WHY PROJECT KINDLE?
After our very first Pride IDOL competition, we asked our winner, Misty Price (Stokes) ~ Pride IDOL 2004, to choose a charity that we could support through the annual Pride IDOL Competition. Having recently visited Camp Kindle in August of 2004, Misty chose this amazing organization as the one that we would support. After educating ourselves about Camp Kindle, we knew what we needed to do. The mission of the Diamond Foundation was changed to reflect our new path as a nonprofit organization, to fully support the Kids of Project Kindle year round!
WHAT IS PROJECT KINDLE?
Project Kindle, formerly known as Camp Kindle, was established in August of 1998. Eva Payne, the Founder and Executive Director saw a need and decided to fill it. There were very few programs being offered for youth infected or affected by HIV or AIDS, especially in the Midwest. The organization began by serving children and adolescents through a cost free, one-week summer camping session held in Nebraska for children in the Central U.S. Camp Kindle continues to offer this therapeutic, recreational and educational session annually. In 2005, Camp Kindle expanded to another location in Southern California serving youth who live in the Western U.S. Each week long session serves up to 100 young people every summer.
Learn more about Camp Kindle here.
In 2004, the organization began its peer-to-peer speakers' bureau known as SPEAK OUT. This program was developed out of the desires of the Camp Kindle's participants to share their stories with the general public, especially other young people in hopes to reduce stigma and raise awareness. Today SPEAK OUT reaches thousands of students both in the United States and Internationally.
Learn more about Speak Out here.
The Students Affected by AIDS Scholarship Fund (Kindle Scholarships) was created to support young people impacted by HIV or AIDS who wanted to attend post high school education. The scholarship helps to cover books and tuition.
Learn more about the Kindle Scholarships here.
The "i know" Initiative completed its first phase in 2008 with the completion of the `i know' book and DVD. The book is a compellation of Camp Kindle participants’ stories, photos, and drawings. The DVD focuses on one camper’s story as he tells it during a week of camp. This free resource is made available to health educators and students around the world.
The "i know" Initiative completed its second phase in 2009 with the completion of the `i know' website. It's simple really, the website is geared toward young people - complete with knowledge that they will understand. By knowing someone with HIV, the more likely they are to know about HIV. And the more they know about HIV, the less likely they are to get the disease. The site isn't just about learning about HIV. It's about learning from one another.
Learn more about "i know" here. You can view the "i know" book here.
Kindle Ranch will be a unique camping and retreat facility specially designed for children and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Project Kindle, the nonprofit managing Kindle Ranch, will work in partnership with special needs groups to provide a range of fun and therapeutic programs in a barrier-free, green environment.
Kindle Ranch will be built to accommodate children of all abilities. It will feature wide, paved walkways to assist wheelchair travel and special equipment to enable maximum participation in program and physical activities. It will also host a state-of-the-art health center at the heart of the camp, and available to campers requiring daily treatment or medication. All buildings and restrooms will be fully accessible and the camp facility will accommodate at least 250 guests for overnight stays.
Kindle Ranch will also be built green, which will open the eyes of the campers and communities about sustainable living possibilities and the importance of caring for our environment!
Learn more about Kindle Ranch here
Today, the organization provides two week-long summer camping programs, semi-annual mini camping sessions, year round support, holiday and birthday recognition, scholarships, HIV/AIDS awareness/education, and mentorship. The AIDS epidemic has affected the lives of more than one million people within the United States. There are over 40,000 new infections every year, half of which occur in people 25 years old and younger (CDC, 2007). Also, according to current statistics, two young people are infected with HIV/AIDS every hour. Eva Payne founded the organization because of the many needs associated with HIV/AIDS infection. Eva now oversees all programming for the organization and serves as the Executive Director. She works closely with employees, a committed volunteer staff, Board of Directors, and a Parent Advisory Board to provide programs that meet the ever-growing needs of those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
All of the programs that Project Kindle offers are cost free to the participants.
Brryan Jackson, is one of Camp Kindle's most amazing campers.
His story is one that will shock you, anger you and bring a tear to your eye!
- Omaha World Herald - June 2009 Article
- Teen Nick Halo Award Winner
- Associated Press Article - June 2009
- People Magazine Feature - September 2010
Project Kindle documents to download:
- Camp Kindle Info Packet
- Parent's Manual
- Camper Registration Form
- Camper Release
- Counselor in Training (CIT) Application
- Returning Staff Application
- Camp New Staff Application
- Camp Volunteer Application
- Letter of Recommendation for Camp Staff
- Camp Kindle Donation Form