YouthAIDS

Last updated
Founder Kate Roberts
TypeEducational charity
56-0942853
FocusHIV/AIDS
Location
  • 1120 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
    Washington, DC 20036
Origins Population Services International
Area served
global
Serviceshumanitarian aid
Key people
 Ashley Judd
Website psi.org/youthaids

YouthAIDS is an international nongovernmental, nonprofit education, funding, and health initiative of Population Services International (PSI) that provides humanitarian assistance and brings global awareness to the proliferation of HIV/AIDS. The organization is based in Washington, D.C., and reaches out to 600 million youth (ages 15–24) in over 60 countries through the delivery of information, products, and social services. Methods used to address issues include film, television, and radio; celebrity spokespersons; pop culture initiatives; theatrical productions; music; and sports. Actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd serves the organization as their Global Ambassador.

Contents

Population Services International and YouthAIDS partners with nongovernmental organizations and corporate entities throughout the world to develop HIV/AIDS training and awareness programs, along with opportunities for humanitarian service on global scale. Each year, YouthAIDS honors individuals that have provided exceptional humanitarian service that brings awareness to the reality of HIV/AIDS. Past recipients of the YouthAIDS Outstanding Achievement Award have included Sir Richard Branson, Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Judy McGrath, Nancy Pelosi, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator Richard Lugar, and Bob Geldof. [1] [2]

History

In the early 1990s, YouthAIDS founder Kate Roberts moved to Moscow, where she focused on launching the Russian version of Cosmopolitan magazine. [3] Her work took her to Romania, where she created a global HIV/AIDS prevention marketing campaign that, Roberts said, "increased condom use by 100 percent in the first year". [4] In 1999, while on vacation in South Africa, Roberts became aware of the high mortality rate in the country due to HIV/AIDS. One in four girls in the country were found to have contracted HIV or AIDS by age 14. Roberts recognized that the strategies that she had put in place in her Romanian campaign could be successfully applied on a global scale. In 2001, with a handful of PSI supporters, the YouthAIDS campaign was established as an initiative of Population Services International. [4]

Corporate partnerships

ALDO Shoes

In 2005, YouthAIDS partnered with Aldo Shoes to produce a public awareness and marketing campaign, entitled "Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil". Through the sale of empowerment tags and lapel pins featured in ads with celebrities, ALDO has generated more than $10 million through this campaign, reaching 1.5 billion people in 25 countries. The print campaign encompassed black and white images of well-known individuals photographed by Peter Lindbergh. Celebrities that have participated in the print campaign include Christina Aguilera, Salma Hayek, Cindy Crawford, Penélope Cruz, LL Cool J, Elijah Wood, Josh Lucas, and Ashley Judd. [5] [6] [7]

H&M – Fashion Against AIDS

H&M's Fashion Against AIDS campaign was launched in 2008. Since their inception, they have raised over $6.5 million for HIV/AIDS prevention programs. The campaign supports HIV/AIDS awareness projects through the donation of 25 percent of the sales price of all Fashion Against AIDS garments. YouthAIDS is one of the international charities that are supported by the campaign. They have used the donations from the campaign to support a youth center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; and establish a partnership with an organization in Mozambique that offers peer education for young men, along with counseling and HIV testing. Funds have also gone to create an HIV/AIDS and drug prevention program in Yekaterinburg, Russia, for high-risk youth. [8] [9]

Kiehl's

Over the course of ten years, Kiehl's, an American premium cosmetics company, has served as a major contributor of YouthAIDS, providing financial support, while developing educational programs that encourage philanthropy. In 2002 and 2005, the company reintroduced products and launched a limited edition hand and body cleanser, donating all profits to YouthAIDS. [10] Kiehl's participated in the 15th Annual International AIDS Conference, held in 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand. YouthAIDS and Kiehl's partnered to host an educational event to present the realities of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Working with Asian media, they have distributed information about HIV/AIDS throughout the country. In 2006, Kiehl's established a fundraising program to encourage philanthropy among college students. The incentive campaign brought in over $50,000, by rewarding students for developing individual funding programs that raised a minimum of $1,000 for YouthAIDS. The following year, Kiehl's created a Shop for Cause program that took place at Kiehl's stores throughout the US. The program resulted in the donation of 100 percent of the net profits from all sales that took place on World AIDS Day. In 2008, Kiehl's donated 100 percent of their net profits from the sale of a specific product to YouthAIDS and other AIDS-related charities around the world. [10]

MTV and Levi Strauss & Co.

In 2002, MTV's Staying Alive Foundation and Levi Strauss & Co., in partnership with YouthAIDS, produced two concerts entitled, "Staying Alive". The concerts were produced through the financial support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Both Population Services International and UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS), provided expertise and knowledge on the realities of HIV/AIDS. Performers included Missy Elliott, P Diddy, Michelle Branch, Dave Matthews, and Alicia Keys. One concert took place in Seattle on November 7, 2002, while the other was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 23, 2002. The concerts were edited and broadcast simultaneously as a 90-minute special on December 1, 2002 (World AIDS Day), in 170 countries and featured on all major news channels in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Canada, Russia, and the US. [1] [11]

Roberto Coin

In 2005, Italian jewelry designer, Roberto Coin, designed a diamond-studded charm bracelet, entitled "YouthAIDS bracelet", to benefit YouthAIDS and their efforts to address and prevent the proliferation of AIDS in Africa. In subsequent years, he created additional charms to support the organization, donating half of all profits to YouthAIDS. Regarding his support, he said, "I created the charm and bracelet because they are both a statement of something personal. There is a meaning behind every charm one wears. I was very impressed by the efforts that YouthAIDS has made for the prevention of the disease in Africa and I wanted to assist in their fight against AIDS." [12] [13]

Cartier

In 2006, Cartier began designing the LOVE Charity bracelet, which is an exclusive version of their solid gold Love bracelet. The LOVE Charity bracelet is designed on behalf of charities throughout the world. Each charity version is designed with a different colored silk cord attached to a golden ring and inscribed with the word LOVE. The cord color of the bracelet purchased determines which of 24 charities receives a $150 contribution from the total cost of each bracelet. Each of the 24 different styles of bracelets are represented by a well-known celebrity. The proceeds from the sale of LOVE charity bracelets with maroon cords are donated to YouthAIDS, supported by actress and YouthAIDS Global Ambassador Ashley Judd. [14]

Ambassadors

Notable supporters

Documentary

Four award–winning documentaries aired on December 1, 2006, on TLC, [22] VH1, The Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Channel aimed at raising awareness about the global HIV/AIDS crisis, while they follow YouthAIDS Global Ambassador Ashley Judd through the most afflicted areas of Africa, Central America and India.

Ashley Judd and YouthAIDS: Confronting the Pandemic airs on World AIDS Day and chronicles Judd's journey (along with fellow YouthAIDS ambassador, actress Salma Hayek) through communities in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua that have been devastated by HIV/AIDS. Judd told reporters that during the shooting of the documentary both she and Hayek were able to come face to face with the disease in hospices, clinics, brothels, and slums. Additional films include India's Hidden Plague on the National Geographic Channel and Tracking the Monster – Ashley Judd and India.Arie Confront AIDS in Africa , presented by VH1 News.

Honors and awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Judd</span> American actress (born 1968)

Ashley Judd is an American actress. She grew up in a family of performing artists, the daughter of country music singer Naomi Judd and the half-sister of country music singer Wynonna Judd. Her acting career has spanned more than three decades, and she has become heavily involved in global humanitarian efforts and political activism. Judd made her television debut in 1991 with a guest role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and her film debut in 1992's Kuffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World AIDS Day</span> International day on 1 December

World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV virus attacks the immune system of the patient and reduces its resistance to other diseases. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations, and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief</span> United States governmental initiative

The United States President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a United States governmental initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from the disease. Launched by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2003, as of May 2020, PEPFAR has provided about $90 billion in cumulative funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research since its inception, making it the largest global health program focused on a single disease in history until the COVID-19 pandemic. PEPFAR is implemented by a combination of U.S. government agencies in over 50 countries and overseen by the Global AIDS Coordinator at the United States Department of State. As of 2023, PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red ribbon</span> Awareness colored symbol

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Product Red</span> Brand that engages firms to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Africa

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HIV.gov, formerly known as AIDS.gov, is an internet portal for all United States federal domestic HIV and AIDS resources and information. On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched AIDS.gov. The site contains content and links that guide users to their desired information.

The very high rate of human immunodeficiency virus infection experienced in Uganda during the 1980s and early 1990s created an urgent need for people to know their HIV status. The only option available to them was offered by the National Blood Transfusion Service, which carries out routine HIV tests on all the blood that is donated for transfusion purposes. The great need for testing and counseling resulted in a group of local non-governmental organizations such as The AIDS Support Organisation, Uganda Red Cross, Nsambya Home Care, the National Blood Bank, the Uganda Virus Research Institute together with the Ministry of Health establishing the AIDS Information Centre in 1990. This organization worked to provide HIV testing and counseling services with the knowledge and consent of the client involved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Roberts (YouthAIDS)</span>

Kate Roberts is a British human rights advocate and humanitarian. She works on a global scale to develop programs and services which target malaria, child survival, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, reproductive health, and non-communicable disease. She is the co-founder of Maverick Collective, together with Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway and Melinda French Gates, The Body Agency, and YouthAIDS and Five & Alive, subsidiaries of Population Services International (PSI), where she served as Senior Vice President.

Staying Alive is an MTV international initiative to encourage HIV prevention, promote safer lifestyle choices and fight the stigma and discrimination that fuels the HIV epidemic. Staying Alive is the world's largest HIV mass media awareness and prevention campaign in the world. It produces TV programming in the form of concerts, documentaries, public service announcements, TV film, film competitions, and others. It also has a website with celebrity content talking about safe sex.

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M∙A∙CAIDS Fund (M·A·F) is a public charity established in 1994 to support people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. It donates funds to communities and organizations that offer services to people with HIV/AIDS and help to prevent the disease through educational programs. The fund is financed entirely by the sale of MAC Cosmetics' VIVA Glam products.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Five & Alive</span> Organization

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Chittick</span> American AIDS activist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piya Sorcar</span> American social entrepreneur and researcher

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Medical Mission Board</span>

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Kate Roberts". The Aspen Institute. Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  2. ↑ "Event Management | Qorvis Communications, LLC". Qorvis.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  3. ↑ The Washington Post: A Consuming Cause [ permanent dead link ], Population Services International (2004), Retrieved 2012-06-27
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kathleen Toner (2007-10-31). "CNN Heroes: Fighting AIDS with Ashley Judd - CNN". Articles.cnn.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.[ dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "ALDO and YouthAIDS". Aldoshoes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  6. ↑ "Shop ALDO Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Handbags & Accessories". Aldoshoes.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  7. ↑ "AIDS awareness campaign from ALDO and YouthAIDS print". adland.tv. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "YouthAIDS Media & Events". PSI. 2008-10-03. Archived from the original on 2012-01-23. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  9. ↑ "Fashion-Against-Aids". About.hm.com. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  10. 1 2 "Kiehl's Since 1851 - Skin Care, Body, Men, Hair, Gifts & More". Kiehls.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  11. ↑ "* S H O U T O U T N E W S * More Stories : Missy Elliott Says "Work It"…with a Condom:MTV Concert Promotes Safer Sex". Shoutoutnews.org. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  12. ↑ "Roberto Coin designs 'YouthAIDS bracelet'". UPI.com. 2005-07-30. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  13. 1 2 "Wynonna Official Website :: News". Wynonna.com. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  14. ↑ Freydkin, Donna (2006-06-26). "Celebs share the 'LOVE' and proceeds". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  15. ↑ "Off the Mat and Into the World". Yoga Journal. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  16. 1 2 From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Colombia: Juanes Named YouthAIDS Ambassador". TheBody.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  17. ↑ "Portraits". Todaysportraits.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Actors for YouthAIDS". YouTube. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  19. ↑ "Biography of CoCo Lee : The Wharton Global Alumni Forum-Hong Kong". Whartonhongkong07.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  20. ↑ "Ludacris Tapped As Ambassador For YouthAids, Embarks On Speaking Tour". Dirtysouthrap.com. 2006-11-10. Archived from the original on 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  21. ↑ Woollard, Deidre (2005-07-31). "Roberto Coin Youth AIDS Bracelet". Luxist.com. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  22. ↑ "TLC :: YouthAids: Confronting the Pandemic". Tlc.discovery.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  23. ↑ "Media Contact: Andrea Atkins" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-03-23.
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