Laguna Shanti, if Troubled, Still Has Niche

Regarding the stories on Laguna Shanti not receiving AIDS Walk money, it sounds like politics to me.

It is a shame that AIDS services organizations cannot survive together. Especially during economic times as difficult as these.

Laguna Shanti is unique and is needed. Last summer while my friend vacationed in the South of France, he decided to be HIV tested. He called me frantically for help. He had tested HIV positive. He wanted information fast in English and we both had access to fax machines. I called Aids Services Foundation. They said they didn’t have any information in the form of pamphlets which could be faxed. They referred me to an organization in Garden Grove. They told me they would mail me something.

My husband suggested Laguna Shanti. I called and they told me to come by and see them. The people at Shanti were wonderful and gave me more information than I expected.

It should come as no surprise to anyone living in Orange County that these are tough times for our nonprofit organizations, whether they be cultural, social service or medical.

Continued cuts in state, federal, and local budgets have passed the responsibility of supporting needed social services on to each and every one of us.

If Laguna Shanti is “shaky,” well, look around Orange County, talk to the folks at United Way and you will soon discover Laguna Shanti is not the only nonprofit that is “shaky.”

While the AIDS Walk board is scrutinizing the internal turmoil of the agencies they will fund, they should also look at the services such organizations provide.

I think they will find Laguna Shanti is about typical for turmoil and above average for service.

LAILA MATINIAN-RIES, Santa Ana