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A dedicated group of 22 such young people from across the country have become role models for both adults and adolescents in the fight against AIDS. The National AIDS Fund tells the stories of these youths in a newly published booklet, "Youth in Action Against AIDS," which profiles the work they have done to energize their communities around AIDS. A resource guide in the back of the booklet provides a link for others who want to volunteer.
In the quest to identify teenagers who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their work with AIDS organizations, the National AIDS Fund joined forces with Metropolitan Life Foundation, which underwrote a nationwide search for 12- to 18-year-old AIDS volunteers. Together the two organizations formed the "Caring Counts" awards program; winners were chosen by an advisory committee of adults and young people. The winners were chosen not only for their efforts, but also for the personal challenges they had to overcome and for their tenacity of spirit, which just wouldn't accept defeat.
"We discovered that young people are often smarter about the AIDS epidemic than their parents and are quite pragmatic in developing strategies for teaching their peers how to protect themselves from AIDS," said B.J. Stiles, president and chief executive officer of the National AIDS Fund. "Caring really does count with these young people, as well as with the countless others like them who are rising to the challenge of stopping AIDS in their own communities," Stiles added.
Sibyl Jacobson, president and chief executive officer of Metropolitan Life Foundation, noted: "The efforts of these committed teenagers demonstrate the role community service can play in fighting AIDS. Young people can and do make a difference in their communities, and the work of the Caring Counts award winners exemplifies the best traditions of community service."
"Youth in Action Against AIDS" is available free of charge from the National AIDS Fund by calling 1-888-234-AIDS or by writing to the National AIDS Fund at 1400 I St., N.W., Suite 1220, Washington, DC 20005-2208.
Founded in 1988, the National AIDS Fund has generated over $50 million to support direct, community-based responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis, including support for more than 3,000 separate prevention, service and advocacy projects, in communities large and small throughout the United States. These dollars make a difference in the lives of thousands of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS every year.
Metropolitan Life Foundation was founded by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1976 and has contributed more than $135 million to support health, education, civic and cultural programs throughout the United States. One of the first grantmakers to support HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, the Foundation has provided over $8 million in funding to national AIDS organizations.
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CONTACT: Jerry Atchison, National AIDS Fund (202) 408-4848 or Tricia Brown, MetLife (212) 578-4072
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