4 AIDS Groups to Share Grant
Four area nonprofit organizations that help people with HIV/AIDS will share $18,500 in grants from Kaiser Permanente.
Statewide, the health maintenance organization awarded $350,000 to a total of 60 agencies that work to prevent HIV and care for those who have HIV/AIDS. Valley groups that received money were Valley Community Clinic in North Hollywood, $6,750; El Proyecto del Barrio Inc. in the northeast Valley, $5,750; Hands United Together in Pacoima, $3,000; and the Serra Project in North Hollywood, $3,000.
Hands United Together will use the money for its prevention program, which involves speakers talking to teens about the realities of having unprotected sex. The organization, started in 1993, gets the majority of its funds from the community.
“When I first came here, I didn’t know how much compassion this community has,” said Lamar Johnson, president, who has AIDS. “But [the San Fernando Valley] is still an overlooked area when it comes to government agencies.”
Officials at the Valley Community Clinic, which provides case management for about 180 HIV/AIDS patients, said the money will be used to help clients receive access to public benefits, mental health, food and housing.
“We’re very grateful because we could not provide services without community support,” said Diane Chamberlain, chief operating officer.
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