Events2020 Annual MeetingYour AAR staff continues to work toward holding the Annual Meeting in Boston, Nov. 21-24, 2020. We are aware of the uncertainty and contradictory projections related to the COVID-19 pandemic and with health and safety as a priority, we will continue monitoring the guidance of governments and health experts as we plan and make decisions. Should any changes need to be made related to the 2020 Annual Meeting, we will promptly notify you. 2020 Regional MeetingsOpen Registration: All remaining regional meetings for 2020 have been canceled |
Soap/Donation Drive at the Annual Meeting
2018 Soap Drive, DenverThe AAR and SBL have selected the GIVE Center to donate your items to at the 2018 Annual Meeting in Denver. The GIVE Center is a program that leverages contributions, volunteers, and community partnerships to provide essential services to Denver residents in need, including families, foster youth, veterans, disabled seniors, and people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. GIVE Center works with community partners to connect individuals and families to essential hygiene items like diapers, wipes, shampoo, soap, and other hygiene products, as well children’s pajamas. Help us make our sixth annual soap drive an even bigger success! 2017 Sock Drive, BostonOur fifth annual donation drive took place at the 2017 Annual Meetings in Boston where 1,962 pairs of socks (valued at $1,308) were donated to Boston Healthcare for the Homeless: https://www.bhchp.org, where over 12,000 homeless men, women, and children are cared for. These individuals have access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer management to behavior health treatment. Among them are chronically ill adults, veterans, families with school-age children, and the elderly. They are the people who stay in emergency shelters or motel rooms, eat in soup kitchens, or visit drop-in centers. They are also the men and women who find themselves on the streets, trying to survive in makeshift shelters under bridges, down alleyways, and behind city buildings. We thank you for going out of your way to walk to Walgreens to purchase these socks for our friends in need! 2016 Soap Drive, San AntonioOur fourth annual soap drive took place at the 2016 Annual Meetings in San Antonio where 1,216 unused soaps, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletry items were collected to be used by homeless LGBTQ+ individuals in need. The donations went to Thrive Youth Center (http://www.thriveyouthcenter.com), which assists LGBTQ+ young adults ages 18–25 who are experiencing homelessness, along with other homeless LGBTQ+ individuals who they offer services to. Thrive mentors and advocates for young adults, as well as creates individually tailored plans to help these individuals move forward. They provide a fully inclusive and zero-tolerance facility where all individuals can freely and safely express themselves as they work towards self-sufficiency and the possibility of achieving their dreams. Thrive is also starting a street outreach program and your donations will go a long way in helping put together hygiene packs. A huge thank you to our attendees for making an effort to drop off your items to assist those in need! This year far surpassed all previous years and we hope to continue the growth of this project next year. Donations at the 2016 Annual Meetings:
2015 Soap Drive, AtlantaOur third annual soap drive took place at the 2015 Annual Meetings in Atlanta where 387 unused soaps, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletry items were collected to be used by individuals and families in need. Thank you to our attendees for making an effort to drop off your items to assist those in need! The donations went to Our House, which is a childcare and support center for homeless families. Its mission is to break the chain of homelessness by providing quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services for families who are experiencing homelessness. Your donations went to homeless families who reside in shelters or who are in the process of moving into transitional or permanent housing. Donations at the 2015 Annual Meetings:
2014 Soap Drive, San DiegoOur second annual soap drive took place at the 2014 Annual Meetings in San Diego where 227 unused soaps, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletry items were collected to be used by individuals and families in need. Thank you to our attendees for making an effort to drop off your items to assist those in need! The donations went to the Alpha Project, whose mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing work, recovery, and support services to people who are motivated to change their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. The donations will be distributed to the men, women, and children Alpha Project serves each day who are homeless, low income, or formerly incarcerated that struggle with substance abuse disorders, mental illnesses, physical disabilities, and other special needs. Donations at the 2014 Annual Meetings:
2013 Soap Drive, BaltimoreOur inaugural soap drive took place at the 2013 Annual Meetings in Baltimore where 450 unused soaps, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletry items were collected to be used by individuals and families in need. Thank you to our attendees for making the first drive a success! The donations went to the Assistance Center of Towson Churches, which provides emergency food, clothing, shelter, toiletries, and financial help for those in need. The Center primarily used the donated items in family holiday gift bags and bundles for the homeless. Donations at the 2013 Annual Meetings:
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