
The Alamo Area Resource Center (AARC) was founded in 1990 to assist in meeting the needs of individuals who are homeless, disabled or facing life challenging illnesses, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS in Bexar County and surrounding areas.
Today, AARC serves as one of the primary social service organizations in Bexar County and the surrounding area by providing and coordinating services to eligible individuals. We promote compassionate, non-judgmental care and support.
AARC is now located at 303 North Frio and provides integrated clinical and social and prevention services to over 6,000 unduplicated individuals annually.
Utilizing the John Hopkins model of HIV Care, an integrated approach to treatment has proven effective due to the complexity of the patient population which is especially vulnerable to drop out from either social services care, medical treatment or both. To this end, a “single point of care” model was developed to maintain treatment engagement. The AARC wrap-around care model includes medical providers, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health counselors, housing specialists, and supportive services on-site.
AARC is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt agency. Services are confidential and free of charge. All services are provided without regard to race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
AARC is funded by grants from public entities and foundations and also by donations from individuals and corporations. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
AARC serves as an advocate and training center for health care professionals serving those most in need, and hopes to enhance educational programs to demonstrate how the involvement of young professionals can change the health care landscape of the San Antonio community.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural competency is at the core of AARC service delivery model. AARC offers staff cultural competence training annually to build knowledge, skills, and increase capacity to improve working relationships with historically marginalized populations. AARC is committed to providing health affirming care to our diverse client population. AARC staff not only reflects the community that we serve, but also offers specific cultural sensitivity training with population of focus at the center, such as: LGBT population, gender non- binary /non- conforming, people of color, people with disabilities, among others.
• LGBT Fellowship: AARC is pleased to announce three university student fellowships at its newly opened LGBT Health Equity Clinic. These fellowships will be awarded to students pursuing degrees in the field of nursing, medicine and social work. With these fellowships, AARC seeks to encourage and support those hoping to serve others in their respective professions, while investing in students who are proven leaders in their academic achievements. AARC Health Equity Fellowships will provide $5000 to three university students per semester to work on-site at the clinic alongside skilled professionals.
Social Services provided by AARC include:
- Case Management: Medical and Non-medical case management help individuals living with HIV/AIDS become self–sufficient and virally suppressed. Case managers utilize assessments, care coordination, advocacy for options and services to meet client’s comprehensive health needs.
- Referrals to community resources
- Medication and medical adherence
- Linkage to medical care
- Assist with obtaining HIV medication
- Assist with applications for medical benefits
- Client-centered services
- Health Insurance: The Health Insurance Premium–Aids Pharmaceutical Assistance (HIPCSA) program is intended to help HIV positive individuals continue medical care without gaps in health insurance coverage or disruption of treatment. This includes premium payments, office visit/lab co-payments, deductibles and medication co-pays. Funds are NOT available for co-payments associated with hospitalization and/or emergency room care.
- Housing Services: Alamo Area Resource Center maintains an affordable housing data base and provides housing referral and placement services. AARC also provides HOPWA Short Term Rental, Mortgage, Utility assistance (STRMU), Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) and housing case management for those who qualify.
- Patient Navigation: Patient navigation is a process by which an individual—a patient navigator—guides patients with HIV through and around barriers in the complex care system to help ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Outreach Services: Outreach Services is the identification of people with unknown HIV disease, as well as those who know their status but are out-of-care. For help receiving or returning to care contact 210-204-5964.
- Thrive Early Intervention: Assists individuals recently diagnosed with HIV or those with HIV who have not yet established a regimen of regular medical care.
- Transportation: AARC transportation offers a shared-ride service for consumers that because of their disability are unable to access the public transit system. The purpose is to transport our clients to and from their medical appointments. If an AARC shuttle van is not available, we may transport you in a contracted vehicle, such as a taxi. Hours and direct line: Mon-Fri: 8am–4:30pm; 210-625-7222
- Support Groups: Alamo Area Resource Center (AARC) offers and provides space for a variety of different types of discussion, harm reduction, therapy, support and Healthy Relationship groups. Some are presented by AARC, while others are peer-led, organized, and presented by groups or entities not affiliated with AARC. Groups are free to attend and RSVP is not necessary unless stated otherwise. For information about each group and/or to learn about attendance guidelines, restrictions or requirements, contact our Behavioral Health Department at 210-591-0216
During your first visit with us, you will be meeting with our Intake Specialist who will collect all the eligibility documents as well as our agency documents in order to be eligible for services. You can expect to spend about 30-50 minutes with the Intake Specialist.
Be prepared to bring:
- Proof of positivity
- Proof of income
- Proof of residency
- Picture I.D