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The Osito Foundation is a 501(c)(3) providing Teddy Bears to Children & Youth who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. Teddy Bears are known for their positive psychological affect on improving emotional health. The business model used was developed by Co-Founders Rod Castle and Oscar Velasquez. Their passion developed out of their desire to help children, youth and young adults who had their lives impacted by HIV/AIDS.  

Osito Business Model 
Osito has a successful business model. Osito began to Brand itself by hosting events in the Houston, Texas LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender) Community, seventy percent (70%) of all HIV Infections occur in the demographic known as MSM (Male-to-Male Sexual Contact).  Knowing the MSM demo has the highest percentage of HIV infections, Osito felt it was best to begin where HIV exist the most.

Osito addressing The HIV Epidemic
Ositos challenge was to take a poignant situation for millions of people and try to bring something fresh, exciting & uplifting to an ever growing problem in our world-The HIV Epidemic. Osito believed Teddy Bears and children were the way into many people’s hearts. It’s simple but yet very effective in getting people to drop their guards, come out from behind their jaded hearts, and listen to a message about HIV Awareness. Osito saw from its first event, people who were tired of talking about HIV and the ones, who thought it didn’t affect them, began to listen ask questions and  desire be involved.

Osito Events
Osito events have been held in GLBT Owned businesses and were promoted by advertising in the local LGBT Magazine, Social Networks and Posters & Flyers. Osito forged great partnerships with the other leading AIDS Organization in Houston and these synergistic relationships benefited both organizations. After developing partnerships with the AIDS Organizations of Houston, Osito began establishing dozens of relationships with other AIDS Organizations across the United States.

Federal Health Projections estimates because of the new HIV infections in the demographic of 13-24 year olds that the HIV patient volume will increase by 20 to 50 percent nationwide. Minorities, in particular Minority Women are another leader in new HIV infections.    

Osito Medical Symposium
In February 2010, Osito partnered with Lockton, Inc., United Healthcare, and BlueCross BlueShield of Texas to host the first Children’s AIDS Day Medical Symposium where not only children who had been impacted by HIV/AIDS but the family was the focus. Osito assembled an elite team of speakers from the fields of Medicine, Psychology, Legal, Social Services, Political Leaders, Entertainers and HIV/AIDS activists. To deliver a day long conference on how HIV affects children, youth and the family not only in the United States but around the world.

 
Osito International HIV Awareness
Fall 2010 Osito began the process of launching its International HIV Awareness Campaign, which has been a core mission of Osito from the beginning. Osito stepped back and took a look with “New Eyes” at the HIV epidemic over the 30 years and evaluated what was working and was wasn’t working when it came to Prevention, Treatment Planning, HIV Medications, Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV Drug Adherence, Healthy Living, Stigma and Discrimination,  Minorities and Women, Pregnancy, Routine Testing, and Myths about HIV/AIDS.

The advances in medical care, medicines and the ever growing understanding of how to manage HIV, has resulted in HIV positive people are living much longer. Being diagnosed with HIV or finding out that you have AIDS is no longer a death sentence. Treatment of HIV has to some extent become more of a chronic disease much like heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease.

Osito HIV College Fund
The HIV College Fund is about helping the HIV Positive person live independent of the government welfare system and handouts of others. By helping HIV Positive people with job training, vocational training, college education we can lift the burden that HIV/AIDS puts on the social welfare system of every country around the world and give the HIV Positive Person the dignity and respect to advance their training in order to provide for themselves.

"There is no discontinuity with The Golden Rule, no loss of one's Cultural Values/Ideals, but a Symbiotic expansion of the equality of life compatible with traditions of all cultures."  Marilyn Wilhelm 

VelMaur Investments is a privately held company and has choosen to promote, raise awareness, and advocate for children, youth and adults who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.
  For more Information Contact
 Email:  rod@ositofoundation.org  Direct: 281.409.7443