Wingspan's board of directors issued an update this week on the LGBT community center's programs move to the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation:

The board of directors for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) unanimously voted Tuesday evening to move forward with plans to acquire Wingspan, Tucson's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community center, and its programs. The SAAF Board has agreed to immediately take on and continue 2 of Wingspan's most vital programs, the Anti-Violence Project and Eon Youth Lounge. These 2 programs and associated staff will move to SAAF this Friday August 1.

SAAF Board President Miguel Cruz stated, "This is an incredible opportunity to enhance SAAF's already strong programs while maintaining Wingspan's vital & critical community outreach. Simply put, the SAAF Board of Directors could not imagine a community without these programs and our vote to continue Wingspan's work is well-aligned with SAAF's mission of creating and sustaining a healthier community."

Over the next several months, staff from SAAF and the Wingspan board of directors will work together to ensure a smooth transition and begin planning for the long term success & revitalization of Wingspan. SAAF Executive Director Wendell Hicks says, "We recognize and respect Wingspan's brand and reputation in the community. Our hope is to maintain and grow that brand. There is no doubt that the LGBT landscape is constantly changing and we at SAAF feel that there is still an important role for an LGBT center to play in the community. We're excited to continue the amazing work Wingspan has been doing over the past 26 years."

The annual Wingspan Dinner, originally scheduled for Saturday September 13, will be moved to spring 2015 and details of the event will be forthcoming.

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

Wingspan's mission is to promote the freedom, equality, safety and well-being of LGBT people.