Christie Milton-Torres

A loving and caring wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.

Christie’s Promise

Christie Milton-Torres dreamed that one day there would be a haven for women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS.

1985

At age 20 Christie was diagnosed with HIV and her husband, Angel, was diagnosed two months later with AIDS. Fortunately, their only child was born HIV negative even though at that time there were no medications developed to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

1992

Christie buried her husband

1994

Christie died of complications due to AIDS

1987

Christie took the lead in addressing HIV after providing an interview portraying what life was like as a wife and mother living with HIV in San Diego.

At a time when very few women were speaking out about their experiences with HIV, Christie became a spokesperson and advocated for the needs of families living with HIV/AIDS. In an early interview with El Sol del San Diego newspaper Christie talked about what life was like for a family living with HIV. Christie said:

“HIV doesn’t discriminate"

Christie knew that long before others were recognizing it. She was a tireless advocate for the needs of women, children and families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

April 2006

Marked twenty years since Christie’s parents, Irene and Doug Milton, made her dream a reality by founding Christie’s Place.

Remembering our founder, Irene Milton

June 5, 1947 – April 14, 2023

Irene Milton, along with her husband Doug, founded Christie’s Place in 1996 in honor of her adopted daughter, Christie Milton-Torres, so that women and families impacted by HIV in San Diego would always have a safe haven. She leaves behind a legacy of fierce advocacy and boundless love for the clients and communities served by Christie’s Place. Thank you so much, Irene, for your many contributions to the HIV community. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

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Christie’s legacy lives on as Christie’s Place

Providing education, advocacy and support services to women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS.

What started as a small grassroots organization has grown into a comprehensive support center guided by its mission.

We utilize a wrap-around psychosocial and multidisciplinary model of care that serves the entire family, not just the infected person. At Christie’s Place clients can access a substantial range of services provided by expert staff and a network of collaborative partners that empower women and families to help themselves and each other.

22,000+

Annual visits

1,400+

Clients served