HAN – Happy Hour
SFAF’s HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) is a grassroots groups of advocates in…
18
OCT
Our Advocacy
Our policy and advocacy team champions evidence-based policies at the local, state and federal levels, fighting every day to protect the health justice of people in our community. Together with partner organizations and community members, we shape legislation and funding for programs and policies that affect us all.
We focus on policies and funding for HIV prevention and care, sexually-transmitted infection and hepatitis C prevention and treatment, PrEP, harm reduction initiatives including supervised consumption sites, access to healthcare and healthcare affordability, housing and homelessness prevention, and more.
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Our Areas of Focus
HIV AND HEALTH POLICY
We fight for policies that improve access to quality, affordable health care, and other initiatives that improve public health.
HARM REDUCTION
We advocate for policies and practices that improve the health and lives of people who use substances.
HOUSING
We work to improve the housing landscape in San Francisco to reach a day when nobody is left without a place to call home.
Upcoming Advocacy Events
HAN – General Meeting
SFAF’s HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) is a grassroots group of activists in…
01
NOV
HAN – Happy Hour
SFAF’s HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) is a grassroots groups of advocates in…
15
NOV
HAN – General Meeting
SFAF’s HIV Advocacy Network (HAN) is a grassroots group of activists in…
06
DEC
Our Impact in 2018
$0 million
increase in Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA)
0
letters sent to Governor Brown in support of AB 186
$0 million
increase in HIV prevention funding in California
Advocacy & Policy Articles
Remembering my overdose, the fear still clings. I could have died that day.
In honor of National Recovery Month (September), HIV Advocacy Network member and person in recovery Nikos Pecoraro shares why they are fighting for safe consumption services in San Francisco.
California activists celebrate historic victories for older people living with HIV
HIV activists in San Francisco share their thoughts on recent historic wins in the city of San Francisco and state of California budgets, and the passage of SB 258.
We fought for HIV funding in San Francisco, and we won
Here's a short summary of a few key HIV funding initiatives included in SF's city budget for 2021-2022.
SFAF applauds the Supreme Court’s ruling on ACA
Today's ruling will preserve healthcare access for millions of people in the U.S.
A reflection after 40 years of HIV
On the 40th anniversary of the first documented cases of AIDS, Cleve Jones reflects on what this somber anniversary means.
Advocating for life-saving services delivered by syringe access programs
Laura Thomas, our director of harm reduction policy, testified to the House Committee on Appropriations for federal funding to expand services offered by syringe service programs.
HIV long-term survivors call for additional mental health care in San Francisco
Living through COVID-19 is compounding the anxiety, loss, and social isolation faced by some HIV long-term survivors. Additional mental health care support is much needed, say activists.
An activist shares why they advocate to repeal sex work criminalization
Cesar finds meaning in advocating for policies and funding that speak to his experience as a formerly homeless person living with HIV, who traded sex for a place to stay or a place to sleep at night.
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Our Advocacy Team
Anne Donnelly
Director, State Health Care Policy
Pronouns: She/her/hers
415-487-8049
adonnelly@sfaf.org
Ernest Hopkins
Senior Strategist & Advisor
Pronouns: He/him/his
415-487-3096
ehopkins@sfaf.org
Read Bio
Pronouns: He/him/his
415-487-3096
ehopkins@sfaf.org
Ernest Hopkins
Senior Strategist & Advisor
Ernest Hopkins leads the San Francisco AIDS Foundation national policy and legislative activities at the federal administrative and congressional levels, seeking appropriate levels of resource and sound public health policies that promote the health and wellness of San Franciscans living with and at risk for HIV.
Ernest marked 20 years at SFAF in 2017 having led federal policy and legislative activities since 1997. Prior to joining SFAF, Ernest was the director of health and treatment at the National Association for People with AIDS (NAPWA) in Washington, DC where he led clinical trial review and consultation at the inception of HIV antiretroviral development and availability, advocating for safety, effectiveness and affordability. Ernest leads and has led national advocacy coalitions like the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC) and the Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR). He has testified before congressional committees and advised Congress on legislative initiatives, earning him the Congressional Black Caucus's Leadership Award.
Ande Stone
Senior Community Mobilization Manager
Spanish
Pronouns: He/him/his
415-487-8010
astone@sfaf.org
Laura Thomas, MPH, MPP
Director, Harm Reduction Policy
Pronouns: she/her/hers
415-487-3034
lthomas@sfaf.org
Strength in Numbers
We work in coalition with community leaders, policymakers and other community organizations to ensure that voices of the community are heard in the halls of power. Our impact is greater when we are locked arm in arm together. We’re proud to serve as a member of these coalitions:
AIDS United, California Hepatitis Alliance (CalHep), California HIV Alliance, Care4AllCA, Coalition on Human Needs, Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition, EndHepC SF, Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP), Harm Reduction Coalition, HIV/AIDS Provider Network (HAPN), Homeless Emergency Service Providers Association (HESPA), Human Services Network, Medicaid Coalition, National AIDS Housing Coalition, National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, National Coalition on LGBT Health, National Coalition on Low Income Housing, Our City Our Home Coalition, San Francisco HIV Frontline Organizers Network (SF HIV FOG), SAVE for All Campaign, The Food is Medicine Coalition, and Yes to SCS California.