Hope Action Care is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, community-based organization. Established in May 1987, HAC has been funded by the United States Conference of Mayors, the Texas Department of Health, the Office of Minority Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the Levi Strauss Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the Enterprise Foundation, the USAA Federal Savings Bank, Bank One, Grande Communications / Grande Community Chest, and many other generous corporations, businesses and private donors.

In the years that followed, here are some of the accomplishments of which we are most proud:

In July 1987, HAC, in cooperation with the National University of Mexico and local Univision television station KWEX, recorded and aired in the major Hispanic cities of the United States the first public service announcements in Spanish about HIV. Noted Mexican Actor Gonzalo Vega taped 5 public service announcements for HAC in San Antonio.

In 1988, in recognition of the public service announcements and a series of cable television programs about HIV in Spanish, HAC was awarded the 1988 Texas Community Health Promotion Award by the Texas Department of Health.

In October 1988, HAC sponsored the First Annual Procession of Hope. This was a candle-light procession from the Alamo through downtown San Antonio to San Fernando Cathedral. At the church, a multi-faith prayer service was held for those persons and their families who had been affected by HIV.

In 1989, HAC co-founder Jesus M. Sanchez was appointed to the Center for Disease Control AIDS Prevention Advisory Committee by Otis Bowen, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

In 1989, HAC began a program for home education about HIV for Hispanic families in housing projects and low-income neighborhoods. This program was selected as a model program by the Office of Minority Health.

In 1989, HAC became one of the first organizations to offer HIV education and risk prevention in detention facilities.

In 1990, HAC opened the first food pantry in San Antonio for HIV+ persons and their families.

In 1992, HAC opened the first transitional housing and emergency shelter in South Texas for homeless HIV+ persons.

In 1994, HAC began to offer shelter, mental health counseling, and substance abuse education to homeless HIV+ persons with double and triple diagnoses.

In 1997, HAC was certified as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHODO) to provide affordable housing to HIV+ and other low-income persons.

In 2000, HAC purchased the Broadway Heights Apartment Complex. Of the 101 units, 34 have been set-aside as affordable living units for low-income and very low-income persons.

In 2002, HAC, in cooperation with the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Center for Health Care Services, and the Patrician Movement received funding from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide outreach, education, HIV testing, detox, treatment, psychological services, and methadone maintenance for injecting drug users in Bexar County.

In 2003, HAC signed a contract with the Bexar County Detention Facility to provide HIV education and risk prevention in the facility. Inmates who volunteer are provided with HIV testing and counseling. Persons who are found to be HIV+ are referred to early intervention health services, Prevention Case Management, and continued counseling and education.

On December 1, 2005, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson cut the ribbon to formally dedicate Peery Plaza, a four-unit apartment complex to provide affordable housing to HIV+ and other disabled persons.