The Black Coalition on AIDS
The mission of the Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA) is to stop the spread of HIV in the Black community through service, education and advocacy. BCA promotes collective, comprehensive and compassionate care for those infected with, and affected by the disease.
BCA was founded in 1986 by a group of community activists – gay and straight, men and women – who were compelled to respond to the rise of HIV in San Francisco’s Black community. During its twenty-year history, BCA has grown into a multi-service organization. BCA’s response to stopping the spread of HIV in the Black community of San Francisco remains focused on providing care, promoting responsibility and encouraging compassion.
BCA Services Provided Through
the Southeast Center for Health:
Living Now is an informational program by and for people living with HIV disease. As a member of Living Now, you’ll have access to the latest information and tools you need to live a longer and healthier life.
This is a community-driven, self-empowerment peer education program. As a member of the Living Now community, you’ll help make decisions about program content and structure.
Sessions are 10 weeks and are facilitated by an experienced health educator with frequent guest speakers including community leaders and community public health providers. Members of Living Now are encouraged to share their experiences in this safe and supportive environment.
You’ll also learn about:
- How to monitor and fight HIV in the body
- Preventing HIV/AIDS complications
- Mental health and HIV
- Complimentary and alternative therapies
- Nutrition for persons living with HIV
- Spirituality and HIV
- Life management skills
Where do I sign up?
Black Coalition on AIDS
2800 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107.
Enter on 24th and 3rd.
Please call BCA at (415) 615-9945 to speak to the coordinator or health educator
for an intake interview, or email (coehealtheducator@bcoa.org). You
must be HIV positive to participate in the Living Now group sessions. If
you are unsure about your HIV status, please contact BCA Health Services for
an HIV test.
The
Healing Circle of
Programs & Services at
the Health and Wellness Network of BCA:
Through the Healing Circle, you will receive:
- Emotional support, whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been living with AIDS for years
- Practical support (housing, food, legal issues, etc.)
- Assistance getting medical appointments and medications
- The latest information regarding HIV/AIDS, and health education
- Information on HIV/AIDS resources in the community
- Access to antiviral treatments
The life you have is valuable. The experiences you’ve had are valuable. Healing Circle is a place to share your experiences, to get support and to hear and help other people facing similar challenges.
Where do I sign up?
Black Coalition on AIDS
2800 Third Street, San Francisco,
CA 94107.
Enter on 24th and 3rd.
Please contact BCA Support Services at 415-615-9945
for an intake and a case manager will work directly with you to determine
the best Healing
Circle program. You don’t have to be HIV positive to
participate in some of the Healing Circle programs or to access
services.
Health Support (Care) Services
BCA provides culturally competent Health Support Services designed
to help clients manage chronic health conditions, especially HIV/AIDS.
Through Rafiki Housing services, BCA provides supportive housing
to homeless clients who are HIV positive. BCA also provides extensive
case management and health coaching services. In addition, BCA
links all clients to appropriate medical care and provides an array
of complimentary alternative medical services through the AACHIE collaborative.
Brothas Alive! - Brothas Alive! services include case management
and health coaching services to adult men who are sexually active. Support
groups for HIV positive and HIV negative men are available.
Circle of Care - Circle of Care offers group support services
for men and women who have HIV/AIDS.
Complimentary Alternative Medicine* - Message,
Chiropractic and Acupuncture services are provided, especially for those living
with chronic illness. Services are provided every first and third Thursday,
and by appointment.
Health Conductors* - The
Health Conductors network is a team of individuals committed to improving their
individual health through education and exercise.
Health Screening and Testing* - Health
Screen and Testing services include HIV testing, Blood Pressure Testing, Diabetes
Testing, Body Mass Index Evaluations and more.
Rafiki Housing - Supportive
transitional and long-term housing is available for homeless, HIV positive
individuals.
Sistahs Alive! - Sistahs
Alive! services include case management and health coaching services to adult
women who are sexually active. Support groups for HIV positive and HIV negative
women are available.
Spiritual Affirmation for Everyone* (SAFE) - The
SAFE Project offers spiritual support to everyone, especially those living
with life-threatening illnesses. SAFE Project volunteers meeting every first
Sunday. Spiritual support is also offered to those who are hospital-bound through
a network of church partnerships.
Health Education (Prevention) Programs
BCA provides culturally competent HIV Prevention and Health Education Programs
designed to increase health literacy and awareness in Black communities. BCA
conducts workshops, seminars and classes to raise awareness specifically about
HIV/AIDS. BCA also works with a coalition of community-based organizations
to address HIV and other health disparities affecting Black people. Through
the African American Coalition for Health Improvement
and Empowerment (AACHIE),
BCA conducts health forums and provides information about chronic health conditions
such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer and more.
Health Fairs - Health
Fairs are sponsored throughout the year, providing information about health
disparities affecting Black people.
Health Forums - Health
Forums and discussions about diseases that disproportionately affect Black
people and how to prevent or minimize illnesses are held monthly.
Healthy Relationships - Health
Relationships is a five-session workshop for sexually active men or women
who want to get information and learn practical skills about dating and intimacy
in wake of sexually transmitted diseases.
HIV 101 Workshops and Classes - Basic
information about HIV/AIDS disease and transmission is provided in small
group settings.
Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) - 3MV
is a six-session political and social health workshop for sexually active
Black gay men.
Safety Counts - Safety Counts is a three-session
workshop for sexually active men or women who use soft or hard drugs in their
sexual encounters.
* Services that are included as a part of the AACHIE
program.
BCA Services
Linked to the Southeast Center for
Health:
» Living Now
» Healing
Circle of
Programs and
Services
