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(Sharing 10/27/2025) Biweekly CHW Message: What Do Domestic Violence and Homelessness Have in Common?

  • Aug 7
  • 8 min read


What Do Domestic Violence and Homelessness Have in Common?


Among people experiencing homelessness in Bexar County, 1 out of every 6 is actively fleeing domestic violence, and 30% identify as survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a key cause of homelessness, and people in violent relationships often stay because they have nowhere else to go--the abuser has cut them off from financial resources, friends and family.

Troublingly, domestic violence is increasingly deadly, with related homicides in Bexar County rising from 24 deaths in 2021, to 27 in 2022, to 33 in 2023, according to the City/County Collaborative Commision on Domestic Violence. This October, for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here are some steps we can take:

  • Learn:

    • Oct. 22, 11 AM-1 PM: All six SAPD substations will have crisis advocates and officers on hand to provide resources to anyone concerned about domestic violence.

    • Oct. 26, noon-9 PM: Visit the domestic violence altar at Muertos Fest in Hemisfair Park for real-life stories of impact and for survivor support resources.

    • Oct. 27,10 AM-noon: The Rape Crisis Center will hold a highly interactive online workshop on stalking -- "Know It, Name It, Stop It." Register.

  • Know ways to help: Domestic Violence Resources | Homelessness Resource Guide | Homelink, our local Coordinated Entry System into homeless services

  • Go Purple: Wear purple, especially this Thursday, Oct. 16. Put purple bulbs in your outdoor lights. Decorate your porch purple. It all serves as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness. (If you use social media, share with #PurplePorchSA.)

Viral Infection Updates

Alerts

  • Precooked pasta meals sold at Walmart, Trader Joe's and other places were recalled as part of investigations into a multistate Listeria outbreak. So far, 19 hospitalizations (3 in Texas), 4 deaths and 1 fetal loss have been blamed on the outbreak. Facts about Listeria

Resource Navigation Tips of the Week

  • For Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

  • For local nonprofit and government workers affected by federal cuts: The San Antonio Area Foundation is funding Family Service to provide job training, case management and job placement services. See attached flyer.

  • If you know a Social Security or SSI recipient who is waiting on a paper check--the government switched to direct deposit and prepaid debit cards on Sept. 30. More info

Upcoming Events and Opportunities  

  • Metro Health's annual mass flu vaccine clinic will take place Oct. 22, 8 AM-2 PM, at the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, flyer attached. FREE!

  • Want to stay up-to-date on national CHW-related policy developments, advocacy opportunities, and resources? Sign up here for the National CHW Policy Working Group!

  • For a limited time, Empower House is offering rental assistance to pregnant and parenting people with children under 2, see attached flyers.

  • Oct. 14, 6 PM-8 PM, 2nd Annual Transfer on Death deed workshop sponsored by My City Is My Home and Bexar County Pct. 4. Paperwork and notaries will be on site ($30 filing fee). 1305 E. Houston St. (78205)

  • Oct. 15 and 22, 10 AM-11:30 AM, Corazon Ministries' mobile medical unit will be parked at the Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Services

  • Oct. 15 (español) and Oct. 22 (English), noon-1 PM,  Vacunas de otoño para las comunidades marginizadas / Fall vaccines for marginalized communities, webinar from the Migrant Clinicians Network. Register

  • Oct. 15, 9 AM-1 PM. White Cane Day celebration and resource fair from the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St. (78205)

  • Oct. 15, 10 AM-11 AM, emergency preparedness tips and tools from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Second Baptist Church, 3310 E Commerce St. (78220). Register

  • Oct. 16  & 27, free mammograms at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). Make an appointment at 210-433-9922 x212 or email amora@ywcasa.org or bgarcia@ywcsa.org.

  • Oct. 16, 9 AM-2 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Ignite the Harvest Church, 2311 Castroville Rd. (78237), contact Arlene Mora or Barbara Garcia for details, 361-277-9717 or 210-433-9922 x212 or x243

  • Oct. 16, noon, Fomentando la confianza: preparando a los promotores de salud y a los equipos de alcance comunitario para las vacunas de otoño / Building Trust: Equipping CHWs and Outreach Teams for Fall Vaccines, webinar from the Migrant Clinicians Network, in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English. Register

  • Oct. 16, 1 PM-2 PM, Coming in Hot: When Trauma Causes Conflict and how to de-escalate it--a webinar from the Institute for Trauma Informed Care. Details and registration

  • Oct. 17, 12:30 PM-4:30 PM, mammograms at San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, 901 N. Loop 1604 W. (78232). Call 210-358-7020 to schedule.

  • Oct. 18, 9 AM-noon, Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Health Fair from the Texas Kidney Foundation, with health screenings including dental and vision, behavioral health counseling and more, at CentroMed Southside, 3750 Commerical Ave. (78221)

  • Oct. 18, 9 AM-1 PM, mammograms  at Cleft of the Rock Church, 6041 Wt Montgomery (78252). Call 210-704-4100 to schedule (option 1,2,2).

  • Oct. 18, 10 AM-1 PM, 6th Annual Bienestar/NEEMA youth and family health fair, with health screenings and vaccines, 1327 Guadalupe St. (78207)

  • Oct. 18, 10 AM-1 PM, 12th  Annual Baby Buggy Walk and Health Expo, bringing awareness to infant mortality and pregnancy loss. Get these vaccines and learn about safe sleep, prenatal health and injury prevention from Healthy Families Network, Copernicus Park, 5003 Lord Rd (78220). Info

  • Oct. 18, 10 AM-3 PM, Southside Collaborative Health & Wellness Fiesta, including food demos, health and dental screenings and vaccines (adult flu/COVID, children's flu), kid-friendly mascots and activities, Rancho El Chema Event Center, 19935 US-281 (78221), flyer attached. For HPV vaccines (teens up to age 19), call 866-255-1811 to make an appointment.

  • Oct. 18, 1 PM-3 PM,  Periods Aren't Spooky--an empowering event for pre-teens and teenagers focused on wellness and demystifying the menstrual cycle. Create period care kits, earn volunteer hours, learn through interactive stations and win prizes, from the Community Table Foundation, 11825 West Ave #102 (78216). Register

  • Oct. 21, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM, free cardiac screenings for young athletes from AugustHeart, 4940 Broadway Suite #226 (78209). Register

  • Oct. 23,  6:30 PM-8:30 PM, Suicide Prevention to Postvention training from NAMI, online. Register

  • Oct. 24, 8 AM-1 PM, 2025 Community Health Summit for Comal & Guadalupe counties, from the Institute for Public Health & Education Research, McKenna Event Center, 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels (78130). Register

  • Oct. 25, 8 AM-10 AM, Men's Mental Health Breakfast at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, 10843 Gulfdale (78216). Register

  • Oct. 25., 8 AM-noon, free drive-thru flu shots from UH, Gustafson Stadium, 7001 Culebra Rd (78238). Register

  • Oct. 25, 8 AM-noon,  mammograms at 611 Lockhill-Selma (78216). Call 210-358-7020 to schedule.

  • Oct. 25, 8:30 AM-1 PM, free wills & estate planning clinic from Prairie View A&M Extension, Southside Lions Senior Center, 3303 Pecan Valley Dr. (78210). Register

  • Oct. 25, 10 AM-2 PM, Aging Well conference from the South Central AHEC, featuring flu and COVID vaccines, 3014 Rivas St. (78228) Info

  • Oct. 26, 1 PM-5 PM, HalloEast, with flu & COVID vaccines for adults, and flu vaccines for pre-registered kids, Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, 200 Noblewood Dr. (78220). 

  • Oct. 26, 9 AM-noon, kidney screenings from the Texas Kidney Foundation at St. Jude Catholic Church, 130 S. San Augustine (78237)

  • Oct. 29, 9 AM-11 AM, release of the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment Report, Whitley Oblate Theological Center, 285 Oblate Dr. (78216). The report highlights the most pressing health needs in our region and will help guide future community initiatives. Register

  • Oct. 29, 9 AM-1 PM, mammograms at Direct Med Clinic, 1010 NW Loop 410  (78213). Call 210-704-4100 to schedule (option 1,2,2).

  • Oct. 30, 9 AM-2 PM, Latched Support Community Resource Day, including free diapers, 8102 Midcrown (78239). Learn more and register

  • Nov. 1, 11 AM-3 PM, El Bari's immense annual health fair, with Ask A Doc, Ask A Pharmacist, Ask a Dietitian, flu shots, health screenings including vision, dental, liver, skin cancer, colon cancer, sleep apnea and much much more. Registration now open here.

  • Each week, Westcare puts out a packed, magazine-format roundup of upcoming community events—read it by clicking here. 

 

Logistics—How Do I Get…  

VACCINES Updated

  • Uninsured? For recommended childhood vaccines and some adult vaccines, click the green buttons on this page for Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net providers.

  • Insured? The American Pharmacists Association offers this pharmacy map -- filter by walk-in vaccine access, handicap accessibility, hours of operation and spoken languages. (Regardless of what the map says, it still helps to make an appointment.) There is never a co-pay or deductible for recommended vaccines.

  • Homebound seniors: Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines in the home, more info here.

  • Everyone is still eligible for COVID vaccines this year, and it is still covered by insurance. Hate the side effects? Look for the non-mRNA formulation (the second option here). 

    • In Texas, major pharmacy chains are letting people self-attest about whether they have a medical condition that raises their risk for severe COVID.

    • If you are under 65 and have no underlying health issues, you may need a vaccine prescription. Low-cost online visits are available.

    • For those without health insurance, this is the best discount coupon I've found ($105 as of October 2025)--still pricey, but cheaper than the treatment pills. 

    • If you are unable to get the vaccine, remember the old standbys of clean air, frequent handwashing, masking, staying away from others who are sick (and also when you're sick). More info


TESTING

  • The federal program for free home tests has ended. Some health insurers still cover these.

  • How to Use Home COVID and Flu Tests:

    • Lab tests are preferred for people with symptoms. If you are unable to obtain a lab test, then repeat your home COVID test every 48 hours for a total of at least two tests.

    • If any result is positive, stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours—until your symptoms are getting better and you’ve haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducers).

  • Before throwing out an expired home test, see if the expiration date was extended by checking the Expiration Date column of the FDA’s List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.


TREATMENT 

  • Medications must start quickly (within 5 days of symptoms for COVID, within just 2-3 days for the flu)—so don’t delay getting a test and a diagnosis. 

  • If you are at risk for complications and need antiviral pills: Low-cost online visits are available. Some people are eligible for co-pay assistance from the drug manufacturer. Learn more. 

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