Project Kindle's book, "I Know: Kids from Camp Kindle share their stories of living with HIV/AIDS."
Organization Information:
Organization Name
Project Kindle
Organization's Mission Statement
Improving the quality of life for children, young adults and families through recreational experiences, educational programs, and support services.
Organization Website
Submission Information
Impact Essay
Project Kindle’s mission is to improve the quality of life for kids who are dealing with HIV/AIDS and other life-altering struggles. One of the hardest things for kids with HIV or AIDS to deal with is the stigma they face from society. We knew that if we wanted to help improve the lives of our kids, we would have to find a way to combat this stigma. We decided to create a book and a video that would be provided cost-free to hundreds of schools across the country. We wanted to give our kids a forum to tell their stories, show off their writings, display their artwork, and let their peers in classrooms around America know that even though they had HIV, they were no different than any other kid.
We worked hard compiling the kids’ writings, scanning and editing their artwork, taking thousands of photos, and putting it all together in a book and video combo that we call “I Know: Kids from Camp Kindle share their stories of living with HIV.”
We initially printed 2000 copies of “I Know” that have been distributed to high school health classes in Los Angeles, Chicago, Nebraska, and Colorado. We have also posted a digital version of the book on our website.
The book can be viewed here: http://www.projectkindle.org/iknowbook.html The video can be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/645436
Our book was created entirely in Adobe InDesign. We also utilized Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat to create “I Know”. We acquired these programs through the Adobe and Tech Soup partnership that provided non-profits with very affordable prices for professional software.
There are simply no software alternatives that work as well and as easily as these programs. We know that high-end professional designers use these products as well and we were very grateful to be given the opportunity to utilize the same tools that the professionals use. We would not have been able to use the products without the discount, and we would not have been able to make our book as amazing as it is without the great Adobe programs!
We have put Adobe products to work in a number of other ways as well. Our website for our organization, www.ProjectKindle.org was built with Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver. As was the website for our camping program, www.CampKindle.org. Volunteer designers used Photoshop and Illustrator to create our logo for us.
We know the struggles kids with HIV and AIDS are dealing with, and we know how amazing and brave they are each day. Adobe has helped us share these kids’ stories with the larger world. Because of this pairing of Project Kindle and Adobe, the world is a better place for those living with HIV/AIDS. And it is a safer place, because thousands of American students have access to an educational resource, “I Know” that was created entirely with Adobe products. Thanks Adobe!
URL
http://www.projectkindle.org/iknowbook.html
Submitted by projectkindle on April 15, 2009 - 11:18am