on Facebook at El Coro Varonil Vallarta Men's Chorus. They did a Gay Pride Concert on June 17, 2012 at 7pm at the new Boutique Theatre, located at 330 Naranjo street at Basilio Badillo; and their recent performance at the Teatro Vallarta on December 19 for their Christmas holiday concert drew the largest crowd ever to the Theater, a main center of the town's culture. The chorus is now a member of GALA Choruses, a worldwide organization that represents over 8,000 singers and some 170 choruses throughout the world. Contact Bob at cellular: 044-322-779-9935 or Vonage line: 206-323-1133
 

Red Cross/Cruz Roja Mexicana
Handles hospital and emergency services locally, offering its services to those who are unable to afford it. In need of operating funds and equipment as well as volunteers, as you could well imagine. One of the outstanding charitable organizations in Mexico that always offers massive assistance in earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters that afflict the country. Rio de la Plata street at Rio Balsas, in Colonia Lopez Mateos. Contact the Red Cross clinic, Tel: 065, 222-4973, 222-1533 or Aurea Torres, Tel: 222-2455.

Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza - R.I.S.E. (Vallarta Children's Shelter of Hope)
Shelter for babies and children under the age of fifteen, the RISE Children Shelter-Refuge was established in 2001 and is run by the nuns from the Order of Carmelites of Jesus of Nazareth. Some of the children are orphans or come from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected or simply abandoned. Some have been transferred from other facilities because of overcrowding and many have been in institutions for most of their lives. Located at 251 Ricardo Flores Magon street, Colonia Benito Juarez. Visitors welcome 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm. Contact Marde Mari, Tel: 222-7857; Cell phone (English spoken): 044-322-127-2401, 044-322-149-2222. Info visit Childrens Shelter Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza

S.O.S. Animal
Dedicated to finding homes for street dogs and cats. If you want to adopt an animal, call Tel: 221-0077 or cellular Tel: 044-322-227-5519

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta
Helps fund and promote sterilization, health care and adoption of animals in the Puerto Vallarta area. They also provide private vet costs for rescued animals, foster homes for cats and dogs, and an adoption network. Email: spcapv@gmail.com & to volunteer, adopt, foster or donate to the Protective and Compassionate Society for the Animals of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico visit the Puerto Vallarta SPCA or their spcapv.blogspot.com

Toys for Tots
Raises funds to purchase toys for distribution to the neediest kids of the Bay area on Three Kings' Day, January 6. Donations of cash or toys are accepted year round. Contact: Jerry Lafferty, Tel: 221-6156; Kelly Trainor, Tel: 222-0069; or Gaby Castro at the Marriot hotel, Tel: 221-0004.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Opened in 2005 with over 3,000 different species of native and non-native plants such as cactus, palms, ferns, orchids and bromeliads, the non-profit Vallarta Botanical Gardens are located approximately 17 miles (at Km. 24 Highway to Barra de Navidad) south of the city in the  lower Sierra Madre mountains. Situated on 20 sprawling acres of highlands, it's a lovely natural attraction to spend some quality time outdoors communing with Nature with your family and friends. Many visitors now consider this a Puerto Vallarta must thing to see and do. 60 pesos donation.

Western Ecological Society
The Western Ecological Society (Sociedad Ecologica de Occidente) is a non-profit agency in Mexico created to promote the conservation of Puerto Vallarta natural resources. The organization seeks to create simple projects, but with a clear focus that fulfills objectives with a minimum of capital. Their goals include: "To promote and to impel the protection and conservation of the Wildlife and natural resources in the region of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas in Mexico. To foment the respect of nature through environmental education, creating conscience and willingness to contribute to the conservation of wildlife." The Western Ecological Society also works to develop and support specific projects of conservation and ecosystem restoration and thus improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of the area through learning to cohabitate with Nature in the Puerto Vallarta Bay Area with details and photos about Marine mammals as well. They have non-commercial ecological sea turtle tours (July 15-Oct 15) as well as bird watching, photo-hiking and whale watching. Email: seaturtlesvta@aol.com or seaturtlesvta@aim.com

Also helping out the children of Vallarta is the charitable organization Children's Shelter of Hope Foundation, among others. One of the most complete lists of community service groups is on-line at Banderas News here Puerto Vallarta Charities & Non-profit Organizations.

Note: The information provided in the Puerto Vallarta Gay Travel Guide was considered accurate when posted but changes do occur, so you may wish to confirm details directly with the Puerto Vallarta charities, environmental groups and PV non-profit organizations noted above.