CLIENT SUCCESS: Rob

Born in LA in 1961 and raised in Angelino Heights, Rob Castillo, is the fifth child in a family of 12 siblings, his father from Texas, his mother from Guadalajara, Mexico. Upon completing Belmont High School, Rob attended Los Angeles Community College (LACC) where he took courses in psychology, English, and theater. At age 22, Rob suffered severe injuries in a car accident that required painful surgery and hospitalization. To pay the exorbitant hospital bills, Rob was forced to leave school and tend bar.
In October 1986, Rob, the only gay son in his family, met his current life partner, Ken. Together they saved enough money to buy a house in Rosemead. In July of 1995, Rob tested HIV positive. He continued to work hospitality in Pasadena, but in January 2002, Rob was again the victim of a hit-and-run auto accident that left him temporarily paralyzed. Sole financial supporter for their household, Ken was unfortunately laid off from work as well. Unable to pay the bills, Rob and Ken decided to sell their home to avoid foreclosure, and they moved into an apartment in Atwater Village.
After extensive and costly rehabilitation complicated by advanced HIV, Rob was placed on disability, but he was eager to return to a more normal life. In spring of 2003, Rob began computer courses at the Project New Hope (PNH) Learning Center. "After the accident I needed a lot of help. I saw a flyer on the computer skills course at PNH Learning Center. I have always been computer illiterate, I really need to brush up my skills, and I have always been interested in graphic design. It has been nothing but good. I love it. I get so much support. It's nice I can relate to so many things here with the other students-- we all have the same HIV status. Where I used to hide taking my meds at work, here I can sit in the middle of class and take a handful of pills without anyone flinching. I get personal, focused attention from PNH."
Rob is not currently living in a PNH facility, and he is hoping suitable housing becomes available. Once Rob completes his graphic design course work with PNH, he hopes to get an Associates degree, and, perhaps later, return to school for a Bachelors degree.