Southwest Center

We provide affirming and inclusive services to promote well-being and advance health equity for diverse communities and all those seeking compassionate care - especially people of color, LGBTQIA2S+ and Queer individuals, and those affected by HIV. 

HISTORY

In 1990, Kirk Baxter called together friends to open Phoenix Body Positive supporting individuals living with HIV through peer-based support, holistic care, and clinical trials which ultimately helped bring 32 HIV medications to the market. The organization evolved to become the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, and opened at our current location, The Parsons Center for Health and Wellness, on November 1, 2013.

THE SOUTHWEST CENTER TODAY

Today, the Southwest Center is Arizona's home for affordable, quality, and culturally-responsive healthcare for all, building upon our 32-year history of HIV prevention and care. We are a community leader in offering barrier-free access to affirming and inclusive services that treat the whole person, collaborating with organizations across the state. This ensures that everyone has a just and equitable opportunity to achieve good health and wellness.

OUR CLIENTS

The Southwest Center serves those who need us the most: eighty percent are low-income, half live at or below the federal poverty level and a third have experienced homelessness. More than half of our clients are people of color. While most live in Maricopa County, we see many individuals from across Arizona who cannot find culturally-responsive care in their own community. 

OUR VISION

 We envision a just and equitable world where who we are is embraced in all spaces - especially in barrier-free access to health and wellness - leading each of us to live a full, rich, and authentic life. 

OUR VALUES

-We Are Person-Centered
-We Integrate Intersectionality In Our Care
-We Will Act With Integrity
-We Are Committed to Wellness
-We Incorporate Humility Into Our Services
-Our Innovation In Leadership Is Inspired By Listening To Those We Serve
-We are Collaborative and Community Focused

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

-Free HIV and STI testing
-HIV/STI treatment and care
-Primary Care
-PrEP/PEP
-Gender-affirming care, hormone therapy, and navigation services
-Free to low-cost reproductive health/family planning services
-Free condoms at our onsite Condom Bars and at NicePackage.org
-Psychiatric Medicine
-Counseling with Licensed Clinical Therapists: individuals, couples, families, groups, EMDR
-Case management
-Nutrition services and Vitamin Shop
-Outreach and Community Engagement programs