Black Coalition on AIDS to Host Open House

The Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA) will open its doors to the public today in San Francisco. David Wallace, communications director for the agency, noted that the open house celebration will allow community members to see the agency's new South of Market location and learn more about the programs and services provided in a continuing effort to stop the spread of AIDS in the black community.

The co-sponsor of the open house is Arise magazine, a monthly publication dedicated to the lives of diverse people of African descent. Now in its 15th year of service, BCA's focus is expanding to address social factors that contribute to the spread of HIV in the black community. "Factors such as homelessness, violence, homophobia, and other issues must be addressed in our community in order to more effectively deal with this epidemic," said Duane T. Poe, BCA's executive director.

Pointing to new collaborations with the San Francisco Sheriff's Department to work with prisoners, and to a grant from the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, Poe said he feels these new areas of focus will be successful. The grant from the commission will address how violence against women and girls contributes to HIV/AIDS transmission. The event is free and open to the public today, 3-7 p.m., at 495 Clementina St., San Francisco. For more information, call 415-615-9945.

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