Three grass-roots agencies, AIDS Foundation of Long Island, People With AIDS Coalition-LI, and Thursday's Child, form an alliance to collaborate on fund-raising, share space if needed, and reduce overhead. Their goal is a more charitable and efficient use of monies donated to better serve Long Islanders living with HIV/AIDS.

AIDS Foundation of Long Island (AFOLI) is a fund-raising organization presently comprised of six volunteer Board Members. Money raised is designated for emergency personal needs of Long Islanders living with HIV/AIDS and often for which no other funding source is available. AFOLI money buys strollers, playpens, diapers and baby food ... socks, sweat clothes, shoes... comforters for patients in nursing homes ... food coupons and bus tickets ... rent, utilities, air conditioners ... summer camp for kids and retreats for adults ... the list continues! Their goal is to help meet the quality of life needs every human being deserves.

The People With AIDS Coalition of Long Island (PWAC-LI) is the only drop-in center on Long Island where anyone infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS are welcome to come and be with others who share their same physical and emotional needs. PWAC Is virtually a volunteer organization, therefore the bulk of proceeds from the Dock of the Bay event are spent to enhance existing programs. These programs include an Education Speakers Bureau where People Living With AIDS (PLWAs) speak on awareness and prevention at schools and correctional facilities, and the only Long Island recreational support group for children infected with or affected by AIDS. Money is also budgeted for group retreats and social activities for PLWAs.

Thursday's Child, Inc. (TC) provides independent, permanent, supportive housing and housing assistance on Long Island to families and individuals with HIV/AIDS. TC also provides direct emergency financial assistance for phone and utility bills. Food vouchers and packages of personal hygiene products are also distributed to people in order to help stabilize the family and enable people to maintain their housing situations. In 1998, TC formed a "Safety Net Fund" to address the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS who might not qualify for benefits from government grants and social service funding. This money is available to assist people who might otherwise "fall through the cracks," or who are on the brink of financial trouble, but with a I lititle emergency assistance might avoid financial disaster.

Support of the Dock of the Bay benefit enables AFOLI to do the work described above. They recognize their responsibility to spend your money wisely so that it reaches the people you seek to assist. You are Long Islanders helping Long Islanders.
 
 

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