"Focusing our response to HIV on holistic health and wellness will make our community stronger," said Neil Giuliano, San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO. "We are not a series of risk factors. At Strut, we'll offer free, supportive services that help clients work toward maintaining health, regardless of HIV status. That means more HIV testing, harm reduction counseling, case management and community engagement services in a judgment-free, culturally-competent atmosphere, in one spot."
When doors open, gay, bi and trans men will be able to access the HIV testing, screening and treatment for other sexually-transmitted infections and other health services of Magnet, a globally-recognized clinic that has served the Castro since 2003. Strut will also be the permanent home of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program that has helped more than 625 HIV-negative men access medication that prevent HIV infection.
Later in January, the substance use and mental health counseling services of the Stonewall Project, and the community-building, case management and support programs of Bridgemen, the DREAAM project, the Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network and Positive Force are scheduled to move in. The new, 14,700 square-foot, three-story building will enable the foundation to expand case management services by 25%, mental health counseling by 25%, substance use and harm reduction counseling by 50%, and HIV and STI screening up to 40%.
Services offered at Strut complement those for gay, bi and trans men and trans women available at 1035 Market Street and through the mobile testing unit.
This groundbreaking new center is made possible by community contributions to the Campaign for Health & Wellness, which has raised more than $12.6 million toward its $15 million goal.
Learn more and contribute at strutsf.org/wellnesscampaign. Info: strutsf.org .
About San Francisco AIDS Foundation
At San Francisco AIDS Foundation, we work to end the epidemic where it first took hold, and eventually everywhere. Established in 1982, our mission is the radical reduction of new infections in San Francisco. Through education, advocacy, and direct services for prevention and care, we are confronting HIV in communities most vulnerable to the disease. More information at sfaf.org .
