International Bear Rendezvous 2008 Beneficiaries:
The IBR Beneficiaries Committee is proud to announce the selection of our three IBR Beneficiaries:
Lyon Martin Women’s Health Services: Founded in 1979, Lyon Martin's mission is to provide personalized health care and support services to women and transgendered people who lack access to quality health care because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, regardless of their ability to pay. Historically, we have had a niche serving lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LBT) patients--who often avoid health care for fear of discrimination. No other community clinic in the Bay Area is replicating our targeted services and no other LBT organization is providing direct care. More than 86% of our patients are uninsured, 90% have an income level below 200% of the federal poverty level, 32% are people of color, and 20% are homeless.Bay Positives: The mission of Bay Area Young Positives is to help young people (26 and under) living with HIV/AIDS live longer, happier, healthier, more productive, and quality-filled lives. The goals of Bay Positives are to work with individual HIV positive young people to (1) decrease their sense of isolation (2) reduce self-destructive behaviors, and (3) advocate for themselves in a complicated HIV/AIDS care systems.
Rainbow World Fund: Founded in 2000, Rainbow World Fund is an international relief agency based in the LGBT and friends community. RWF's Mission is to promote LGBT philanthropy in the area of world humanitarian relief. RWF works to help people who suffer from hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and war by raising awareness and funds to support relief efforts around the world. Currently,our work focuses on global HIV/AIDS, water development, landmine eradication, hunger, and disaster relief. RWF currently supports projects in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the US (New Orleans). RWF provides a united voice, a large visible presence, and a structure to deliver LGBT charitable assistance to the larger world community.