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I was confronted with the fact that my
8-year-old son was infected with the HIV virus during open-heart surgery
that was performed on him. After his diagnosis, I became an AIDS
activist and Executive Director of a non-profit organization. The Joey
DiPaolo AIDS Foundation (JDAF). Joey and I dedicated our lives to
bringing AIDS education and prevention to students of all ages both on
Staten Island and nationally. JDAF also supports summer camp programs
specifically for teens with HIV/AIDS called Camp TLC -Teens Living a
Challenge. As a non-profit organization, grant writing is an
essential way of receiving financial support. Prior to being referred to
SCORE, JDAF sent out over 90 grant proposal letters to funding sources and
had a zero success rate. Not one chose to financially support our cause.
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After much frustration, I was referred to
SCORE to request assistance in
the grant writing process. At the Staten Island Chapter, I was introduced
to a SCORE counselor, who patiently advised me on the most effective way
to write a grant. After much SCORE guidance, the grant proposal was
submitted and four more grants followed. Our success rate was five out of
five grant requests that were funded. Our HIV/AIDS program had a
successful first year.
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