Avril Lavigne launch her new Foundation: programs for kids with disabilities and their families: Avril Lavigne, award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist, and her foundation - The Avril Lavigne Foundation - will partner with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth with disabilities and serious illnesses.
“I have spent the last six months figuring out how to really focus my philanthropic interests so I can do more and have greater impact,” said Lavigne. “I am always inspired by the personal experiences of people living with a disability or a serious illness and how they work so hard to not be defined by their circumstances. They want what we all want: the chance to pursue their dreams, and to believe that anything in life is possible. I hope The Avril Lavigne Foundation is able to provide support.”
The Avril Lavigne Foundation will partner with Easter Seals, the leading non-profit provider of services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities and other special needs, to identify and fund recreational programs for children and youth, and other programs designed to support families with children with disabilities.
“Recreational programs – opportunities for kids with disabilities to just have fun, make friends and really be a kid – are often the most challenging programs to fund and the first programs cut when resources are limited,” noted James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “We are really excited to partner with Avril to make available to more children with disabilities the kinds of programs that, in our experience, truly provide transformational opportunities.”
“I visited with several organizations when I was developing my Foundation and I was impressed with the range of services Easter Seals provides and how they really work to meet the specific needs of the communities they work with,” said Lavigne. “I’m excited to work with Easter Seals to give children and young people with disabilities the chance to have experiences they might not otherwise have.”
The Avril Lavigne Foundation and Easter Seals will work to define the details of the joint collaboration in the coming months.
The Avril Lavigne Foundation will also continue to support children and youth with serious illnesses through its work with Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.
About Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter. Though most of her philanthropic efforts have been private and anonymous, Avril has publicly supported a number of charitable organizations over the years, including Amnesty International, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, War Child, and YouthAIDS. Avril currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. Avril’s work with children who are seriously ill or who have disabilities inspired her to form The Avril Lavigne Foundation in 2010.
About The Avril Lavigne Foundation
Created by Avril Lavigne, The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S. Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge, and Strength in support of children and youth with disabilities and illnesses. The Avril Lavigne Foundation partners with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth who are sick or have disabilities. More information can be found at www.theavrillavignefoundation.org.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com.
About Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia is a lifelong partner to families managing disabilities and mental health challenges. The nonprofit serves more than 17,500 individuals and their families annually through an array of services. Easter Seals UCP enhances the quality of life for individuals and maximizes their potential for engaging in their communities.
One of Easter Seals UCP’s premier recreational programs is Camp Easter Seals UCP, which is located in New Castle, VA. Camp Easter Seals UCP is designed to offer children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy fun and challenging activities in a supportive and cooperative atmosphere.