Saturday, December 11, 2010

How You Can Make a Difference to Those with Mental Illness this Holiday Season

Dear friends:

Just a few years ago Nathaniel Anthony Ayers was homeless on Skid Row in LA…his only musical instrument, a violin with only two strings. He suffers from schizophrenia.

Yet, last summer, Nathaniel traveled to Washington, DC, met President Barack Obama, and gave a concert on the South Lawn of the White House for the 20th anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act.

What a different life he leads since he was “discovered” by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez. If you’ve read Steve’s book, The Soloist, or seen the movie based on the book, you know the power of having someone care and be a friend, having access to musical instruments in good condition, and receiving music lessons, encouragement, and respect from professional musicians who recognize and nurture talent. The tremendous love, support and acceptance that Nathaniel now enjoys gives him unfettered access to the one drug that truly soothes his soul, his music.

Nathaniel was incredibly lucky to have that chance encounter with Steve Lopez that day in Pershing Square. 

Most others won’t be so lucky.

That’s why your help is so critical to give the other “Nathaniels” out there the chance to have their gifts seen, heard and felt by the public.

Where will the the mentally challenged get the musical instruments, art supplies and mentorship they so desperately need?

From YOU!

With your generous support, The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation will provide artistically-gifted men, women and children with varying degrees of mental illness much-needed resources and a safe place to practice.

Through our partnership with Mercy Housing we have developed a program called “Nathaniel’s Place.” The initial pilot programs will open in the spring in Los Angeles and Atlanta at Mercy’s beautifully-maintained housing properties.

As 2010 comes to a close and you are making important decisions about your year-end tax-deductible gifts, please consider The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation.

The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation to support Nathaniel’s Place is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We are asking you to contribute generously to NAAF before December 31, 2010.

We’ve made it easy for you to donate to NAAF. Click here to donate.

Thank you for your support in the past, and in the future. Nathaniel’s Place will be a success thanks to your generous support.

Have a safe and Blessed Holiday Season.

Ted Sapp

Executive Director

The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation