Milestones
History and Mission
History and Mission The River Fund is dedicated to providing direct care services to people in need, including spiritual and educational support to people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and caregivers, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. We began working in Florida and Los Angeles in the 1980’s, as HIV/AIDS was running rampant. Starting in 1999, we began international programs, and currently support community development projects in Africa and India from 2005-2018 when we ended our work in India.
Florida Achievements
- Developed and operated an 8-bed respite for 8 years, caring for adults with HIV/AIDS; funded and volunteered at Mary’s House, caring for babies and children with HIV/AIDS.
- Feed Everyone Program: Since 1990 local volunteers have offered direct help, such as hospital visits, food for the needy and school supplies.
- Partnership with Kingdom Church, Gifford, Florida. Twice-monthly meals and food pantry in the neighborhood with the highest incidence of HIV and poverty in our county.
- Partnership with Stamp Out Hunger, national food drive sponsored by U.S. Postal Service; We distribute donated food locally.
- Grantee spotlight - Broadway Cares.
International Achievements - Africa and India
- Provided technical, program, and financial support to Ma's Centre, Tororo, Uganda supporting 1400 OVC and runs secondary schools, kindergartens, and programs for women and elders. (2000-2021).
- Sponsored and developed training for rural women. (Since 2005).
- Raised funds for children’s projects in the townships of Cape Town, SA. (1999-2003).
- Supported a home for 45 AIDS orphans in India 2005 - 2018.
- Partnerships for development, women’s empowerment, nutrition, HIV/AIDS Long Term Survival Skills in war ravaged N Uganda (one million internally displaced refugees returning to their home – Since 2004).
Organizational Affiliations
- Presented at the XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto Canada. Abstract Title: Community, Church and Children: Breaking the Cycle of HIV/AIDS.
- UNGASS: United Nations Global Assembly Special Session on AIDS; Accredited Civil Society Organization participating in High Level Meeting at the UN 2016, 2011, 2008, 2006, and 2001.
- Worked with AIDS Treatment Access to collect and distribute AIDS medications to people in Africa and the Caribbean (1999-2000).
- Hosted AIDS Empowerment Treatment International (AIDSETI) conference, 2001.
- As a chapter of Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, facilitated AIDS education to schools, churches, prisons and the local community; helped take the Quilt to Africa for the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1999.
