Despite its name, the San Francisco-based Black Coalition on AIDS — BCA — does not focus strictly on the black community; nor does it focus entirely on AIDS.
The majority of people who come through BCA’s doors are indeed blacks — or African Americans — and many do indeed have AIDS, but today the organization’s scope goes beyond that.
Located at 2800 Third St., BCA also works with other races, including Latinos and Caucasians. Its clients face a large number of chronic health conditions, including not only AIDS but diabetes, cancer, obesity, asthma and high blood pressure.
“We do more than HIV-AIDS, more than black people,” noted BCA Executive Director Perry Lang.
“The doors of BCA are welcome,” explained Luis Martinez, who serves on the BCA Board of Directors. “The faces coming through the door don’t look the same anymore. Everyone is walking through.”
People who have been diagnosed with AIDS and other chronic health conditions often do not know where to turn. They have a lot of questions and go through a wide range of emotions, including feeling sad, angry and scared. Fortunately, BCA is a place where these individuals can get the help they need — without worrying that they are going to be judged.
They have a place where they can come that is a safe haven to talk about their health issues, and there is a sense of community when they walk in the door. “They may not have the support network,” Martinez explained. “BCA provides that to them.”
Through BCA, people with AIDS and other chronic health conditions can meet other people who are in the same boat, so they do not need to feel they are alone. In 2011, more than 3,000 people came into BCA seeking services and activities, according to Martinez.
“We want them to know that we are a player, and we understand the issues they are dealing with,” explained Javarré Wilson, the director of programs for BCA. “We are strong advocates for them. We are a voice for those who are voiceless.” Wilson added, “We don’t see them as clients. We see them as family.”
BCA cannot release the names of those with whom the organization works due to confidentiality; however, one person spoke in a video on the BCA website that he believes everyone needs a big brother. “I don’t care how old you are, but you need a big brother, and that’s what BCA did for me, ‘cause I was always the big brother,” he said. “I am the oldest of 10 [children], but I needed somebody older than me. It took a long time to get to a big brother, but it happened.”
Through BCA’s Rafiki Wellness Program, people can receive screening services, enabling them to check their blood pressure and glucose level, as well as to learn their body mass index — BMI — which are considered by many medical practitioners to be indicators of general body health.
People can also participate in moderate exercise classes and nutrition classes that teach what foods are best to eat and how to cook them.
They can also take advantage of complementary alternative medicine — CAM — including massage, chiropractic, reflexology, light therapy, and acupuncture services provided especially for those living with chronic illness.
The Rafiki Wellness Program also provides health education workshops that cover such things as diabetes, AIDS and grief counseling workshops. Rafiki means “friend” in Swahili, and the idea is to be a friend in the black community, Lang emphasized.
“We realize many black people are dealing with disparities,” Lang said. “Our way is the wellness model. It helps people set goals.”
BCA has a Wellness Passport Program in which people are asked to focus on a health goal for 90 days. Research shows permanent change is more likely to occur if you are consistent throughout a 90-day period, Lang emphasized.
Those who participate in the Wellness Passport Program are provided with a health coach and receive points for their accomplishments. Once they earn a certain amount of points, they receive a $35 gift certificate or a gift card. BCA encourages them to use the money to get something to meet their health goals, such as for exercise equipment, Lang said.
BCA also holds a weekly drop-in support group called “Real Talk” for people to address challenges and identify solutions in a number of areas that include HIV, substance use, sex, relationships, isolation, health, grief, loss and other concerns.
“Real Talk” welcomes people from diverse racial, ethnic, sexual orientations and experiences. Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and breakfast is provided.
On the first Saturday of every month, BCA holds a “health party” in which it goes to neighborhoods that traditionally have high percentages of lower income ethnic groups, including Bayview Hunter’s Point, Portola Hill, Visitacion Valley, the Western Addition and Ocean Merced Ingleside. These health parties are held “so people can experience all aspects of wellness,” Lang explained. “It’s a wonderful thing. People enjoy it.”
BCA has also launched a new “It’s About You” health awareness and testing campaign for HIV and sexually transmitted infections — STIs. Targeted at various segments of the general population — including men, heterosexual women, faith-based communities and ethnic youth — the campaign advocates personal responsibility for one’s health. It also provides a resources list for getting tested and treated in San Francisco.
“We’re going down the path of wellness,” Lang explained. “We believe that is what we have to work on. That’s our charge.”
BCA also operates the Brandy Moore House, an 11-bed transitional facility in the Western Addition for people who are dealing with HIV/AIDS, homelessness, substance abuse, and/or mental health concerns. Residents typically stay 3–6 months and receive case management and referral services, and as needed emergency financial assistance, which is provided by a small grant.
The house is named in memory of co-founder William “Brandy” Moore, a staunch advocate for fair housing and HIV/AIDS prevention for San Francisco’s black community.
BCA partners with the African American Community Health Equity Council — AACHEC — an independent community body working in collaboration with the San Francisco Department of Public Health's African American Health Initiative. The mission of the council is to be a powerful advocate for health in San Francisco and to close the gap of negative health disparities affecting people of African descent by gathering and sharing health information and resources that promote effective health policies, community action and well being.
Additionally, BCA partners with African American Health Leadership Group, which is comprised of executive directors and senior health administrators charged with assessing the health status of African Americans in San Francisco and developing a health plan and response to those disparities.
BCA also partners with the Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief — CAEAR — coalition, whose mission is to advance effective care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS by providing training, technical assistance and research to organizations and communities.
And finally, BCA partners with the HIV Prevention Planning Council — HPPC — a group that guides HIV prevention in San Francisco, along with the San Francisco Department of Public Health — SFDPH. The membership of HPPC is comprised of representatives from local communities and government and reflects San Francisco’s diverse population.
The rewards of running BCA are a dedicated staff of about 15 persons and seeing people address health issues, Lang pointed out. Meanwhile, he said that the challenge is fundraising.
BCA — which has a budget of $1.3 million — receives funding from the government, individuals, corporations and foundations.
Launched in 1986, BCA is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. “There was no real organization specifically targeting and serving the African American community,” Martinez explained. “The focus then turned into AIDS awareness and prevention.”
More information about BCA can be found on the organization's website at
www.bcoa.org, sending an email to
bcoa@bcoa.org, or by calling 415.615.9945.
