Why Friends In Deed?
What is Friends in Deed?
Since 1991, Friends has helped transform many thousands of lives through its programs and services. They provide emotional support for anyone with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, cancer or other life-threatening physical illnesses... their family, friends, and caregivers... and anyone dealing with grief and bereavement. They also run a major HIV prevention program for teens in NYC public schools. For a more detailed description of the organization, please visit their website.
Connection to Rent
When considering which non-profit organization to choose for the Rent Fans Give Back project, one of the most important considerations was a connection to the themes and messages present in the musical.
FID connects to Rent on a general level as an organization which provides services to individuals with life-threatening illnesses--individuals like some the characters depicted in Rent who are struggling with HIV. FID is also directly connected to Rent through Rent's creator, Jonathan Larson. Mr. Larson attended FID meetings in support of some of his friends with HIV and AIDS and used the group as his inspiration for the life support group seen in the musical and film versions of Rent. Also, most the actors and crew members from various Rent productions are familiar with FID.
Furthermore, FID works directly with individuals in the New York area where the musical is based. One of Mr. Larson's goals was to raise awareness of some of the major societal problems in New York City at the time including the often poor treatment of people with life-threatening illnesses like HIV. FID continues to educate the public about important health topics and to provide valuable mental and physical health services to anyone who needs it. They also provide many with a sense of connection and a support community such as that depicted in Rent.
Because of these connections, we feel raising money for FID would be a meaningful gift to honor those involved in the current tour of Rent and also those who have participated in the show in past productions.
FID connects to Rent on a general level as an organization which provides services to individuals with life-threatening illnesses--individuals like some the characters depicted in Rent who are struggling with HIV. FID is also directly connected to Rent through Rent's creator, Jonathan Larson. Mr. Larson attended FID meetings in support of some of his friends with HIV and AIDS and used the group as his inspiration for the life support group seen in the musical and film versions of Rent. Also, most the actors and crew members from various Rent productions are familiar with FID.
Furthermore, FID works directly with individuals in the New York area where the musical is based. One of Mr. Larson's goals was to raise awareness of some of the major societal problems in New York City at the time including the often poor treatment of people with life-threatening illnesses like HIV. FID continues to educate the public about important health topics and to provide valuable mental and physical health services to anyone who needs it. They also provide many with a sense of connection and a support community such as that depicted in Rent.
Because of these connections, we feel raising money for FID would be a meaningful gift to honor those involved in the current tour of Rent and also those who have participated in the show in past productions.
Making a Direct Impact
Another consideration was the size of the non-profit. Although organizations like Equity Fights Aids and the Jonathan Larson Grants run by the American Theater Wing are worthy causes, they are well-known national non-profits which already receive a large number of donations from people in the theater community. By donating to a smaller (although still well-known and reputable) organization like Friends in Deed, the donation money has the ability to make a larger impact within an organization.
In addition, many of the larger Rent-related non-profits support projects like AIDS and HIV research--valuable endeavors that are meant for helping people in the long run. Friends In Deed devotes much of its money to directly impacting the lives of individuals right now. For a list of the amount of money needed for each service provided by Friends In Deed, please see the FID website.
In addition, many of the larger Rent-related non-profits support projects like AIDS and HIV research--valuable endeavors that are meant for helping people in the long run. Friends In Deed devotes much of its money to directly impacting the lives of individuals right now. For a list of the amount of money needed for each service provided by Friends In Deed, please see the FID website.
