About SFAF

We strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion of communities most impacted by HIV in our programs and across all levels of the organization. We are committed to recognizing, interrupting, and addressing oppression.

We recognize that all people have dignity and have the right to be respected; no one’s choices should be judged. We work to destigmatize sex, sexuality, gender identity and expression, substance use, and disability. We believe in consent and autonomy for all bodies. We encourage everyone to define their own needs and make their own choices, and support them to build self-efficacy.

We are bold and brave in our choice and promotion of new or controversial ideas that advance our mission through our services and programs. We are not afraid of failure and understand that learning from our experience always makes us stronger. Our work is often difficult, but we care for ourselves and each other so we can endure.

We advance public health best practices and contribute to the latest science in the field of public health. We work tirelessly to change laws and policies that inhibit the health and wellness of people living with or at risk for HIV. We lead with humility, collaborating and sharing ideas to both learn from others and support their growth.

We provide outstanding support for staff and highest quality services to clients, through integrated service models, continuous evaluation and improvement of programs, strong strategic partnerships, responsible stewardship of resources, and regular examination and enhancement of workplace culture and capacity.

We provide no-judgement sexual health services for people living with HIV; gay, bi and queer men; trans and gender non-binary people; people who inject drugs and their friends; and many other communities at risk for HIV. Community members can access health services through Strut, our clinic in the Castro, and at our main office. People who inject drugs can also receive HIV and STI testing at the 6th Street Center. Sexual health services include HIV and STI testing, STI treatment, trans health, anal health, hepatitis C services, vaccinations, PrEP and PEP.

Substance use is one of many factors impacting HIV risk, and people living with HIV who inject drugs have the lowest viral suppression rate of any transmission category. Our substance use and behavioral health services are based on principles of harm reduction, offering substance use counseling and substance use group support. We work in partnership with clients who use crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, alcohol and other drugs to help them create the goals that make sense in their lives.

Through The Stonewall Project, clients access outpatient substance use treatment services and walk-in group and individual counseling. At 6th Street Center and mobile sites, we serve people who inject drugs and people experiencing homelessness with HIV and hepatitis C prevention supplies, overdose prevention resources, connection to substance use treatment, and other health care services. We have a Syringe Pick Up Crew that cleans up improperly disposed syringes in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco.

A critical component of our work is ensuring people living with HIV have access to health care services, housing subsidies and public benefits. Through these services, we are helping people connect to HIV care and achieve viral suppression ensuring better health outcomes and preventing new infections.

Our housing & financial benefits team ensures that clients can access housing through rental subsidies for people living with HIV and coordinate access to other public benefits including drug assistance programs, health insurance and nutritional assistance. Our health navigation team helps people connect to HIV care and achieve and maintain viral suppression.

We cannot end the HIV epidemic in San Francisco until all communities have equal access to health care, housing subsidies, and social support.

Our teams provide social support, health education and individual advocacy services in safe and supportive spaces that center Black and Latine communities, transgender and gender non-binary people, and long-term HIV survivors over age 50. Our teams work across program areas to ensure that clients have access to our entire spectrum of services.

We champion evidence-based HIV and AIDS policy in San Francisco, California and in Washington D.C., fighting every day to protect the human rights of people at risk of and living with HIV. Our community mobilization team provides countless advocacy opportunities for community members to speak truth to power.

Our health education materials and online resources share information about HIV prevention and treatment, PrEP, substance use, harm reduction and more to millions of people world-wide. We continue to be a source of accurate information about HIV, PrEP, sexual health, and harm reduction.

Our teams also conduct and publish research related to public health, substance use and social support.