San Franciscans living with HIV and AIDS will lose services in October when a center closes its doors after more than 30 years of service.
New Leaf–an AIDS, mental health, and substance abuse center–will close on Oct. 15 after serving San Francisco’s gay community for 35 years.
“The harsh economics of today’s climate have been too much for us to overcome,” said Thom Lynch, the center’s interim executive director.
New Leaf has faced increasing costs for more than two years, which has made it financially impossible to continue operating the center, officials said.
“We’ve long admired New Leaf for its impressive track record of providing important services to the local LGBT community, and we’re saddened by the news,” said Bob Rybicki, a vice president at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Several organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities will expand their services to help clients who are losing their services at New Leaf.
The Lyon Marin Health center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation will step in to help mental health and substance abuse cases. HIV and AIDS patients will be referred to the AIDS Health Project.
