Cesar Castillo Garnica (he/him) is the Founder, President, and Executive Director of Status Project Inc. He founded the organization in October 2023 so people and families could connect with housing, health, recovery, community support, and opportunity, in their own language and with respect for their culture.
The work in Boston
Cesar is a bilingual medical case manager at Commonwealth Land Trust in Boston. Since 2023 he has coordinated medical care, performed phlebotomy, and helped clients access rental assistance through RAFT, Boston Housing Authority applications and recertifications, and referrals for mental health care, detox, and overdose prevention. His work has included support for LGBTQ+ community members seeking rental, mental health, and social services; referrals to workforce development and training; and support for a food pantry and other community initiatives.
From 2018 to 2023 he served at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition in Roxbury, first as a Peer Advocate and later as a Health System Navigator in the peer support department. He connected clients with medical, legal, pharmaceutical, nursing, addiction, and alternative-therapy services. He handled intakes, needs assessments, and referrals, facilitated weekly peer support groups, and accompanied clients to medical appointments. He helped clients improve their health outcomes, and he organized holiday toy distributions for clients’ children with partner nonprofits.
Preparation
Cesar is fluent in Spanish and English. His training includes 15 JRI Health courses between 2018 and 2023, covering trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, cultural responsiveness, LGBTQ+ health awareness, and support group facilitation. He is HIPAA-certified. He has also completed phlebotomy training and case-management documentation through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
His education, as listed on his resume, includes a professional chef credential from the Culinary Institute of Caracas (2005–2007); postgraduate study in economics and social science, and in Spanish-language correction style, at the Central University of Venezuela (2005–2007); a high-school diploma in science from La Colorada High School in Táchira, Venezuela; and computer-science coursework through the sixth semester at Computación C.U.A.M. in Valencia, Venezuela. He also completed advanced English coursework at the YMCA in Downtown Crossing, Boston, at Quinsigamond Community College, and at Worcester State University.
Before Boston
Before this chapter, Cesar built and ran two businesses in Caracas. From 2005 to 2009 he owned El Rincón del Capricho, a restaurant, leading staff, budgets, menus, inventory, and promotional events. From 2010 to 2015 he owned Conopotours, a travel agency, arranging air, hotel, car-rental, and event bookings and domestic and international travel. Earlier, from 1994 to 1999, he served as a court bailiff in the municipal courts of Silva, Monseñor Iturriza, and Palma Sola in Tucacas, Falcón, Venezuela.
Founding Status Project
Status Project Inc. adopted its formation bylaws on October 18, 2023. A Massachusetts certificate of good standing was issued on October 24, 2023. Federal 501(c)(3) recognition is effective November 1, 2023. Cesar leads the organization with co-founders Elizabeth Valentin, Elizabeth Castro, Cristian Sleither Castillo Garnica, and Edson G. Suarez Silva.
The organization’s vision: “A society where every individual, regardless of background, has access to the resources and support needed to thrive.”