Aid For AIDS

Aid For AIDS has touched the lives of more than 16,000 men, women and children.

Welcome to Aid For AIDS

Our Vision

A world in which hope is restored and lives are saved through homes, help, and healing.

For more than a quarter-century in Southern California, Aid For AIDS has woven a tapestry of support for those in crisis who are impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS. Donors, grants, and special events fund our housing assistance, food, and wellness programs.

Our Mission

To provide the basic necessities of life to men, women, children, and families living with HIV/AIDS through a safety net of essential housing and direct supportive services.

Results Count

n Preventing Homelessness n Keeping the lights & water On

n Preventing Hunger n Vitamins & medications

n Reaching Doctors & Stores n Moving deposits & Expenses

Special Announcements

The Patrick R. SERVICE AWARD provides a merit-based award of up to $5,000 to one student, annually, who is enrolled in a vocational school and who is HIV+, recovering from an addiction for at least one year, and is a Los Angeles County resident. The program's goal is to remove financial barriers, and the award is based on the student's demonstrated drive and determination to finish his or her education despite substantial challenges. Applications for the 2010 award are accepted between January 31, 2010 and March 10, 2010.

See award details here. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

The Patrick R. SERVICE AWARD is named for Patrick J. Rush. Read more.

National Public Radio/NPR and its programming partner American Public Media chose to feature Aid For AIDS and its merger with The Serra Project on their 'Marketplace' program on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Interviews include Executive Director Terry Goddard II. The program, entitled “Groups Come Together for AIDS Support,” can be accessed here.

BEST IN DRAG SHOW - October 18, 2009.

The seventh annual BEST IN DRAG SHOW was held at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on October 18th and brought in more than $300,000 for Aid For AIDS. THANK YOU, Volunteer Cast and Crew, Underwriters, Supporters, Donors, Attendees, and Celebrity Judges for the show. Judges included Jennifer Coolidge, Anna Faris, Camryn Manheim, Jayma Mays, Mary-Louise Parker, Chris Pratt, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Holland Taylor, and Jo Anne Worley.

Photo: 2009 celebrity judges join contestants, color commentators Jeffrey Drew and Todd Sherry, AFA supporter and prior judge Kathy Kinney, MC/producer Patrick Rush, and producer/director Tom Pardoe. Read more.

Best In Drag Show photos courtesy of JPI Studios, Inc. See photos here.

Stars Judge 'Best in Drag Show'! - ET Online video link.

The West Hollywood Memorial Walk

In Memory of Loved Ones & Benefiting AFA Services

"The West Hollywood Memorial Walk is both a tribute to those we have lost and a promise to continue our commitment to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. The bronze memorial plaques that line the sidewalks of Santa Monica Boulevard are a visual reminder of how the AIDS epidemic has impacted the very heart of our community." - from the Memorial Walk Keystone at Crescent Heights and Santa Monica Boulevard, dedicated December 1, 2003.

Photo: Actor Rock Hudson's Memorial Walk plaque, purchased by Elizabeth Taylor, his co-star in the film, Giant. Photo credit: Lisa Burks.

Create a lasting tribute to a loved one.

The West Hollywood Memorial Walk, a collaboration between Aid For AIDS and the City of West Hollywood, is a highly-respected landmark on Santa Monica Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive. You may purchase a bronze memorial plaque on the Memorial Walk in memory of someone special. Every plaque donation is used to provide funding for Aid For AIDS' pivotal services to people living with HIV/AIDS. On the Aid For AIDS website, guests are able to locate a loved one's name and view their memorial plaque as it appears in its permanent location on the Boulevard, along with remembrances and a photo of the loved one if provided by the plaque sponsor. Learn more.

Photo: AFA Board Member, Jim Crane, places flowers on plaques for World AIDS Day.

E-newsletter, Connections

"Connections" is sent out by email several times each year with news about upcoming AFA events and opportunities, articles and photos of recent events, current client or program statistics, recognition of supporters, and volunteer news. Email us here with your name and e-mail address to start receiving Connections.

Connections Newsletter Archive

AFA in the Press - link here

Ralph's Will Donate if Your Sign-up Here - Renew Annually

A simple two minutes can send a stream of dollars to AFA. Every September, Ralph's grocery card members need to re-register Aid for AIDS as a designated charity under the Ralph's Rewards program. All names from last year are gone and so are the donations! Ralph’s gives a portion of their revenue from individual shoppers to the non-profit organization selected. To register, you need our assigned, non-profit code, 80767, and your Ralph's card. Visit the Ralph's website here, and click ENROLL at the bottom of the page. Thank you!

“I first applied for assistance when I got sick and wasn’t able to work for a few months. I couldn’t pay rent and was on the verge of homelessness. I didn’t need help consistently, but when I did, AFA helped me get back on my feet.”

- 2009 AFA Client

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Apply For Assistance

More than 20 major agencies in Los Angeles refer clients to AFA for critical assistance. AFA has links to more than 50 service providers to further help clients. See "Programs + Services" link above. Call (323) 656-1107 Mon.- Fri. 10 AM - 4 PM, or visit our office on Thursday from 1-4 PM.

Patrick r. service award applications available

The 2010 application period is January 31, 2010 - March 10, 2010. See details and the application link in the main article on this homepage.

Upcoming Special Events

Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out - Thursday,

February 25, 2010.

See the website - GoEatGoDrinkGoOut.org

We’ve expanded our annual food-related event—and re-branded it as “Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out” for 2010. This is the 16th year for this eat-out / take-out / restaurant, bar, club, and entertainment venue event. "Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out" is a fun, easy, one-day fundraiser with participating establishments contributing a percentage of their day's sales to Aid For AIDS and The Serra Project. For 2010, you can support our work through breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hours, and an evening out at businesses throughout Los Angeles County. See where to go on the website.

GUITAR BENEFIT FOR AFA

Through a new collaboration, the artistry of Zulu Tattoo is benefiting AFA, again. The unique art of Zulu is featured on a Limited Edition series for Schecter Guitars. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these guitars will be donated to AFA --noted on their ads as Zulu's charity of choice. See the full ad here. Many may remember Zulu Tattoo's 2009 calendar of body art that benefited AFA.

RECENT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

World AIDS Day - December 1, 2009

Gallery 825 in West Hollywood hosted an overflowing crowd on World AIDS Day for an event jointly presented by The City of West Hollywood and AFA. Speakers included Marie Da Silva of The Jacaranda Foundation and Brenda Goodman, President of the Board of AFA. The 2009 Paul Starke Warrior Awards were given by The City to eight nominees, including Ms. Goodman, pictured, for exemplary work in prevention and direct HIV/AIDS services to the community. (Photo credit: Joshua Barash) Details here.

AFA Silver Anniversary & Awards - November 5, 2009

AFA's Silver Anniversary VIP Reception and Award Presentation was held on November 5, 2009 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Photos and details here.

See Silver Anniversary Reception video interviews on ET/The Insider here.

Best In Drag Show - Sunday, October 18, 2009

This very entertaining fundraiser returned to the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on the 18th of October and raised more than $300,000! See Best In Drag Show photos!

Los Angeles Pride Parade -

June 14, 2009

A crew of creative volunteers put together a memorable entry for AFA at the Pride Parade - featuring both AFA's 25 years of service and the 2008 Best In Drag Show winner, Shelby Free, with some of her court. We are grateful for our volunteers who collected donations along the parade route and for those who donated. See parade photos here.

TO DONATE OR PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP

Click on the tab "Ways to Give" at the top of this page, or go directly to "Donate Online" featured at the top of our announcement column on the right.

If you would like to speak with someone about providing financial support to AFA through private donations, grants, estate planning, or sponsorship of a fundraising event, please contact Alex Strautman, AFA Director of Development and Communications, at 323-656-1107, ext. 2111, or send an email.