ABOUT AIDS WALK LONG BEACH

AIDS Walk Long Beach is a program of the Long Beach AIDS Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.  We invest in the education, services and prevention of HIV/AIDS with our community partners.

In 1988 is response to all those who were affected by AIDS and dying, a  group of volunteers formed AIDS Walk Long Beach. AIDS came to Long Beach with a vengeance and our neighbors, lovers, friends, and family were dying. Desperately needed help and had nowhere to turn, AIDS Walk Long Beach was one of the first organizations to respond to the needs of the community by helping our Long Beach citizens.

Long Beach and the South Bay area agencies seem not to receive any funding from other AIDS Walks or AIDS Rides in other cities, yet our area ranks #2 in the State of California on HIV per capita.  The rate in the area is twice that of all of Los Angeles County!  Yet portionally speaking, more fundraising dollars leave our community to help those in other cities instead of helping our own neighbors.  This is the primary reason we hold our own AIDS Walk Long Beach every year...to help those agencies in our backyard that service our community.

More than ever, we need your help.  We know these times are challenging for everyone and even more challenging for those with HIV. Imagine for a moment, living with HIV on public assistance with just enough money to cover food, housing and medical. Then having very little left over to cover basic neccessities like utilities and other needs, let alone doing something nice like renting a movie and eating out. 

The few dollars we spend now, help those from becoming infected or assist those who already required medical services are far less than the estimated lifetime cost of $600,000 per person that taxpayers end up paying for those who become too ill to maintain their well-being. Many clients today, are seeking more help.  Food store clients are up by 30% over previous years and agencies are being overwhelmed with those needing medical services during these times.  Consider it an investment for the future.

AIDS Walk Long Beach is the only collective source of funding for many beneficiary agencies and has provided funding for over 35 beneficiary agencies totaling more than $2.4 million dollars since 1988. Our highly efficient volunteer-driven organization keeps the cost of fundraising at an astonishing low cost of under 5%. Compare that with other well known agencies. As the focus in Washington and the public looks toward accountability, transparency and governance, the Long Beach AIDS Foundation has been working very hard since the beginning to make that one of our hallmarks in ensuring we a maximizing results in our goal to stop new HIV infections.

Our Current Focus, Goals and Programs:

For 2010 our Strategic Plans call for strengthening our core programs, improving outreach and focusing on what we do best.  These plans and  initiatives are working with a goal toward deliverable objects including making direct impact on new HIV infections through youth & adolescent HIV awareness programs, the underserved communities of Long Beach and other overlooked communities. 

It also includes eliminating activities and programs during these times that, while meaningful, do not fit into our strategic plans under the conditions of these challenging times. Focusing on our Core Competencies are the integral part of ensuring we are maximizing the effectiveness of our prevention efforts.

Core Competencies: 

• Expand and enhance the Resource Referral Program of the Service Provider Area 8 Network through efficient delivery methods to clients and a community in need.

• Enhance, expand and employ new technologies that reach the youth and adolescent populations through viral social networks, internet applications, youth directed programs through Long Beach Unified School District and the Los Angeles Unified School District, and increase participation through action-advocacy programs like our SpotU program.

• Enhance the AIDS Life Emergency Fund  (ALEF) program that provides emergency "stop gap" funding for basic life necessities. A program that serves to provide a bridge for those living with AIDS that must choose between basic living needs and other vital services. Develop a LifeSkills program that assists clients to manage their lives more effectively and improve their overall health and well-being.

• Provide outreach to under-served, culturally-challenged communities to deliver effective and lasting HIV awareness and prevention programs.  Enhance delivery methods for prevention to a "message-resistant" population.

• Enhance participation, fundraising, and grant-making capabilities of the AIDS Walk Long Beach program

We hope for the day when we will never have to open our doors again. Until then, we work hard to ensure everyone living with HIV and AIDS in Long Beach has access to life enhancing care and prevent its spread. And to prevent those that does have HIV from ever being at risk for contracting HIV or AIDS.

Let's Make Change Happen!

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