ABOUT AIDS WALK LONG BEACH

A small group of volunteers formed AIDS Walk Long Beach in 1988. 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 begin helping our Long Beach citizens.

Since very little funding came from other Los Angeles based agencies, AIDS Walk Long Beach is the only collective source of funding for many beneficiary agencies. AIDS Walk Long Beach has provided funding for over 34 beneficiary agencies totaling more than $ 2.1 million dollars.

AIDS Walk Long Beach helps men, women, children, and families in the greater South Bay and Long Beach area living with HIV/AIDS. Services through the beneficiary agencies include food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, kids and family programs, mental health counseling, support groups and HIV education and prevention services.

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.

Our Current Goals and Programs:

For 2008 we are working on several programs and initiatives to bring an end to AIDS in Long Beach.  We are now working with the underserved communities of Long Beach to prevent HIV/AIDS from taking hold. 

• Implementing the AIDS Life Emergency Fund (ALEF) in collaboration with the AIDS Food Store of Long Beach to provide emergency "stop gap" funding for basic life necessities.  This is a compassion based human dignity program that serves to provide a bridge for those living with AIDS that must choose between basic living needs and other vital services.

• First and foremost, we are continuing to work with the Cambodian Community (API). We are collaborating with several traditional and non-traditional partners to bring culturally sensitive changes and education programs to the Cambodian Community.  It is a significant challenge for us to make some impact in HIV/AIDS education and prevention with the CCA. By working with the CCA, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, partner agencies and community collaboration we feel we can make an impact.

• Bringing back community awareness and activism is another initiative we are working on.  Working with the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" on community outreach is a fun, friendly and effective way to deliver 'Safer Sex" education to the at risk population.

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.

Long Beach AIDS Foundation

2630 E Fourth Street, Long Beach CA 90814

(562) 987-5200  Email: info@aidswalklb.org

To find out more about how you can help LBAF continue its legacy of care and commitment, including donations or volunteering your time, please call 562)987-5200 or visit us on the web at www.lbaidsfoundation.org