The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has announced plans to open a full-service pharmacy at Strut, its health and wellness center at 470 Castro Street in the LGBTQ neighborhood. According to a news release, the pharmacy is expected to open in the first half of this year.
The pharmacy will be led by an American Academy of HIV Medicine certified pharmacist and will focus on serving the HIV, PrEP, sexually transmitted infection, and sexual health care medication needs of SFAF clients. It will also be able to fill prescriptions for other conditions as well, the release stated.
The pharmacy will allow SFAF to expand its popular PrEP program, which is currently operating at maximum capacity, the nonprofit noted. On-site pharmacists will be able to prescribe and dispense same-day PrEP to new clients, and then refer clients to Magnet, the foundation's sexual health clinic, for longer-term PrEP and sexual health care. The pharmacy will also offer an on-site injection clinic, which will allow SFAF pharmacists to provide long-acting injectable PrEP, according to the release. (Currently, some SFAF clients accessing long-acting injectable PrEP must go to an off-site infusion center for quarterly injections.)
"Operating a pharmacy alongside our HIV and sexual health care clinic will allow us to deliver more coordinated and comprehensive care to our Magnet clinic clients, which we anticipate will bring better clinical outcomes to clients," stated Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D., a gay Black man who's living with HIV and is the AIDS foundation's CEO. "Our pharmacists, health care providers, and benefits navigation staff will be able to work together to assist clients in all aspects of medication management and adherence, and the pharmacy will help SFAF sustain our work."
Dr. Scott Hyman, SFAF's medical director, stated that the pharmacy will have other benefits as new drugs are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
"With the anticipated approval of a new long-acting injection for PrEP this year, delivered only twice per year, we are eager to be able to expand our PrEP services in this area," he stated. "Being able to offer injectable PrEP at the same location as our clinic will be a time-saver for clients and allow us to be able to offer this game-changing method of HIV prevention to many more community members."
The release noted that construction of the new pharmacy, which will be housed on the first floor of the three-story Strut center, began last month. Magnet remains open and operational during construction.
SF offers free tax preparation services
San Francisco Treasurer-Tax Collector José Cisneros, a gay man who recently won a historic sixth term to the municipal post, has announced that the city's free tax assistance program for low-income residents has launched.
The 2024 Free Tax Prep Campaign helps eligible residents file their taxes and claim valuable credits, including the Working Families Credit, marking its 20th year; Earned Income Tax Credit; and Child Tax credits, a news release stated.
Eligible residents can access thousands of dollars in refunds and credits through the program. With the average cost of professional tax preparation exceeding $200, the city's free tax services ensure that residents not only save on fees, but also maximize their financial benefits, the release noted.
"As we celebrate 20 years of the Working Families Credit, we are reminded that the most efficient and effective way to help struggling families is to put money directly into their hands," Cisneros stated. "Families know best how to address their own needs. By trusting families to make the right choice, we not only uplift individual households but also strengthen the financial resilience of our entire community."
The San Francisco Human Services Agency is collaborating on the program with Cisneros' office.
Residents can access free tax preparation through the April 15 filing deadline, the release stated. There are several documents they should bring with them, including income records for 2024 (W-2 and/or 1099 forms); Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN); valid photo ID; bank account information for direct deposit; and reportable expenses, such as child care costs.
SFHSA has two in-person tax sites, and encourages people to call ahead to make an appointment, or drop by Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. One is at 170 Otis Street (415-209-5143), the other is at 3120 Mission Street (415-487-3240). Residents can call the city's 211 line to find other free tax preparation locations, schedule an appointment, or access drop-off services, the release stated.
Due to high volume, some locations may be drop-off only and may not be able to complete the filing process on the same day, the release noted.
For more information, go to sfhsa.org/freetaxhelp.
National Rainbow College Fund opens scholarship application for LGBTQ+ students
National Rainbow College Fund announced the opening of its inaugural application cycle for the first scholarship designed to exclusively support California's LGBTQ+ students regardless of the public nature of their sexual identity.
A news release stated that NRCF will provide up to $500,000 in scholarship awards for 200 students with an award of $2,500 per selected student. The application period is now open and closes Wednesday, March 5. NRCF is powered by San Diego Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. and the largest provider of scholarships of any community foundation in California, the release stated.
"Our mission at National Rainbow College Fund is to lessen the financial burden for young people who identify as LGBTQ+ or who are grappling with the secrecy of remaining in the closet," stated Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation. "With that commitment in mind, we will make students' privacy the highest priority during the application process. Together, we will break barriers, transform lives, and build futures."
Scholarships may be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and other educational expenses, the release stated. It does not need to be repaid. To apply, a student who identifies as LGBTQ+, whether publicly or privately, must be a high school senior; an incoming or current college or university student; or an adult re-entry student.
Applicants must have lived in California for at least one year and demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the California DREAM Act application, or the Federal Student Aid Estimator Tool, according to the release. Students must plan to enroll in at least six units in an accredited public or nonprofit community college; four-year university; or trade/vocational school anywhere in the United States.
For full eligibility rules and to apply, go to rainbowcollegefund.org/apply.
To volunteer as a scholarship application reviewer, visit rainbowcollegefund.org/volunteer.
Bank launches program to support small businesses
Tri Counties Bank has announced the launch of the Small Business Empowerment Program, a special purpose credit program that provides flexible credit opportunities for minority, women, veteran, and LGBTQI+ owned small businesses in California, the financial institution stated in a news release.
"We developed this program to empower small business growth throughout California," stated Scott Robertson, head of community banking for Tri Counties Bank. "Our research determined that many small businesses have a historic need for an increased access to capital with flexible underwriting criteria."
Eligible small businesses must have revenue of $1 million or less, a physical business presence in California for at least 12 months, and do business primarily in Tri Counties Bank's 27-county footprint, the release stated. According to its website, Tri Counties Bank has locations in San Francisco, elsewhere in the Bay Area, and throughout California.
The program offers business credit cards, up to $25,000 credit limit; small business lines of credit, up to $50,000; and small business secured loans, up to $75,000.
For more information, go to tcbk.com.
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