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Los Angeles Shanti Foundation records
Coll2012-164
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Los Angeles Shanti Foundation records
Creator:
Los Angeles Shanti Foundation
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-164
Identifier/Call Number: 433
Physical Description:
3.6 Linear Feet
5 boxes.
Date (inclusive): 1984-2005
Date (bulk): 1990-2003
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.
Language of Material:
English
.
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
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
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.
Donated by Joanne Jackson, January 10, 2008.
[Box/folder #, or item name] Los Angeles Shanti Foundation Records, Coll2012-164, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC
Libraries, University of Southern California
Collection processed by Monica Ramsy and Loni Shibuyama, November 2012.
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.
The following materials have been separated from this collection and cataloged into ONE Archives' collection of periodicals
and programs:
Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos, 14th Anniversary Awards and Installation Banquet program, November 4, 1995
Heartspace newsletters, 1991-1995
LA Shanti Volunteer newsletters, 1995-1997
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS activists -- California -- Los Angeles
AIDS (Disease)
AIDS (Disease) -- Patients, Services for -- California -- Los Angeles County
Community health services -- California