|
Press Release Regarding New Leaf's Closing
New Leaf: Services For Our Community is the nonprofit multi-purpose counseling center for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. We prioritize services to middle and low-income individuals and families who cannot afford private therapy or support services. Fees are set on a sliding scale based on income, and some services are free. Many of our programs also accept Medi-Cal, private and group insurance. New Leaf is the only comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and social support organization in San Francisco specifically for the LGBT communities.
August 24, 2010 Contact: Yvette De Andreis (415) 255-0381 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it New Leaf: Services For Our Community Closes after 35 Years SAN FRANCISCO ----- New Leaf: Services For Our Community announced today that it is taking steps to transition services and close its doors after 35 years. Increasing expenses, decreasing revenue and the worst economic environment in more than 70 years makes it impossible for the mental health and substance abuse treatment provider to continue serving its clients. The agency regularly sees approximately 1,300 clients a year and provides over 23,000 treatment sessions each year. New Leaf's leadership team is working closely with the City of San Francisco and sister LGBT agencies to ensure that the needs of these clients will continue to be addressed. New Leaf began as two separate agencies in 1975. Those agencies, Operation Concern and 18th Street Services, were merged in 1995 to form the present non-profit. Programs developed by New Leaf and its predecessors forged new models for the treatment of mental health clients among the LGBT community. At that time, it was difficult for gay men and lesbians to find affirming treatment that respected their lives and loves. The American Psychiatric Association had only recently removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders when these agencies opened in 1975. Despite New Leaf's many years of successful service and its admirable standing in the community, the agency cannot continue to sustain its services in the face of severe financial reversals, and will close its doors in September of this year. "We are profoundly saddened by this loss," said Interim Director Thom Lynch, "but the economic forces we are facing were just too much for us to overcome." "Still our legacy will continue and thrive. We've trained hundreds of clinicians throughout the Bay Area over the years. We've developed an understanding that our community's needs are unique and require services specifically tailored to meet those needs. We are working closely with the city to ensure that culturally competent LGBT services will continue to be provided by agencies ready to pick up where we are leaving off," he added. The decision was made after months of intense work by the board of directors and the agency management, who weighed carefully how New Leaf's clients could best be served. In order to consider all factors and perspectives, a committee of key community stakeholders met for 3 months earlier this year; eight focus groups were conducted with donors, staff, volunteers, and program participants; and an online survey was distributed to the broader community. This work resulted in vital feedback which was factored into the board's ultimate decision to transition services. In keeping with New Leaf's commitment to its clients, the agency's clinicians will work closely with a transition team of therapists provided by the city to place clients into appropriate treatment programs. This team will take the time needed to meet with clients and plan together what those options will best serve the client. Wherever possible, New Leaf will work to maintain the client-therapist relationships. The agency's award-winning clinical training program will be transferred to AIDS Health Project in San Francisco. The decision to close New Leaf was made by the Board of Directors at a special meeting held on August 15, 2010. "Over the past 35 years, New Leaf has pioneered and innovated in the arena of clinically excellent services for the LGBT community. We are proud of our long-standing commitment to offering accessible, affordable, and culturally competent services to those who have needed us most; especially people with HIV, seniors, youth, and low-income individuals. This legacy will carry on for decades to come through the dedicated interns we've trained, the outstanding clinicians with whom we've served, and the increasingly healthy and connected LGBT community we've helped along the way," said Board President Christopher Berini. The agency is still accepting donations to help cover the administrative costs of closing as well as maintaining services for existing clients who will be transitioning. Donations can be made at www.newleafservices.org. Thirty-Five Years of Service
|
New Leaf Services on Facebook
Click here to join New Leaf: Services for our Community on Facebook.
Having trouble viewing our site? Download the latest versions of Internet Explorer & Mozilla Firefox.
Having trouble viewing our site? Download the latest versions of Internet Explorer & Mozilla Firefox.
Dine at Tangerine
Dine at Tangerine Restaurant and 15% of your check will be donated to New Leaf:
Services for Our Community.
Ongoing: First Wednesday of each month
Click here to make a reservation now.