In 2001, Lauren Segal imagined the potential of the international dance community to create social change. Soon after in 2002, Lauren and co-founder, Craig Keys created NextAid to make a tangible and long-term impact in the lives of children suffering as a result of AIDS. Since then, the LA based nonprofit organization has never looked back and have been committed to developing and implementing innovative sustainable solutions to the challenges facing African children in need. Define the need. Within a single generation AIDS has reached pandemic proportions around the world and now over 40 million people live with AIDS. 13.2 million children have been left behind in the aftermath of AIDS, 95% are in Africa alone and every 14 seconds child is faced with losing a parent.

How do they do this? Their method is clear. NextAid gathers resources for projects which diminish the impact of AIDS and create grassroots awareness of AIDS and its effect on the globe. The organization collaborates with individuals, businesses and nonprofits to produce culturally-rich, awareness-raising projects and music events involving technology, the arts, public education projects, and volunteer opportunities.

NextAid projects and programs include youth-led small-scale sustainable development projects such as the recent pilot Kawangware Youth Project.

The Youth With a Vision, a locally created and managed South African non-profit organization committed to making their community of Dennilton a more positive and safe place for youth. Dennilton is a poverty-stricken rural community in Limpopo Province, approximately two hours northeast of Johannesburg.

Another project is The Youth With A Vision Community Center, a mix-use, earth-friendly center in Dennilton, whereby resources can be concentrated, where aid can be effectively and efficiently distributed, where environmental education will be emphasized, and where the youth can reach their individual and collective potential. Construction has been underway since 2005 and currently funds are being raised to continue on to Phase Two and beyond.

The center also contains a beautiful performance space which plays host to the International Peace Tiles Mural Project. NextAid is displaying tiles from workshops in Dakar, Senegal; Rajasthan, India; Phuket, Thailand and Kenya.

And if this is not enough, NextAid uses the beats of our generation to provide hope for the next. They know how to throw a party and they Party With A Purpose. Supported in strength by the dance community, NextAid host a slew of events across the nation that give new meaning to the term “positive vibrations”.

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NextAid partnerships formed to date include KidTribe, Praxis, Radio Afrodicia, Twenty Thousand Drums, Bud Brothers: Monday Night Social, OM Records, Flavor Pill, World-DJ.com, Music2Productions, Fusicology, Uniting Souls, Opel Productions, ESDJCO, Nomadic Wax Records, Afro Funke, Ubiquita NYC, Earthdance, loom, Builders Without Borders, Architecture for Humanity, Architecture for Humanity LA, Steven Lewis Foundation, AEGIS, KAIPPG, ActAlive, UNAIDS, UNICEF DATA - Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa, One Campaign, CALEARTH, Tlholego Village - Sustainable Futures, Arch Builders Across Nations, Coalition for a Sustainable Africa, Green Galactic, StubDog, DubSpot, We-care, Iky Clothing, Nook Bistro and Friends of the UN Coalition4ClearAir, Taking It Global, Soul Beat Africa, The 11th Hour, Global Action for Children, The MML, Giveback and others.

To find out more about NextAid projects, events, methods and how you or your organization can contribute go to their website at www.NextAid.org.