Children Affected by AIDS Foundation: Bringing Joy and Fun into their Lives

The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation is solely devoted to support programs for vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. Through domestic grant making, domestic initiatives, international grant making and international initiatives, CAAF works to ameliorate the lives of at-risk children.

Domestic grant making provides basic needs, psychosocial support, social and recreational parties, field trips classes, and camp network grants. CAAF also develops initiatives to “fill in the gaps” in services including spreading information and providing camps.

Making an International Difference

The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation has partnered with Mattel to start the International Program for HIV-Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Last year alone they helped out more than 28,000 Latin American and Caribbean children infected, affected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

They also have partnered with CoNEVIH to implement “Prevention by Intervention” to rural healthcare centers in Guatemala. The main goals of this initiative is to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy, labor, or while breastfeeding. They have tested over 26,000 pregnant women and trained over 14,000 midwives that serve in Guatemala. They partner specifically with MAC, AIDS Fund and Gilead.

“Lend Your Support”

Volunteering is a great way to help the CAAF staff with the overwhelming amount of tasks. In the fall season, office administrative support is needed to answer phones, file, photocopy, and enter data. Other volunteering opportunities include the special fundraising events assembling gift bags, checking-in guests, and serving food. To see what volunteer opportunities are available visit the events section of the CAAF Website.

You can also donate now to the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

Their Los Angeles office is at 6033 W. Century Blvd, Suite 603, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Call them at 310.258.0850.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: Dancing for a Cure

HIV affects children from the U.S. to South Africa

Thanks to the efforts of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, pediatric AIDS has been almost eliminated in the United States. Also, now more than half of HIV-positive pregnant women in lower-income countries receive medicines to help prevent transmission of HIV to their unborn children.  25% of the women who receive medicine are sponsored by the Foundation.

Regardless of all of the progress they have made, there are still more than 1,000 children infected with HIV every day through breast milk or in utero. The foundation works through research, programs, and public policy around the world to fight pediatric HIV/AIDS.

The research they have provided over the last 20 years has created scientific advances leading to prevention, treatment, and a cure of pediatric HIV infection. They also work to train international research leaders to take action against the virus in children around the world while continuing the development of the vaccine.

The Pediatric AIDS Foundation also works with regions that are heavily plagued with HIV like sub-Saharan Africa, China, India, etc. to implement life-saving programs. They work with partners to give prevention, care and treatment for women, children and families. They also work to research and implement better technology across the world.

Speaking Out for the Rights of Children

Giving a voice to those who cannot raise theirs loudly enough, Elizabeth Glaser worked to bring awareness to the children fighting HIV/AIDS in the earlier years of the pandemic. The Foundation has worked with policy makers, the infected population, scientists, researchers, community and business leaders, and the media to provide funding for pediatric AIDS and to make medication more accessible. Most importantly, thanks to the Foundation, discrimination against those infected with HIV is being prevented with more education and awareness available.

Give Back to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Give back now to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation! From February 19-20, UCLA is hosting their annual Dance Marathon, a 26 hour dance-a-thon to raise money to fight Pediatric AIDS. This year will be the 10th annual Dance Marathon at UCLA. Sign up at www.bruindancemarathon.org/ to be a Moraler or a Volunteer today.

You can also take action or donate to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The Art of Elysium: A Place of Ideal Happiness

Founded in 1997, the Art of Elysium works with children battling serious medical conditions to provide them a foundation in the arts specifically in acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing. They encourage actors, musicians and artists to volunteer their time and talent to give these children an outlet to the world of arts.

Ultimately, these critically ill children will find hope and appreciation, as will the artists who donate their time. Art gives these sick children a break from worrying, from feeling alone, and from the regimen of the medical procedures that they go through on a daily basis.

A Testimonial from a Parent

“One of the most overlooked things in the hospital environment, because the children are so ill, is what they do with their time. My daughter first spent eleven days in the hospital, and more recently another seven. If an organization can take a child’s mind off of their pain for five minutes then it is worth it. Each minute in the hospital is long to a child; each minute is a part of their childhood slipping away as they face pain, fear, and possibly death. Jennifer has sat in ICU with my daughter and made her laugh and smile, temporarily helping my daughter to forget her anguish. For every child in the hospital, there should be someone like Jennifer, who helps the child forget and the parents believe.” Susan Milliken - Parent

Give Back to The Art of Elysium

You you can help places like The Art of Elysium to keep making an impact on critically ill children by making a donation, volunteering as an artist, donating art supplies, buying art, or purchasing an art kit.

To make a monetary donation, click here. Every $25 you donate purchases an art kit for a child.

You can also donate art supplies in the form of beauty supplies (new and unused), children’s books (all ages), costumes (new and unused), musical instruments, or basic art supplies. You can mail your donation to The Art of Elysium, 3278 Wilshire Blvd – Penthouse, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

To volunteer as an artist you will need to attend an orientation. For information visit their website or email Leslie Culp, Program Director of Los Angeles at lculp@theartofelysium.org.

To buy art, visit their art gallery and if you are interested in purchasing contact Deborah Marcus at 213.387.3918 or email her at dmarcus@theartofelysium.org.

Para Los Niños: Helping Children Succeed

Para los niños, for the children. This non profit organization is focused on the social wellbeing of children and their academic success. Providing high-quality education and family support services, Para Los Niños partners with charter schools and communities to alleviate the stresses of living in high-poverty areas of Los Angeles.

The Inspiration that Lead to the Formation of Para Los Niños

In 1979, an article was published by the LA Times illustrating children living in Skid Row, wandering the dangerous streets while their parents worked to support them. These “forgotten children” were forced to fend for themselves during the day, and their education and well being was overlooked. 90% of them did not attend school.

Tanya Tull formed Para Los Niños within a year of this article being published. It started in a previously owned false eyelash factor where at-risk children could have a safe environment with the chance of an education. With poverty at an all-time high in Los Angeles, Para Los Niños attempts to build stable families and create hopeful futures for children. They now help over 7,000 children, youth and families annually with their 400 employees over 22 locations. For a list of locations visit their Fact Sheet.

Margarita’s Story

“Margarita has a big smile on her face these days. After battling severe depression brought on by her mother’s drug addiction and months of living in foster care, Margarita now lives a peaceful life with her father.

Fourteen-year-old Margarita was referred to Para Los Niños’ Mental Health Services by her County case worker. Margarita had been removed from her mother’s care due to her mother’s drug use. Unfortunately, this turn of events left Margarita severely depressed, with thoughts of suicide. Margarita’s condition was so poor that Para Los Niños immediately arranged for psychiatric hospitalization for the heartbroken girl.

When Margarita was released from the hospital, she returned to Para Los Niños for outpatient care. Medication and therapy had relieved the worst of her symptoms, but Margarita was still a very troubled girl. She did not respond to her foster mother, and was faring poorly in school. Para Los Niños’ therapists – with the help of Margarita’s caring foster mother – helped Margarita cope with her situation. The therapists also reached out to Margarita’s mother. Sadly, Margarita’s mother, deep into her drug addiction, refused to help Margarita.

Soon, though, a relative of Margarita’s long-absent father discovered that Margarita was living in foster care. Her father had no idea of his daughter’s circumstances. With the help of her therapists, Margarita reconnected with her father, and her depression lifted. Margarita was able to discontinue the use of medication, and her case was closed when she successfully reunited with her father and his family.”

How You Can Help Para Los Niños

More than 6 million children go home alone each week. A child in California is born into poverty every 5 minutes. A child in California is abused or neglected every 4 minutes. Para Los Niños needs your help to alleviate these terrifying statistics.

You can help Para Los Niños by donating or becoming a mentor. To become a mentor you need to complete an application, pass a background check, submit a DMV driving record, participate in a personal interview, provide 4 references, attend the Orientation, and attend a four hour mentor training. You can download the application here. For more information on becoming a mentor visit them on there website www.paralosninos.org.

To donate to Para Los Niños click here. Your donation will go directly to help a child living in poverty in Los Angeles.

To contact Para Los Niños headquarters, email them at info@paralosninos.org or call them at 213-250-4800. You can also visit their website at www.paralosninos.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Mentoring Matters

Our mission is to help children in need reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships.

The youth in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation are 76% less likely to be involved in gangs, and for over 55 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire have continued to make an impact in the lives of thousands of children. Together, BBBS and their volunteers work to enhance the social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive competencies of children living in poverty, to improve academic achievement and educational commitment, to improve the health standards of these children and inform of preventative health, to improve the children’s sense of a future, and to build the sense of self-worth for children.

Their goal: to serve 5,000 children each year by 2020 by ensuring effectiveness and quality of Big Brothers Big Sisters. A lot of the at-risk youth’s lives are transformed by Big Brothers Big Sisters. They work to transform the at-risk neighborhoods and schools in order to make the lives of children living in poverty better.

What does “at-risk” mean?

“At-risk youth” applies to children and adoelscents who are associated with crime, violence, sex, substance abuse, or a lack of access to basic human rights like healthcare or education. An at-risk child can live below the poverty level, live in low-income situations, or struggle with complex situations like difficult social environments, a hard family life, or peer pressure.

What does a Big Brother or a Big Sister do?

Over 1,500 at-risk children from ages six to eighteen are matched carefully with adult volunteers. They have multiple programs for children to cooperate in to ameliorate their situations.

The Community Based Mentoring Program matches one child with one mentor. This provides a one-year commitment meeting twice a month for two to four hours.

The Workplace Mentoring Program matches volunteers with adolescents in their sophomore year of high school. They teach students the necessary skills to succeed in the working world and instill the desire to do well in school.

The School Based Program offers consistent time and attention to children who need a long-term caring adult in their lives. The mentor meets with the child once a week for one hour – this commitment lasts 1 year.

Give Back to Big Brothers Big Sisters

You can give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters by becoming a Big, by making a donation, or by volunteering at their bingo hall.

To become a Big, you need to fill out the application and apply here. If you have any questions contact David Garvey at 213-213-2463 or email him at David. Garvey@bbbsla.org.

90% of the Big Brothers Big Sister budget is thanks to the generous donors. It costs $1500 to make a match. Even a small donation will help since they currently support over 1500 matches. Donate now or give an honorary gift. To make a donation over the phone contact Sylvia Ghazarian at 213-213-2422 or email at Sylvia.Ghazarian@bbbsla.org.

You can also donate your time at Bingo night. On Friday and Saturday night, Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts a live bingo night. It takes place Friday from 5:30PM to 11:00 PM and Saturday 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM at 5601 W. Slauson Ave, Suite 130, Culver City, CA 90230. Contact Rick Craft at 213-213-2424 or Rick.Craft@bbbsla.org.