SAAF's COVID-19 Response

SAAF continues to work with local, state, and federal partners to monitor the presence of COVID-19 coronavirus and recommended responses to prevent its spread.

SAAF is responding with a plan to meet the needs of the people we serve, while protecting the health of our clients and participants, our staff and volunteers, and the community as a whole. This is our highest priority.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO SAAF'S
OPERATIONS AND SERVICES
 
General:
  • SAAF clients and participants are being encouraged to stay home as much as possible and to only come to SAAF if absolutely necessary. To honor social distancing, we are asking all visitors not to linger at SAAF's locations once they have received services.
  • Anyone who is experiencing any of the following symptoms should avoid coming to SAAF: fever, cough, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
  • Anyone at heightened risk for COVID-19 because they are an older adult, have recently traveled, or have heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease should avoid coming to SAAF.
  • If you have any of these symptoms or feel like you may have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 coronavirus, please contact your primary care provider.  If you do not have or are unable to see a primary care provider, call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-844-542-8201.
  • A reminder that all of SAAF will be closed on March 23rd in observance of the César Chávez/Dolores Huerta Holiday.
Client Care and Support Services:
  • All client communication and meetings with Case Managers and Housing Case Managers will now be conducted over the phone and through email. This includes 90-day, half-birthday, and full-birthday assessments. If necessary, Case Managers will mail and/or drop off documents and items to individual clients and will provide means for clients to mail necessary documents back to SAAF.
  • The Food For Life Program will continue to make and deliver meals for clients at the regularly scheduled times. The Pantry will remain open and the monthly Harvest will be available. All clients should contact their Case Managers and/or the main SAAF line at 520-628-7223 to coordinate delivery of Pantry and Harvest food items. Clients are being asked to leave their coolers outside their doors for doorstep delivery.
  • Both the Socialization Group and Coping Skills Group meetings are suspended. SAAF's psychosocial support staff will continue to offer support to individual clients over the phone.
  • Shower services at the Euclid Office are suspended.
Prevention, Education, and Testing:
  • All school-based activities have been suspended pending the reopening of public and charter schools.
  • All Community Education outreach, tabling, and presentations are suspended.
  • The Syringe Access Program (SAP) remains open and will operate normal hours every Monday and Wednesday between 4:00-7:00pm. All currently active SAP clients will have access to increased limits on the distribution of syringes to reduce the number of times clients need to visit the drop-in center. SAP clients may have a family member of friend utilize the Syringe Access Program on their behalf, if necessary.
  • HIV and Hepatitis C testing will continue by appointment only. Testing appointments must be scheduled by calling 520-628-7223 and are available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8:30am-2:30pm and every Tuesday and Thursday between 1:00pm-7:00pm. Anyone calling to make an appointment for HIV/Hepatitis C testing will be screened for symptoms closely associated with COVID-19. At-home testing is available by visiting gettestedaz.org.
  • The PrEP and PEP Program will continue assisting with navigation by phone and by email. The PrEP and PEP Team is working with medical providers to assess their capacity to accept referrals during this time. Please contact a PrEP/PEP Navigator at prep.pep@saaf.org for more information.
Eon and the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th (TLC4):
  • All programming at the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th is being suspended, with the exception of the Homeless Youth Project (HYP). HYP will be available Monday through Friday from 3:00-5:00pm. Qualifying youth will be able to drop in to access food, clothing, bus passes, safer sex materials, and hygiene products. 15-minute showers will be available, but laundry services are suspended.
  • TLC4 staff will be available by phone or text Monday through Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm to be a listening ear and/or to connect youth to available resources at 520-561-2367.
  • In the coming weeks, Eon staff hope to implement virtual programming. Stay up-to-date through Facebook (@eonyouth) and Instagram (@eon_lounge).
Community and Volunteer Events:
  • SAAF's Annual Jell-O Wrestling Event scheduled for April 18th has been canceled. but we are moving forward with ticket sales for the grand prize raffle, which can be purchased HERE.
  • SAAF's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner scheduled for March 30th has been postponed until further notice.
  • Group volunteer activities, including Walk In Wednesday and Volunteer Orientation, are suspended.
  • Please reach out to Travis Craddock at tcraddock@saaf.org with any questions or concerns.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
 
Make a gift:
  • Financial contributions are greatly appreciated at this time.
  • Gifts made online will receive instant acknowledgment through an email receipt that you can use for tax purposes. You can make your secure, online gift HERE.
  • Gifts can also be made by mail to SAAF at 375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. Gifts received through mail may incur a slight delay in being processed and acknowledged. Thank you for your patience.
Donate in-kind:
  • Below is a list of some food items and hygiene products that are needed to continue supporting clients and participants.
  • Any donations can be brought or mailed to the main SAAF office at 375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 between 10:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday.
o   Hygiene and toiletry products
o   Bleach and other disinfectants
o   Hand sanitizer and hand/body soap
o   New underwear and socks of all sizes
o   Canned food, meats, and soups (easy-open tops preferred)
o   Pasta and pasta sauces
o   Instant ramen, macaroni and cheese, and cup of noodle
o   Instant rice
o   Peanut butter
o   Fruit cups
o   Granola bars
o   Protein bars
o   Popcorn and chips
o   Baby wipes
o   Baby formula
o   Diapers of all sizes
o   Baby bottles
o   Gatorade and other sports drinks
o   Bottled water
o   Gift cards (Walmart, Target, Grocery Stores)

Sign up for a volunteer shift:
  • SAAF is in need of volunteers to assist with daily operations - e.g. answering phones or delivering meals. Please contact Chinna Garza at cgarza@saaf.org to learn more.
All changes mentioned above are effective immediately through April 30th . At that point, SAAF will reassess and take action to continue ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of all those seeking and providing SAAF's critical services.

If you have questions or concerns, please give us a call at 520-628-7223 or send us an email at info@saaf.org. We appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time.

Be well,

Patti Caldwell
Interim Executive Director
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation

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