Our Programs
H.E.R.O for Children in Atlanta provides many programs for both kids infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, ranging from life skills training to summer camps. UGA HEROs also provides annual events, such as the HERO Olympics, where HERO kids can experience a day worry free from their disease. The programs and events that H.E.R.O for Children and UGA HEROs provide would not be possible without tons of volunteers. College students who are interested in getting involved can find more information here. Individuals who are not in college can volunteer at the H.E.R.O for Children website. Find more information about all our programs below.
SuperHEROs Mentoring
The Mentors, who we call SuperHEROs, are community volunteers who commit to spending time twice a month with a child for two years. Mentors complete an application, screening process and comprehensive training before they begin mentoring a child. Once matched, the SuperHEROs spend time with the children on their own terms, participating in activities ranging from baking cookies and helping with homework to basketball games and “just hanging out.” Any individual age 22 or older is eligible (as long as s/he meets certain criteria), so for more information call 770-417-1665 extension 310 or 301, email volunteer@heroforchildren.org, or click here to get an application. This truly is a volunteer experience that will impact your life as much as you impact the life of your child.
Rising HERO Life Skills
Children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS face tremendous challenges, many of which are created or intensified by the disease itself. Whether it is anger, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, poor educational performance or feelings of hopelessness, the Rising HERO’s Program unites community volunteers, H.E.R.O. children and trained facilitators to develop the Life Skills necessary for the children to begin to overcome these challenges.
The Rising HERO’s Program consists of 12 monthly sessions designed for children ages 6 – 16 and through innovative teaching methods seeks to achieve the following in children affected by HIV/AIDS:increase self-esteem and self-confidence, develop anger management, problem solving and conflict resolution skills, improve communication skills with other children and with adults, develop good study habits, develop basic financial skills and awareness.
Camp High Five
A typical camper for Camp High Five is HIV infected or affected (has an infected parent, sibling, residential relative or has lost a family member due to HIV/AIDS related complications). The staff and volunteers strive to provide an atmosphere that is free from the worries, fear, stigma and hassles of living with HIV. Youth attending Camp High Five have the opportunity to be around other children with the same life experiences and will not have to feel different or strange. Sometimes, camp may be the first time that these children have been around other children living with HIV. By alleviating the hassles of a chronic illness and removing the stigma, Camp High Five seeks to provide emotional support and recreational fun for HIV affected children living with HIV.
UGA HERO Olympics
UGA HEROs works year-round to raise financial support HERO children from across the state. The organization celebrates at the end of each fundraising year, in December, when hundreds of University of Georgia students host the HERO Olympics for children affected by HIV/AIDS in Georgia. This fun-filled field-day event is held at the University of Georgia campus in Athens and is often the first opportunity for many of the HERO kids to experience a college campus. The event includes games, music, face painting, entertainment, and endless fun.
HERO for a Day
HERO for a Day is H.E.R.O. for Children’s largest annual special event for hundreds of children affected by HIV/AIDS across the state of Georgia. Attended by the University of Georgia football team, this high energy afternoon includes competitive field-day games, jumbo inflatables, obstacle courses, rock walls, and incredible entertainment such as break dancers, sports car shows and frisbee dogs. Every year over 500 volunteers, celebrities, business leaders, volunteers from around the state, and students from numerous Georgia universities come out to celebrate H.E.R.O and its children. They are eager to put on their tennis shoes and become a “HERO for a Day” alongside the children in our HERO programs. The day concludes with each child receiving a gold medal for their strength and courage throughout the day.
Holiday of HEROs
An HIV/AIDS diagnosis for those living in low income families, which is our highest service population, usually comes with great financial difficulty due to healthcare costs and the inability of an infected adult to work consistently. The Holiday of H.E.R.O.’s (H.O.H) program allows us to partner with other AIDS organizations and hospitals in Georgia to provide children with one item they need and one gift they want during the holiday season. Our partner organizations include Jerusalem House, AID Atlanta, and AIDS Athens, as well as pediatric AIDS clinics in Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, and Albany. The majority of children who benefit from this program live in metro Atlanta and its success is largely dependent upon volunteers and sufficient in-kind donations. Last year we were able to present 658 gifts to 329 kids. Our goal this year is to reach at least 360 children