Tucson - The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) remains committed to serving as the southern Arizona leader in providing non-clinical services and programs to anyone living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS in southern Arizona.  With this guiding mission, SAAF has been working on restructuring parts of the organization to adjust to the constantly changing landscape of funding and budgeting to cover indirect costs which provide stability and support to programs and services.

Changes need to be made to meet the emerging trends in philanthropy and in public sector funding.  Most immediately, changes in the Administrative Departments like Development, the Executive Director’s Office are the first who will be making cuts to their budgets.  Some of these cuts include reductions in staff hours, elimination of one position (Administrative Assistant), reduction in support expenses, and re-organizing processes and systems so that the changes in staffing cuts can be realistically managed.    

“We expect that these changes and cuts will be difficult and we are realistic that they may not be the first time we have to reorganize”, says Wendell Hicks, “but this is a good start to helping SAAF get through this fiscal year and beyond.  Like many of you, we have had to reprioritize not only what we can do, but also how we do it amidst the challenges of this worldwide recession.  For those who may ask could these cuts have been made earlier, I share that these cuts are not being made to streamline administrative processes and effectiveness but because of the reality that SAAF will have a budget shortfall by the end of the fiscal year if we do not make changes.  I believe these changes will position SAAF to serve the community best during these very different times that may be with us for awhile.  These changes will also allow the community’s investment to remain focused on supporting programming and services that are critical to a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.” 

Just this last fall, SAAF announced a suspension in the Complementary Therapies program.  It was the first time in our history suspending this alternative medicine program.  Although we have secured funding to reopen the program, thanks to a private gift from a private family foundation, changes to current programs and services are not being affected.  Should that change, SAAF will communicate those changes immediately to the community.

SAAF serves more than 1,000 individuals annually through services like food programs, medications assistance, housing, transportation, case management, support groups, emergency funds and much more.  In addition, more than 19,000 youth and adults benefit from prevention education, outreach or intervention each year through any of SAAF’s seven targeted prevention programs, HIV testing initiatives, or general community education workshops. 

To learn more about how you can support the important work of SAAF or to make a gift today in support of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, please donate online at www.saaf.org.  You can also call 520-628-7223 and speak with Michele.  Donations today help meet tomorrow’s challenges for someone you may or may never know, either way it makes a difference.  Please continue to give.

SAAF’s mission is to create and sustain a healthier community through a compassionate, comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.