FACE to FACE

ending HIV in Sonoma County

Face to Face: What We Do

Our mission is ending HIV in Sonoma County while supporting the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Since our beginning in 1983, Face to Face has addressed the ever-changing challenges presented by the HIV epidemic in Sonoma County.

To this end, we offer HIV prevention education and services to Sonoma County and we empower clients living with HIV with supportive services including housing assistance, benefits counseling, information, referrals, and transportation. We strengthen our community through outreach, education and HIV policy advocacy on a local and national level.

Learn How You Can Help

Services

We offer comprehensive support services to people living with HIV disease in Sonoma County. All our services are provided free of charge and are completely confidential.

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HIV Testing

Free, Confidential and Anonymous, rapid HIV testing offered at the Face to Face office.

PrEP

At Face to Face, we see the expanded use of PrEP as the highest priority in preventing new infections.

Syringe Services

SSPs are prevention programs based on harm reduction principles that provide a range of services.

Housing Services

Our evidence-based housing services help our most vulnerable clients secure safe, stable housing.

Prevention & Education

Our prevention and education program aims to reach those who are at highest risk of HIV infection.

Resources & Links

Our list of local resources and links will help you find HIV-related information and support services.

Facts About HIV

In the United States,

over 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the US
15% of those people do not know they are HIV-positive
38,500 people become newly infected with HIV
38% of these infections result from individuals who did not know they had HIV

Getting treated prevents the spread of HIV. When an individual with HIV is consistently engaged with antiretroviral therapy and routine medical care and the level of HIV in their body is undetectable, there is very little risk in transmitting the virus sexually.

Only 51% of people living with HIV in the US are virally suppressed. Engaging in medical care and staying in medical care is crucial for remaining undetectable and untransmittable.

Who is most impacted by HIV?

HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities and gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

According to the CDC, if current HIV diagnoses rates persist

1 in 2 black MSM
1 in 4 Latino MSM
1 in 11 white MSM will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime.
Teens and young adults (under 35) accounted for 56% of new HIV diagnoses in 2017 (those ages 13-24 accounted for 21% and those ages 25-34 accounted for 35%).
The prescription opioid and heroin epidemic has led to increased numbers of people who inject drugs, placing new populations at increased risk for HIV.

This is why prevention education and outreach are so important – so people know they may be at risk can access PrEP and other prevention services to stay that way.

HIV Negative? Great! Stay that way.

Get tested regularly. Face to Face offers free, anonymous, rapid oral testing with results in 20 minutes.
Keep up the condom use.
Check out PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). When taken daily, PrEP is over 90 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.

Our Goals

Finding those who do not know they have HIV.
Get them into lifesaving care, and virally supressed.
Educate everyone about the risks of getting HIV.
Promote regular testing and risk reduction.
Talk about HIV. Reduce fear and stigma.

The Longest-running Art Auction Dedicated to Ending HIV

Art for Life

September 21, 2019

What began in 1988 in response to the AIDS epidemic in Sonoma County has grown to a much-anticipated annual art event to benefit care services for the more than 500 men, women, and children living in Sonoma County with HIV and AIDS. We encourage everyone to experience this exemplary exhibit of local art, food, and wine.

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