Kaiser Permanente Southern California Grants for HIV/AIDS Community Organizations Total More Than $750,000 for 2009

$1.25 Million statewide underscores long-term commitment to community partnerships.

December 1, 2009

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In the San Fernando Valley, Panorama City Medical Center’s grants are going to The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center; Project Angel Food; Project New Hope; and the Valley Community Clinic. In 2009, the Woodland Hills Medical Center provided grants to Northeast Valley Health Corp.; Valley Community Clinic; and the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance. Kaiser Permanente’s HIV grant funding in Orange County was awarded to AIDS Services Foundation Orange County; Action: Aids Care Teams in Our Neighborhoods; Shanti Orange County; The Center OC; Laguna Beach Community Clinic; Mercy House Transitional Living Centers; and the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team.

In the Inland Empire, the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center provided grants to the Central City Lutheran Mission; and Foothill AIDS Project. The Riverside Medical Center awarded grants to the AIDS Assistance Program; Desert AIDS Project AKA DAP; Foothills AIDS Project; and Working Wonders. Completing the 2009 HIV/AIDS grant presentations throughout Southern California, in Kern County the recipients were Bakersfield AIDS Project and the Clinica Sierra Vista; and in San Diego, the community agencies receiving Kaiser Permanente grants were Auntie Helen's Fluff & Fold; Being Alive; Christie's Place; Council of Community Clinics; Family Health Centers; Fraternity House; Neighborhood Healthcare; North County Health Services, Inc.; Operation Samahan; San Diego Youth Services; San Ysidro Health Center; Special Delivery; and Vista Community Clinic.

Unique public health programs also demonstrate Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to prevention education. For over twenty-four years, the award-winning Educational Theatre Programs has educated more than 1.6 million high school students in Southern California about the risks of STDs and HIV/AIDS. Its newest play, What Goes Around, will perform on World AIDS Day, December 1st for 700 students at Gertz-Ressler High School in downtown Los Angeles. Stephen Simon, City of Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator, will also be a guest speaker. This program is offered as a free community benefit from Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Programs.

Kaiser Permanente’s research into HIV and AIDS began in 1987. Throughout Southern California, in addition to receiving medical care from their physician-led team, Kaiser Permanente patients with HIV are also able to receive investigational new drugs through the Kaiser Permanente Southern California HIV/AIDS Research Trials Program. With access to new and life saving drugs, many patients have had the opportunity to regain control of their HIV disease and improve their health and quality of life.

"As a pioneer in the area of education, research and treatment for patients living with HIV, Kaiser Permanente continues to support programs within its medical centers and throughout the community that provide hope, comfort and vision for a brighter and healthier future," said Towner.