Our mission is to educate, support, empower and advocate for Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) communities—particularly A&PIs living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. |
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IN OUR SEPTEMBER UPDATE: |
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES Since March of this year, A&PI Wellness Center staff, clients and community members have fought for the inclusion of A&PIs in San Francisco's HIV prevention plan. The City of San Francisco has agreed to form an A&PI HIV health task force charged with developing a long-term action plan to address HIV in A&PI communities. In addition, SFDPH has acknowledged the gap for A&PIs in their current plan, awarding A&PI Wellness Center $150,000 to provide HIV prevention services to A&PI gay and bisexual men in the coming year. This is a huge step forward for our communities. We must make adjustments, however, to reflect overall funding reductions due to policy shifts happening at local, state and national levels. To remain relevant, we must increase our HIV testing efforts to support the City's goals and align our programming with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. To meet this challenge we are restructuring our staffing and programming to safeguard our financial sustainability in this new era of HIV prevention. IMPORTANT FACTS TO BEAR IN MIND:
These changes allow A&PI Wellness Center to serve the A&PI and transgender communities in San Francisco while remaining relevant in the new HIV prevention landscape. If you have any questions, please contact Lance Toma, executive director, at 415-292-3420 x355 or lance@apiwellness.org. |
On July 22nd, our HIV Care Services clients gathered for the annual Client Picnic. Meeting at 730 Polk Street, it looked as if the weather would not cooperate, but upon arriving Crissy Field in the Presidio, the group was pleasantly surprised to see the sun shining and find the smell of freshly-mowed grass wafting through the air. One client said "it was a perfect day for a picnic!" The City and Golden Gate Bridge served as the backdrop for a feast of barbecued meats, garlic shrimp, macaroni salad and other delights. Clients got competitive during games of badminton, horseshoes, and bean bag toss or just relaxed while chatting with each other, wading along the beach, or exploring the Presidio. Another client summed up his experience and hopes for the next picnic this way: "I enjoyed the location and the weather was perfect. I was able to explore Crissy Field and I really enjoyed the game and activities. Hopefully we get to barbecue next time!" |
It's been a month since TRANS:THRIVE moved in with the rest of A&PI Wellness Center, and the staff and clients are all working hard on settling in. The TRANS:THRIVE staff spent the week leading up to the move painting the entire drop-in and office space. It took three days to complete, and it looks great! There are still a few odds and ends to tie up, but the offices have come together nicely, and we're all excited to be here. The clients are adjusting to a smaller space, but the perks of being housed at 730 Polk Street are quickly becoming apparent. Friday is Movie Night at Overall the move and our first month in our new space went better than anyone could have expected, and while there may have been a couple of small bumps in the road -- the Clothing Closet wasn't up and running on day one, and some of the computers decided to go on the fritz -- a month out we're all getting back into the swing of things. Thanks to everyone who has helped us make the transition! |
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After I was diagnosed as HIV-positive at the San Rafael General Hospital, I was placed into care at Gift of Love with Sister John Marie. I stayed there for two years after my diagnosis, and it helped my rehabilitation after a mild stroke I suffered due to my illness. But because Gift of Love is a hospice home and for the poorest of the poor, I could not stay; I had to look for housing elsewhere.
I learned a great deal working with my social worker. The Care staff are always courteous and ready to assist in every possible way to help make my life more manageable and easier. The services that are offered at A&PI Wellness Center also help with my specific needs too. I've been able to talk about my suicide attempts and other mental health issues with Dr. Tsui, Dr. Gamez and in group sessions. I also get to see a doctor regularly and get help with my AIDS Drug Assistance Program paperwork. I also got to sign up with other agencies like Project Open Hand and other services that have helped me continue to stay in San Francisco. I was also homeless for two years in San Francisco after being on housing waiting lists and being rejected, my social worker Dennis Mallilin helped me secure a single occupancy room at the Hotel Parkview. I have received a wealth of information and resources at A&PI Wellness Center that have helped my transition from a hopeless future to a bright one. |
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On August 13, our own Mike Nguyen, Men's and Youth Program Specialist was crowned Mr. GAPA (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance) at GAPA Runway23, hosted by Tita Aida. Mike, together with Miss GAPA Lychee Minnelli, will represent the A&PI LGBTQ community at various community events throughout the year, including San Francisco Pride. Mike will host also events that align to his chosen platform that he campaigned for at various community events prior to Runway. The platform Mike chose was saving HIV programming for A&PIs. "The work that I have done and continue to do allows me to see how HIV/AIDS affect our community, and why it is so important to continue providing programs and services." Mike was integral in helping advocate for funding and training clients to speak about their experiences at the SFDPH Town Hall. "I promise to continue my dedication and commitment to fighting for HIV/AIDS funding, education, and awareness within our community, especially with queer youth." We also asked Mike what he wishes to accomplish during his year-long reign. "I'd like to raise enough money to create a Young Men's Retreat, taking 15-20 young leaders that are interested in moving GAPA forward." When asked if he had anything else he wanted to share, he laughed and said, "I am single and looking to find someone to share adventures with. That, or someone to accompany me someday to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to check out my favorite animals, otters." Keep up with Mr. GAPA throughout his reign! Follow him on Facebook! |
A&PI Wellness Center is proud to be a beneficiary of this year's REAL BAD, a fundraising dance party immediately after Folsom Street Fair. REAL BAD is an annual fundraising event benefiting LGBT charities with local impact in San Francisco. POLLINATE WITH REAL BAD |
PROJECT 4PLAY COMMUNITY FORUMS Project 4PLAY is a new collaborative program between A&PI Wellness Center and Asian American Recovery Services. 4PLAY, which stands for 4-County Prevention & Leadership for A&PI Young Adults, is a continuation of Project 3-3-3, another collaborative program that focused on substance abuse and HIV prevention for young A&PI men. The project will cover Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. Project 4PLAY staff invite you to attend one of three community forums happening across the Bay Area. The forums will cover preliminary data and findings from Project 3-3-3 and provide an overview of the new project. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Each forum runs from 6:00-7:30pm. FREMONT FORUM |
On Tuesday, August 2, we celebrated the launch of our free medical clinic, now in operation for almost 6 months, with an open house. The event gave our Wellness Clinic staff a chance to share our successes and challenges with our supporters. About 90 people attended, including Assemblymember Fiona Ma, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, Supervisor Scott Wiener and Dr. Marcellina Ogbu (Chief Operating Officer of Community Health Programs at SFDPH). Guests enjoyed great food catered by Straits Café while taking tours of our offices. Our volunteer doctors and nurses were on hand to answer questions about our services. We are inspired by our supporters and their deep respect for the needs of our clients. |
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TRANS:THRIVE, and nothing really compares to watching a movie on a giant pull down screen with a projector. Many clients are also thrilled not to have to hike up "the hill" to get to TRANS:THRIVE's old location at 815 Hyde Street. And while they're missing some of our groups, like Ladies Who Lunch and Bingo, they're enjoying our new extended drop-in hours.
My move from San Mateo County to San Francisco was a source of worry and stress, and I was constantly thinking about my living situation. Around this time I was referred to the A&PI Wellness Center. I was warmly greeted by the staff and immediately assigned to a social worker. 
