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Welcome to the February issue of The Wellness Corner - the e-newsletter for our community of advocates and enthusiasts - from Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center.
In this issue, we make a last call for Artopia Cover Art; celebrate the opening of our new pharmacy; save some dates for our upcoming events; celebrate a huge opportunity to do more with housing for those in need; prepare for some upcoming awareness days; spread the word about our wish list; honor the January and February Champions of Care; continue the celebration of our 40th Anniversary; and share other ways you can support our mission.
Every day, Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide essential assistance and quality health care to those we serve in the Tallahassee and Big Bend area (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties). Our services include free HIV and STD testing, primary health care, dental care, lab work, sexual health education, courtesy transportation services, home-delivered meals, co-pay assistance for medications, and case management services.
These services wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, support, and contributions. To you reading this newsletter- thank you for helping us provide health care and much more to those in need - we appreciate you!
Thank you for reading!
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Amy Thorn
Board President
Big Bend Cares
Care Point Health & Wellness Center
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| | | Artopia 2026 Call for Cover Art | |
The deadline for Artopia 2026 Cover Art has been extended through to TODAY!
We've already received some great submissions, and with enough interest, we wanted to extend and give some others the chance to get their work in.
We're also trying a theme this year! It's not required, but you can check out our inspo board here:
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To submit work, please email a high-resolution photo of each piece to lgallo@bigbendcares.org by Friday, February 6th, 2026.
Guidelines:
- Any medium
- Multiple pieces can be submitted
- Recommend canvasses have a minimum 2' length and height measurement
- Recommend avoiding solid black next to solid white; can make logo visibility difficult
- Original artwork (we accept prints as donations for auction otherwise); digital art or photography will need to be physically produced by auction
- Include basic details on medium, dimensions, and title
- If selected, Cover Art will be included in auction; other submissions are not assumed as donations
| Deadline for submissions: Friday, February 6th, 2026 (today) |
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Save the Date: AIDS Walk 2026
Saturday, April 4th, 2026 at Cascades Park
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Save the Date: Artopia 2026
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at Goodwood Museum & Gardens
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| Big Bend Cares Receives Day 1 Families Fund | |
Big Bend Cares to Expand Support for Tallahassee Families Experiencing Homelessness with $5 Million Grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos
32 organizations across the U.S. receive a total of $102.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to connect families with housing and hope
Big Bend Cares, a nonprofit celebrating 40 years of providing health care, housing and supportive services throughout the Big Bend, announced that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are recognizing the organization with a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This investment is the largest private gift in the nonprofit’s history. Big Bend Cares is part of the eighth annual cohort of organizations across the country receiving funding from the Day 1 Families Fund to deepen their work to help every family have a safe, stable place to call home.
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| National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day | | | February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black people account for 37% of estimated HIV infections, even though they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. NBHAAD helps to raise awareness of HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in communities of color. |
|  | February 28 is HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day. HIV-specific laws are outdated, they punish people living with HIV and they disproportionately impact Black, Latino, and LGBTQ people and individuals who engage in sex work. This awareness day aims to educate people about HIV criminalization laws in the country and amplify the work of those trying to reform them. |
| | National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day | | | March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Women are less likely to be screened for HIV, in part because of the perception that they are not at risk. This awareness day emphasizes the need for further prevention efforts aimed at women and girls and promotes equity in HIV care and treatment. |
| | March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Celebrated at the beginning of spring, this day aims to combat HIV-related stigma in Indigenous communities. It also encourages American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to get tested and promote awareness of HIV in their communities. |
| | Help Our Patients and Clients! | | |
Client Services has started up a new system to try to secure donated basic needs items for unsheltered, unhoused, and/or very low income folks we see and serve, especially for things that need to be NEW when offered (underwear, hygiene, etc.). We can also do limited requests for used items such as coats and blankets.
This Amazon wish list was informed by a list developed over the last few years, but it’s always good to get fresh input. Please have a look at the list by clicking the button below and let us know if you have additional suggestions.
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| January and February Champions of Care | | We are excited to announce our Champions of Care honorees who were recognized on January 7th and on February 4th for exemplifying compassion, collaboration, and commitment to our mission: | | Anton Bowman, Transportation/Food Bag Coordinator | | Stephanie Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer | | Denise Rodriguez, Case Manager | | Jonathan Horton, Receptionist | | |
This is our monthly peer recognition program where every month, where we spotlight 1-2 team members who are the unsung heroes of our work, and help us thrive as an organization.
Join us in congratulating our January and February honorees, Anton, Stephanie, Denise, and Jonathan!
| | Celebrate Big Bend Cares’ 40th Anniversary with us! | | |
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For 40 years, we’ve walked alongside thousands of people on their journey to wellness. To honor this milestone, we’re sharing 40 stories—from clients, staff, volunteers, and partners—who’ve helped shape our mission of advancing HIV services and sexual health for all.
Stay tuned for info on our upcoming Open House!
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| Help Us Reach $40,000 for Our 40th Year | | Join our Givers Every Month (GEM) Club at a $40/month level, or raise your current membership by $5/month, and receive a limited run 40th Anniversary t-shirt! | | Givers Every Month (GEM) Club | | |
Last year, over 3,730 no cost food bags were given to our clients in Tallahassee and the Big Bend facing food insecurity because of our GEM Club members.
And GEM Club members make it possible for us to provide FREE comprehensive health care to our uninsured patients, with no sliding fee scale.
What is a GEM Club member?
It’s you and me - neighbors helping neighbors. GEM (Givers Every Month) Club members donate monthly and 100% of their gifts go towards food and health care for our neighbors in need. Want to become a GEM Club member and help us serve others? Click the button below:
| | Take a Tour of Care Point Today! | | |
Ever wonder what happens beyond the closed doors of Care Point?
Sign up for a guided tour today and witness a behind-the-scenes view of “the 27,000 square feet of awesomeness!” including the 10 patient exam rooms, lab, x-ray facility, and dental wing.
For details and to reserve a space on the next tour, please email lgallo@bigbendcares.org
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We hope you enjoyed the February 2026 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email ssmallwood@bigbendcares.org or call (850) 656-2437 ext. 224. |
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Big Bend Cares, Inc. / Care Point Health & Wellness Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), federal tax-exempt organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible.
FEIN: 59-2816580
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