Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has provided a grant in the amount of $5,000 to ARCS to support its Client Emergency Fund.

Equity Fights AIDS was founded in October, 1987 by the Council of Actors’ Equity Association. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country was specifically earmarked for The Actors’ Fund’s AIDS Initiative. Broadway Cares was founded in February, 1988 by members of The Producers’ Group. Money raised was earmarked to be awarded to AIDS service organizations across the country, including Equity Fights AIDS. In May, 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares merged to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Board of Trustees of this newly established not-for-profit fundraising organization assumed the missions of the previously separate organizations and continues to fund the social service work of The Actors’ Fund and to award grants twice a year to AIDS service organizations nationwide.

BC/EFA has made contributions to ARCS’ Client Emergency Fund each year since 1999. This Client Emergency Fund (CEF) provides monetary assistance to clients in order to avoid eviction, loss of telephone service, or other crucial services. Our case managers currently work with over 1,000 HIV-positive clients and their families. In many cases, a crisis that is completely unrelated to an illness, i.e., a rent payment, telephone bill, insurance payment or other emergency need, can devastate a person who is attempting to live an independent and healthy lifestyle with dignity. Our staff work to empower clients and assist them in applying for local assistance and government aid, but sometimes entitlements are not available or would arrive too late. The CEF allows us to stabilize their lives and get them back on track.

We greatly appreciate BC/EFA’s support for our clients in need. If you attend a Broadway performance that ends with a collection for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, please give generously and rest assured that those funds do indeed return to your neighbors in crisis.