MOMS New Castro Location Provides AIDS / HIV Service Organizations with Community Resource Center through unique partnership with Under One Roof
Supervisor Bevan Dufty to officiate at Ribbon Cutting
www.momspharmacy.com
www.underoneroof.org
24 March 2009 – San Francisco, CA Where would we be without our MOMS? In this case, a lot less empowered without the attention and services of the appropriately named MOMS Pharmacy (www.momspharmacy.com) which will provide much more than medications and motherly advice with its grand opening on March 31st. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District (4071 18th Street), the news MOMS Pharmacy has partnered with Under One Roof (www.underoneroof.org), the respected nonprofit retailer which raises funds for the benefit of AIDS/HIV charities, to open a new Community Resource Center which will include a “living room” for patients, a Community Resource Wall, a Client Advocate, and a Community Outreach Office – all these for the use of AIDS Service Organizations supported by Under One Roof. In addition, the new Center will house a “video wall” to broadcast informational videos created specifically for five local ASOs: Maitri, Project Inform, AIDS Nightline, AIDS Housing Alliance and Shanti. For all of these organizations it will be the first time they’ve had such access to fully-produced video Public Service Announcements. The public and community are invited to attend an open house from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday, March 31.
“This is the definition of a win win,” said Mark Burns, Executive Director of Under One Roof. “Through MOMS’ generosity this project not only is providing local AIDS service organizations with street level access in the Castro but is also creating greater awareness of the many specialized services available to people living with HIV/AIDS in our community. On a personal note, when I walked into the new space for the first time I had the feeling ‘this was built just for me and for people like me.’ In my 23 years as an HIV-positive man, I had never had that feeling walking in someplace. It was very powerful.”
“This collaboration brings us even closer to the heart of our community,” said Anthony Luna, Vice President of MOMS Pharmacy, noting that MOMS was formerly located at Davies Medical Center, just a few blocks north of its new location. “This is a unique collaboration between the for-profit and non-profit sectors. It is the very definition of the ‘San Francisco model’ of care for those with AIDS / HIV. It’s all about building and fostering relationships for the common good.”
Also on hand for the March 31st Grand Opening will be local businessman and Under One Roof Board Member Sam Sirhed.
“Sam is much more than our landlord, he’s a friend and an angel to the community,” said Burns. “It’s through Sam’s support that both Under One Roof and MOMS/the Under One Roof Community Resource Center are in the spaces they are.”
At a meeting prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Under One Roof will be making annual donations to its 27 AIDS service organizations.
MOMS Pharmacy specializes in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. For twenty years, MOMS has led the HIV/AIDS specialty pharmacy field, providing advanced treatment and compassionate care to patients. MOMS’s patient services include free delivery and customized medication packaging to promote medication adherence. MOMS Pharmacy is an Allion Healthcare Company with locations throughout the United States.
Under One Roof is a non-profit that helps fund 27 AIDS Service Organizations in the San Francisco/Bay Area through its retail store and special events. Together, these ASOs provide services to more than 10,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. Since 1990, Under One Roof has donated more than $4 million in unrestricted funds for organizations serving the HIV/AIDS community. The Under One Roof store is located at 518A Castro Street in San Francisco’s Castro District.
