Los Angeles Shanti Foundation records, 1984-2005, bulk 1990-2003

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Summary

Creators:
Los Angeles Shanti Foundation
Abstract:
Meeting minutes, reports, photographs and negatives, videocassettes, publicity material, publication editorial materials, public service announcement production records, Spanish-language material, trophies, a floppy disk and other administrative records (1984-2005) from the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, the first group in Southern California to provide direct services to people with AIDS. Founded in 1983, LA Shanti was a non-profit relief organization that provided emotional support groups and services for those suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS.
Extent:
3.6 Linear Feet 5 boxes.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Los Angeles Shanti Foundation Records, Coll2012-164, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of meeting minutes, reports, photographs and negatives, videocassettes, publicity material, publication editorial materials, public service announcement production records, Spanish-language material, trophies, a floppy disk and other administrative records (1984-2005) from the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, the first group in Southern California to provide direct services to people with AIDS. The materials document LA Shanti's activities from 1984-2003. The majority of the materials were created or collected by Paul Lerner who served on staff in various capacities, including public relations and development.

The General Administration Series comprises administrative records, photographs, trophies and a floppy disk that document LA Shanti's many activities, particularly public relations, fundraising, and event planning. The Videocassettes Series includes VHS, Betacam and U-matic cassettes produced by and about LA Shanti. This series includes public service announcements produced by LA Shanti.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1983 by a group of dedicated volunteers, the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, or LA Shanti, was the first group in Southern California to provide direct services to people with AIDS. This non-profit relief organization provided emotional support groups and services for those suffering from the effects of the AIDS/HIV crisis. With a particular emphasis on minority groups from socioeconomically troubled backgrounds and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community, LA Shanti sought out the marginalized in a time of great confusion and tragedy. The name "shanti," which loosely translates from Sanskrit as "inner peace through understanding," emblematized the organization's mission: of providing a compassionate, accepting environment and support network for people with HIV/AIDS.

LA Shanti offered programs that targeted individuals suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS, as well as the family, friends, and lovers who suffered by proxy. Some of the particular programs provided by LA Shanti included weekly on-going support groups for HIV-positive men and women, significant others, serodifferent couples, multiple loss, HIV-negative people, Spanish-language speakers, lesbians living with life-threatening Illness; one-to-one counseling opportunities; and monthly HIV forums. Education, in preventative as well as recuperative care, was also a central focus at LA Shanti.

Some staple LA Shanti events included Los Angeles Shanti Hug Day, a "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" benefit series, a wine tasting and auction series, anniversary celebrations, and the annual "Hug-A-Hunk" event series. Through the orchestrated efforts of physicians, caring volunteers, administrative workers, celebrities, and universities, LA Shanti possessed a $1.5 million annual budget, over 35 full-time staff and hundreds of volunteers at the peak of its activity.

LA Shanti ended its operations in 2006.

Source: Los Angeles Shanti Foundation Records, Coll2012-164, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Acquisition information:
Donated by Joanne Jackson, January 10, 2008.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Monica Ramsy and Loni Shibuyama, November 2012.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Los Angeles Shanti Foundation Records, Coll2012-164, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
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