Give a Gift with Meaning
With holidays and gift-giving occasions fast approaching, please keep in mind that a beautiful piece of art work from our collection is a wonderful way to remember special people in your life. Not only would they receive a lovely print, but they would know that the money spent supports our work as we raise awareness and give young people a voice in their response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, as well as other social justice issues affecting the world around us.
Volunteering at Art for AIDS International
As Father's Day weekend approaches, we at Art for AIDS International count our blessings for the presence of loving and supportive fathers and the role that they play in our North American society. In Africa, it is not always the case. We are working hard to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned through HIV/AIDS. If you are interested in helping us in our efforts, we can be contacted through our website or also through our new profile at www.getvolunteering.ca.
Volunteer Positions Available
We are excited about some upcoming events that will be happening locally. There is also a plan to visit Africa again in the near future. With this in mind, Art for AIDS International is open to new volunteers joining our efforts in order to make it a very effective and exciting summer! Please do contact us if you or someone you know would like to work with us and help make a difference. We are interested in local volunteers to work in London, Ontario at this time. Thank you for your continued support.
New Way to Donate to Art for AIDS International
It is now easier than ever to make a one-time or monthly donation to Art for AIDS International. From the "Get Involved" tab on our website, simply go to "Donate". From there you can click on the DONATE button and you will be linked to Canada Gives which will facilitate your money being put to good use helping those affected by HIV/AIDS. Thank you for your support!
Recognizing Humanitarianism at Home and Abroad
On a daily basis, stories about war, poverty, disease, and injustice dominate the news and can be easy to recognize in the community around us. Despite this, there are equally as many stories highlighting success at the individual, community, and global levels worth acknowledgment and celebration.
This week, in recognition of World Humanitarian Day, we would like to recognize the tireless work of the doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and aid workers around the world, that every day overcome adversity and work improve people's lives. We would also like to thank the young people who contribute their vision of a better world through art in our workshops, the teachers who invite us into their school communities, and our own team of volunteers for their hard work and enthusiasm.
As we recognize World Humanitarian Day, let's each take up the simple call to do something good for someone else, as often as we can.
Learn more about World Humanitarian Day, or how you can get involved at: http://www.un.org/en/events/humanitarianday/
HIV and Young People [Infographic]
In 2011, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) challenged young people from around the world to collaborate and crowdsource the next global HIV strategy. This past April, we were excited to share that strategy with all of you along with our commitment support tens of thousands of young people in promoting this campaign. Today, to build on that commitment, we wanted to share with you the latest CrowdOutAIDS infographic and encourage all of you in turn to share this important information with others.
Globally, its estimated that five million young people (15-24 years of age) are living with HIV. About 3000 young people are newly infected with HIV each day. According to recent surveys in low- and middle-income countries, only 24% of young women and 36% of young men responded correctly when asked questions on HIV prevention and transmission.
For more details on CrowdOutAIDS visit http://www.crowdoutaids.org/.
To read other Art for AIDS International posts related to UNAIDS visit: http://www.artforaidsinternational.org/tag/unaids/
Celebrating 10 Years of Art for AIDS International
The Power of 10 years and 10,000 Young People
Ten years ago, Art for AIDS International set out to stop the spread of HIV by inspiring young people, through art, to play an active and engaged role in the global AIDS response.
Thanks to support from these young people, their communities, and a growing network of partners, we’ve had the opportunity to host workshops with over 10,000 young people, at over 300 schools from across Canada, and throughout Africa and Europe. The outcome of this incredible community effort is a powerful collection of art, produced by young people, that has raised international awareness about AIDS, and over 1 million dollars to support community organizations in Africa working with women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.
On the 10th Anniversary of Art for AIDS, we want to celebrate the tremendous impact that a community-driven initiative has had on the lives of young people in classrooms around the world, and on the lives of young people across Africa, who have benefitted directly.
Power of 10 Portfolio
To thank everyone who has made this possible, we are re-releasing the 20 prints that started it all (10 from each of our first two portfolios). This "Power of 10" portfolio will be sold at a number of exciting events that will run throughout the remainder of 2011 and into 2012. Further, to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy this work, prints will be available for only $10 each with proceeds supporting Art for AIDS International and the work of our partner organizations in Africa.
How you can get involved
There are a number of ways you can support Art for AIDS International through the Power of 10 campaign:
- Become a volunteer at Art for AIDS International;
- Host an event in your home, school, or community;
- Sponsor the campaign directly;
- Purchase Power of 10 prints.
If you would like to support Art for AIDS International and the Power of 10 campaign in any of these ways, please contact us.
You can also check back on our website as we post exciting news, events, and updates over the coming weeks.
Thank you
While Art for AIDS began as a small - one person - secondary school initiative, it was ultimately the power of community that has allowed us to grow, engage more young people, and provide support to women and children in some of the communities hardest hit by HIV in Africa.
We would like to thank everyone who has been involved from our inception for their dedication, initiative, and the passion they've shown for this project. This includes our enthusiastic volunteers and board, each of the students, teachers, and school boards who've welcomed us to their school community, our tremendous group of public and private sponsors, and finally, everyone who has shown their recognition for the power of art in addressing global challenges like the HIV epidemic, whether through kind words, telling others about our work, or purchasing one of our students' works of art.
Thank you.
What about HIV? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Thirty years into the response to HIV, an estimated 3000 young people are newly infected with HIV everyday. Many young people living with HIV still do not have access to treatment and only 34% of all young people have correct and comprehensive knowledge about HIV and how to protect themselves. That's why more than 150 young HIV activists from across the world gathered for a three-day summit in Bamako, Mali, last week to rally a youth-led response to HIV in lead up to the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS (taking place in New York from 8 to 10 June 2011). Read more
What are you doing this World AIDS Day?
This World AIDS Day, Art for AIDS International is hosting two events to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and about the work that Art for AIDS is doing to support women and children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Please check out the following listings and put at least one of them in on your calendar!
December 1st: Celebrate World AIDS Day with Art for AIDS @ APKLive
On December 1st, Join Art for AIDS International at the new APK Live in London and Celebrate World AIDS Day. We will be hosting a large exhibit, and some incredible local musicians. Come out to APK Live to enjoy lovely music and check out some alternative gift ideas for the Holiday season.
Come see musicians like: Richard Drew, Emily Jarvis, Victoria Sartor and Dean McKey, Jess McKeen, and Blaise Dunn
Location: APK Live; 340 Wellington Street, lower (Under Yuk Yuks); London, ON
Art for AIDS Foursquare Special!
Art for AIDS International is now on Foursquare! To encourage everyone to stop by our gallery we have decided to offer 5 dollars off any print for first time check-ins on Foursquare. All you have to do is come to our gallery, sign in to your Foursquare account using your mobile phone and show one of our staff members or volunteers.
To learn more about Foursquare, visit: http://foursquare.com/
Or to check out Art for AIDS International's venue page, please click the button below!
