Sue and Bill Gross Extend Support to AIDS Services Foundation's SOMOS HIV/AIDS Prevention Program

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) received a $50,000 gift today from the William and Sue Gross Family Foundation. The gift, given in honor of the 28 years of service of ASF founding board members Al Roberts and Ken Jillson, is designated in support of SOMOS, an ASF program that focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention among young, Hispanic men.

"ASF is extremely thankful for the continued support of our HIV prevention efforts in at-risk communities by Sue and Bill Gross," said Philip Yaeger, executive director/CEO of ASF.  "The William and Sue Gross Family Foundation gift will allow ASF's SOMOS group to continue their outreach to at-risk, young, Hispanic men, promoting a strong message of prevention and early detection.  This will reduce the incidence of HIV in that community and increase the healthy behaviors of the participants, their family and friends, and the community as a whole."

The SOMOS Latino HIV Education and Outreach Program was developed with and for young, monolingual, Spanish-speaking men aged 18-29, and is designed to reverse the escalating scale of HIV infection among the Latino population.  SOMOS (a Spanish word meaning "We Are") seeks to mobilize these men to shape a healthier community for themselves and others, build positive social connections, and support and promote safer sex among Latinos in Orange County.  The program also provides leadership skills, education, and skills to successfully negotiate self-help practices.
    
ASF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 by a small group of dedicated volunteers.  Annually, the agency assists more than 1,600 men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.  In addition to HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs, ASF also provide nutrition, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, mental health counseling and HIV testing.  Donations are accepted online at www.ocasf.org, by mail at 17982 Sky Park Circle, Ste J, Irvine, CA 92614, or by calling the agency at (949) 809-5700.  To learn more about ASF and its HIV/AIDS programs go to www.ocasf.org.