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AIDS Resources |
Throughout the United States, different groups have started programs aimed at helping those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Support groups, fundraisers, and different projects have been developed to help those living with the disease to live their lives to the fullest. Each year, October is designated as AIDS Awareness Month. Many organizations use this month to promote their projects. For example, cities around the country, such as Los Angeles and Phoenix, coordinate an AIDS walk in which thousands of people show up to walk and raise money for different AIDS foundations. During the year, there is an overwhelming amount of foundations for children with HIV/AIDS. These provide support for the children as well as their parents.
AIDS Project Arizona is an organization aimed at both preventing the transmission of HIV as well as assisting those individuals already infected with the virus. They provide many opportunities for children with HIV/AIDS. For example,KIDS CENTRAL is one of the many escapes from everyday life that APAZ provides. They develop activities and services for the children which allows them to pursue as normal of a life as possible. For instance, once a month they have Kids Fun Day parties where they celebrate everyone's birthday within that particular month. They also provide a class called Nutrition for Kids, where children learn the best way to take care of themselves. JAY (an ancronym for Junior And Youth) is a phone buddy system that pairs up kids infected with the virus. This system provides support, friendship, and an understanding person the children can talk to.
The most rewarding service that APAZ provides is Camp Hakuna Matata. Hakuna Matata means "no worries" and that is exactly what it gives. Camp Hakuna Matata is a five day camp for children with AIDS/HIV and their families. This camp provides an escape from the reality of their disease. This camp is equipped with nurses and caretakers which gives the parents a break, and allows siblings of the infected an opportunity to talk about how they feel with other siblings of AIDS/HIV patients. Most importantly, Camp Hakuna Matata allows kids to be kids. For more information about APAZ, Camp Hakuna Matata, or KIDS CENTRAL links are provided at the bottom of the page.
The Pediatric AIDS Foundation, founded by Elizabeth Glaser, raises money for a program termed "Call to Action". This program promotes global awareness against preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to infants. They recently released an album called "For Our Children" featuring children's hit songs performed by stars including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor. All of the proceeds benefit the foundation. Stores such as Etoys, Amazon.com, Office Max, JCPenney, J Crew, United Airlines, and others will donate 5% of each purchase to the PEDAIDS foundation when you shop online. To find out more about this foundation look to the links below.
There are other great organizations such as the AIDS Awareness Videos that are produced for kids in grades K-4. These videos help them better understand the HIV virus. The Children With AIDS Project helps to find foster care or adoptive services to children with the disease. The links to these sites are also listed below.
There are many ways to get support if you are living with AIDS/HIV. AmFar, National AIDS funds, and the National Association for People with AIDS all provide support groups as well as phone buddies for those who need them. The National AIDS Hotline is 1-800-342-AIDS. Groups are also available to support the spiritual as well as religious aspects of living with AIDS.
