Chicago, IL -
The mission of Fred Says is to generate funding to support HIV-youth programs in order to be better funded. And after two-years of building the organization, Fred Says is finally at a point where we can fulfill that goal.
This year, Fred Says will be gifting over $50,000 across the United State of America to organizations supporting HIV+ youth.The money is being gifted to provide fiscal support for any advocacy going on that helps educated the public about the needs of young people at risk for HIV, to help cover costs associated with running direct services for HIV+ youth, or other areas cited as in need of support by organizations.Agencies receiving gifts between $1,000 to $10,000 are:- Advocates for Youth to support their National Youth HIV/AIDS Day on April 10, which raises awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on youth.- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago to support their Special Infectious Diseases program where they treat pediatric HIV/AIDS patients.- Bay Area Young Positives to support case management of HIV+ young people accessing services.- Children's Hospital Los Angeles to establish a one-time application based emergency assistance program for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS.- Callen-Lorde's Health Outreach to Teens ( HOTT ) program, which targets homeless and unstably housed youth across New York City who are at risk of acquiring HIV.- Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) to provide financial resources needed to lessen any identified gaps in services not covered by current grants.This year marks the beginning of the yearly giving to organizations in Chicago and beyond that Fred Says aims to accomplish. In a climate where HIV-funding is on the decline, Fred Says believes money raised throughout the year will help fill gaps that many agencies are experiencing.San Francisco recipient, Bay Area Young Positives, serves the most vulnerable HIV+ youth in their community. "This "Fred Says" grant will make a huge difference in the lives of the youth we serve. It will allow us provide much needed case management and support to the youth in our agency," says Curtis Moore, Executive Director.At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the money isn't just about healthcare; it's about young people's lives outside of a clinical setting."This amazing funding will be used to help support our adolescents and young adults with HIV with life issues that go beyond healthcare," says Marvin Belzer, Director of Adolescent Medicine. "They may need some help when moving into their first apartment like a bed or small fridge, maybe a book for school or the costs of replacing an ID card or birth certificate. These small gifts can be instrumental in helping our patients get past tough parts of their lives and make it easier for them to concentrate on their health."Fred Says plans to announce yearly gifts on December 1st of each year to celebrate World AIDS Day globally. This is the largest gift to date the organization has made since being founded.Fred Says is recognized by the federal government as a 501—C3 non-profit charitable organization. The mission of Fred Says is to create a self-sustaining charity that ensures that all HIV+ teenagers receive the care and services they need to lead healthy and productive lives. Fred Says seeks to reduce the stigma associated with HIV that makes it difficult for young HIV+ people to access the care they deserve and to focus on their health and emotional well-being. To learn more visit: www.fredsays.org.