HIV and AIDS

Submitted by ThifahB on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 23:16

the problem:

I want to help others not only as a volunteer at MANNA but also as a nurse in my future career. At MANNA I was able to help prepare foods for those that were suffering from life threatening illnesses (such as cancer or HIV/AIDS).

vital stats:

people impacted:

2,000

people involved:

1,500

why it's important:

This was important to me because I feel people with illnesses that are life threatening need to know they have support. When you’re feeling down it's always great to have someone who cares, and if you have a support team you'll be less likely to fall into depression.

the plan of action:

My plan was to complete at least 40 hours of service at MANNA to support those with life threatening illnesses. I actually completed my goal/plan, I ended up completing 45 hours.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by volunteering at MANNA.

project updates:

Submitted by JustFiyahRedd on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:47

the problem:

Trying to bring the awareness to our community that this disease is out there and is bigger than we know. That it will continue it grow if we don't take action. Showing that it starts with us as a community if we want this and any other movement to be just that a movement. Also to give voices for the voiceless or those who aren't able to speak up. To support our community. There will be an area for the kids to enjoy. Guest speakers. Live DJ. Performances. Basketball tournament. Food and more.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

I was released from prison in July 2011. I felt so bad that I had ltbmyself end up in that kind of place for whatever reasons. I wanted to figure out a way to better my community and myself. I was in one of the release transition classes at the prison, and we had a guest from the health department in Quincy,Fl. He was speaking about HIV and Aids and the things that they had did for their community. And I had already been doing some research on it myself. I wish that I could remember his name because he really gave me that push to do it. When I came home I joined a business with and acquaintance called Desire More Ent. And got the opportunity to bring one of my dreams, goals to life so I did !! This means the world to me and I think it would be just what our community needs as a whole.

the plan of action:

Gathering ppl to register for basketball tourney so we can donate that money
Have contacted vendors to come out and supply food
Have a dJ for event
We have a venue
Have some artist but wanting more submissions should be made before next week
Have mobile unit for free testing
Have guest speakers
Contacting churches, organizations, companies, etc for sponsorship, donations to fund event or towards the cause

how you can get involved:

Set up for day of event, donations, new or gently used toys for kids prizes,

project updates:

78154867_-_copy.jpg

There are more than 33 million people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide. But what's the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

It destroys white blood cells in the body that fight sickness (making people more vulnerable to diseases).
The first case in the US was discovered in the late 1970s, and since then the numbers have skyrocketed.
In 2011 HIV/AIDS related illness was the 6th highest cause of death worldwide, when 30 years ago it didn’t even exist.

121228640.jpg

Young people are at a higher risk of contracting HIV because they are more likely to engage in high-risk behavior, including substance use and unprotected sexual activity.
In 2009 in the U.S., 39% of all new HIV cases were of young people 13 to 29 years old, even though this age range only accounts for 21% of the entire population.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 20-24 year olds had the highest rate of diagnoses of any age group in 2009.
Injection drug users represented 9% of new HIV infections in 2009.

Submitted by roger2286 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:57

the problem:

The Problem im planning to solve is hunger, homelessness, batterd woman, sick, poor, religious pratcie i school, troubled youth etc..

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me cause i hate to see my society go down hill and suffer from poverty. I came from a rough childhood and i know what it feels like not to have nothing i just want to give back and bea ble to help and give back to all.

the plan of action:

My plan to open up more shelter facilities food programs, build more schools and universities, afterschool programs keep kids engaged.

how you can get involved:

I need funding, dedicated people who will help and fight for the cause. Support and a better network to reachout to american society

project updates:

Submitted by bri7232 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:05

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Right now, more than 300,000 Kenyan youth live and work on the streets. Street youth face a life of disease, poverty, exploitation, and violence. Some street youth survive by collecting scrap metal for recycling as well as washing cars, while the more vulnerable turn to theft and prostitution. In Kenya, where education is neither free nor mandatory, many street youth have not completed Primary School let alone Secondary School. Millions of dollars are invested into humanitarian programs that offer food, clothing, and shelter, but they often fail to keep youth off the streets forever. In a country with an unemployment rate of 64% among youth between the ages of 18 and 35, street youth simply cannot compete in the job market.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

In 2008, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to volunteer with an HIV clinic in Mathare, the second largest slum in Kenya. The experience changed my life. Upon my return to the U.S. I changed my major from Biology to International Studies with the determination to go back to Kenya after I graduated.

I graduated in December 2010 and moved to Kenya in March 2011 determined to make a change in the world. Just a few short days after landing in Nairobi I met a former street boy, Wiclif Otieno. Wiclif's story, success, and passion for changing the lives of other street youth through KITO International was very inspiring. We became instant friends.

Wiclif taught me a lot about street life, poverty, and the importance of quality aid. I quickly fell in love with the KITO community and it didn't take long before Wiclif and I joined forces to continue KITO's growth.

the plan of action:

KITO believes that "moving off the streets" means "getting out of poverty." If street youth are given an economic opportunity that enables them to work their way out of poverty and become self-sufficient, they will stay off the streets forever.

Potential KITO youth are referred by partner organizations, recruited by team members, or apply on their own. KITO selects street youth through a participatory interview process. Successful applicants enter a vigorous 2 month training program which covers entrepreneurship, life skills, employability skills, and financial literacy. Upon graduation of KITO's Training Program, KITO youth are offered temporary employment with KITO's social enterprise, EcoSafi, where they learn to make bags from recycled material as well as practice the skills they have learned in a hands-on setting. KITO staff work tirelessly to customize each youth's exit strategy. KITO youth have the option to start their own business, go back to school, or find full-time employment.

how you can get involved:

Spreading the word about KITO International is very important to us. You can help us in these efforts by liking us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kitointernational) or following us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/kitointl). KITO International is always looking for volunteers, interns, and donations to help us achieve our mission. To learn more about us please visit www.kitointernational.org.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by rcarter513 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 21:44

the problem:

I am trying to solve the HIV epidemic. By creating this project I can help people in my community become more aware of what HIV is. As a start I am going to target homeless teens (16-25.)

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me because I know people who have HIV. This is also important to me because I want people to know what HIV/AIDS is.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to talk to some homeless shelters who have youth and hopefully have an event there.

how you can get involved:

Others can help me by donating anything they can give me that is relative to my project.

project updates:

Submitted by Inspiration Men... on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 08:14

the problem:

Poverty, Gangs, Childhood Obesity, Broken Homes, Lack of Education/After School Enrichment/Mentoring/Role Models/Knowledge/Resources. There are several underprivaledged students that turn to gangs and drugs after school because there are no or very few after school programs offered.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me because I've seen several students turn to gangs and drop out of school. So many young ones are underprivileged and forced into negative lifestyles. I take any and all students who want to participate as well as students who are referred by teachers, parents and/or guardians. Typically those students have trouble at home or in school, and I use a one on one tactic to find out what there interests are so I can determine rewards for improvement. A lot of the students I've worked with were caught up in gang life/selling drugs, failing school and not participating in any after school programs because there weren't any offered at their schools. I thought that was one of the main reasons why students were turning to gangs, so I started by mentoring a few boys and they all got out of the gang life and became more focused on school, sports, arts and music. I think students just need the knowledge and opportunities to express there interests and talents to reach their potentials, succeed in high school and beyond.

Obesity is another issue that I have helped students battle. Teaching them how to eat healthier and giving them a work out plan that you motivate them through can do wonders. However, motivation is key and varies from student to student. It might be a work out plan playing basketball, wii fit, skate boarding, hiking or basic lifting/cardio etc. You just have to take the time to figure out what works best for each individual.

the plan of action:

Provide mentoring and after school programs such as Leadership, Music, Sports, Art, Tutoring, Guidance etc. Inspiration Mentoring

Mission Statement: Our goal is to assist students in reaching their fullest potential by offering them one on one mentoring and tutoring as well as several leadership and extracurricular enrichment opportunities they wouldn’t experience otherwise. We focus on students individual interests and reward them when they reach certain goals. Many of our students suffer from broken homes, gangs, obesity, poverty etc. We provide them with the knowledge and resources necessary to overcome these obstacles.

Every student is different, so every approach is different. We develop a, “Success Plan” for every student which includes goals with step by step, day by day, week by week and month by month objectives, so we can measure effectiveness and improvement. No one is turned down and we have a 100% success rate since we’ve started. Students have dropped out of gangs, improved academics and found passion for activities such as music, art, photography, outdoor education, sports, debate etc.

It is our belief that all students have a passion for something and want to learn, it is just a matter of finding out what that passion is and how to motivate each individual. If you can reward a student with an opportunity they’ve never experienced or dreamed of they will do anything to succeed. I have brought students to professional recording studios, vocal lessons, acting auditions/classes, movie sets, mountains for skiing/snowboarding/tubing, youth recognition ceremonies to receive awards I nominated them for, ribbon cutting ceremonies to meet the mayor, community service events and many other places/events all for the first time to show them I care about there individual interests and to earn their respect.

I base every “Success Plan” on a rewards system that students must earn to motivate them to reach their goals. I combat the lack of role models, broken homes, obesity and gang life on a daily basis. However, it’s these situations that keep me passionate and motivated to help. Some people go to third world countries to help better peoples lives, but I have found that are several people in my own community that suffer from some of the hardships. I believe it is my calling to do whatever I can to help and I will stop at nothing to succeed.

I would like to expand across the entire district and eventually state and country. I have a big vision for Inspiration Mentoring and want it to improve the nations education, obesity rate, crime rate and drop out rate. It will start off small in every school and build every year until every school in the area has a program.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by volunteering, mentoring, facilitating, advertising/spreading the word, donating etc.

project updates:

Submitted by maliyah2002 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 10:16

the problem:

I'm trying to solve a basic community problem. I want to educate the youth a find positive ways to keep them motivated with hands on participation from the community itself. Someone needs to take charge in this area to ensure we mold the youth in becoming assets to society and grow up being law abiding citizens with a goal of making this world better in every possible direction because we are losing our youth day by day and it's time to get them back because they are our future and they will have to run this world someday. We do not want to see America go down in flames, so we have to educate our youth.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This project is important to me because I really care about where young people are heading and I feel like if I have an opportunity to make sure I guide thousands of children and teens in the right direction, I would do it. We all have some purpose here on earth and mine is to definitely help people, it's only fair.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to get started writing grant proposals and look for sponsors. From then on, find some land and get started on how to administer this program in Memphis by all means and that includes making all proper notifications to government and filling out the proper paperwork. It won't be easy, but it will be worth the effort.

how you can get involved:

Others can easily help me by simply contacting me by email or visit me on facebook with ideas, connections, or words of wisdom. I can use all the help I can get.

project updates:

1 comment

Submitted by imeverything09 on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 23:35

the problem:

There is a huge population in my community of homeless teens. Run aways, Throw aways, and couch surfers. There is currently no type of "shelter" to help individuals in this age bracket. We have a battered women's shelter which allows children; daughters of any age can stay with their mothers, but sons can only stay up to age 15. A newly single abused mother has enough to deal with without losing part of her family. I can't imagine trying to choose between losing my son, and protecting my other children and myself. However, many women in my community must face this choice everyday, fueling Foster Homes, and DFS workers to place perfectly fine, wonderful kids with total strangers.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me for several reasons. The first being growing up as one of these teens. The second reason it's important is I believe that everyone should be given a chance at success. Not thrown around from home to home, when there should be a place for the WHOLE family to be placed.

the plan of action:

I am currently enrolled in college and am attempting to get a Bachelorette in Social Work, after this I plan on completing my degree to Graduate School and obtaining my Masters. I'm minoring in Spanish due to the large Hispanic Population in the area, and am thinking of double majoring or minoring in Childhood Psychology.

how you can get involved:

n/a