BAP

Audrey Chavez founded and runs Bakersfield's AIDS Project (BAP) a local, grassroots, non-profit dedicated to providing compassionate, quality, housing and services for Kern County persons living with AIDS. BAP was established in memory of Audrey's brother Ricky Montoya who passed away from AIDS in 1993. BAP an all-volunteer organization, provides support groups, nutritional services, transportation needs, referrals, a FREE Camp for children living with AIDS, and HIV/AIDS education and outreach. In response to a void in services, BAP established Ricky's Retreat, Kern County's only hospice/transitional home for persons living with AIDS. Audrey, with the help and support of her husband Martin and family members and volunteers, has been able to assist hundreds of people throughout Kern County. Audrey also recognizes the important role the community has played in proving monetary support, in-kind contributions, and resources to make BAP and Ricky's Retreat available. Audrey has received recognition for two decades of service to Kern County and she shares that recognition with her family and community, as well as the clients she serves. Audrey is a civil rights advocate and humanitarian who supports equality and the LGBT community as well as anti-bullying efforts. Audrey has received numerous awards and certificates of recognition on many levels from local community to the federal government. Audrey is appreciative of the recognition these awards give to the under served populations she loves. One of the treasures Audrey holds dear, is that of a letter she received from Mother Teresa of Calcutta assuring Audrey and her family of her prayers for Audrey's family, Bakersfield's AIDS Project and people with AIDS. In her closing remarks in the letter, Mother Teresa says to remember that "What we do to the least of these, we do to Christ". Bakersfield's AIDS Project is committed to helping others with dignity and compassion. For more information, you can go to www.bakersfieldaidsproject.org or call 661-742-3611