PRNewswire - November 18, 2008

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation has made the commitment to prepare LGBT youth to lead their communities in the future. This year, the foundation named its recipient of the first-ever Internship in Leadership Development, Eric Knudsen, who will be interning with the NO/AIDS Task Force. The internship prepares future leaders for lasting leadership roles within organizations that support the LGBT movement. NO/AIDS Task Force is one of the oldest and largest AIDS service organizations in the Gulf South, providing critical and compassionate services to men, women and families affected by HIV and AIDS for over 25 years. NO/AIDS has selected Eric Knudsen to be the ultimate beneficiary of the internship program.

"We are honored to be chosen out of many deserving applicants and thankful for the opportunity the R. Scott Hitt Foundation has provided to NO/AIDS Task Force. We are thrilled to welcome Eric to the agency. His previous experience will be an asset to NO/AIDS and we are confident he will surpass the organization's expectations and emerge an effective organizer in the non-profit sector and prepared to lead the LGBT community," said NO/AIDS executive director Noel Twilbeck.

Eric, a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut, already has an impressive resume of LGBT work, research and activism, including an internship with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. During Eric's 9-month tenure at NO/AIDS Task Force, he will work in a variety of program areas which will expose him to the various aspects of nonprofit organizational work and provide him with invaluable knowledge and experience for the future.

"It is an incredible feeling and the greatest honor when highly influential, accomplished people, who have made my life better in ways I will never fully understand, believe I have what it takes to shape the future," stated Knudsen.

During the course of 9 months, Eric's responsibilities at NO/AIDS Task Force will focus on 5 core areas to help hone his leadership skills: policy & grassroots organizing, managerial operations, communications, event production and development & board development. Eric was energized right away about his internship when one of his first activities was to participate in board and staff development, which was facilitated by award-winning author and speaker Kay Sprinkel Grace.

"Working at NO/AIDS is a priceless opportunity to grow, learn, and prepare for upcoming victories in LGBT equality," said Knudsen.

The majority of his work will be with the Task Force's Community Awareness Network (CAN) Project, which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities. The CAN Project has long been a recognized leader in prevention both regionally and nationally, and was an ideal fit for Knudsen. Eric will assist with the Mpowerment initiative which is a model HIV prevention program designed specifically to address the needs of young gay/bisexual men. Additionally, he will be an integral part of the Popular Opinion Leader program which mobilizes local gay establishments, community organizations and businesses to adopt messages of HIV prevention and awareness. He will also work to implement these messages in online chat rooms.

"The R. Scott Hitt Foundation was extremely excited to have partnered with NO/AIDS and we think that they have selected a very worthy individual in Eric Knudsen. Scott would be humbled to know that his legacy will continue to live on in the bright future of Eric who exemplifies Scott's vision and work to improve people's lives everywhere, but especially those at risk and living with HIV/AIDS," stated Jim Weinstein, Chair of the R. Scott Hitt Foundation Board.

Additionally, the chance to work with an agency in New Orleans will prove to be an amazing opportunity. Three years after Hurricane Katrina, the city has created numerous opportunities for young professionals and emerging leaders. The culture in New Orleans is ideal for young leaders to define themselves and emerge with all of the ever-elusive qualities that define great leadership. When Eric Knudsen has completed his internship at NO/AIDS Task Force in New Orleans, he will be a stronger leader, prepared to help the LGBT community continue to grow and prosper.

The application process for the 2009 R. Scott Hitt Foundation Internship in Leadership Development opens on December 1, 2008. The paid internship seeks to provide college graduates with a strong academic record a 7 - 9 month working experience to help them build necessary leadership skills that will be an asset to the LGBT community. Applicants are free to chose an established 501(c)3 nonprofit host organization anywhere in the United States. Together the applicant and host organization develop a curriculum for the duration of the proposed internship. Applications, which are due by May 8, 2009, must include a cover letter, essay and recent resume. For further information, go to www.scotthittfoundation.org.

NO/AIDS Task Force, founded in 1983, is one of the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organizations in the Gulf South. Now in its 25th year of service to the greater New Orleans area, the agency offers a comprehensive array of compassionate and critical services for men, women and families living with HIV/AIDS such as: primary medical care, early intervention services, peer support, mental health therapy, support groups, case management, housing coordination, medication assistance, home delivered meals and a food bank program. NO/AIDS also touches thousands of lives each year through HIV/AIDS prevention education and community outreach. For more information about NO/AIDS Task Force call 504-821-2601 or visit www.noaidstaskforce.org

The R. Scott Hitt Foundation, launched in 2007, strives to advance public well-being through the development and training of socially conscious individuals to become the future leaders in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community activism. The internship programs are designed to introduce outstanding, innovative, socially conscious individuals, who are in the educational phase of their lives, to the various aspects of nonprofit organizational work. Through participation in one of the foundation's two internship programs, both undergraduate and graduate, individuals will learn the skills necessary to participate in the field of gay and lesbian nonprofit advocacy. The programs are designed to train candidates to follow in our footsteps and lead the way as our community manages with a shortage of highly skilled successors and the increasing need for skillful leadership. Our community has a history of taking care of our own and the Foundation is focused on keeping that tradition alive. For more information about the R. Scott Hitt Foundation, please call James Vellequette at 323-573-3005 or visit www.scotthittfoundation.org

Source: NO/AIDS Task Force

CONTACT: T. J. Rogers, NO/AIDS Task Force, +1-504-821-2601 x 218, Fax: +1-504-821-2040, tjr@noaidstf.org

Web site: http://www.noaidstaskforce.org/

http://www.scotthittfoundation.org/

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