The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation Launches in Los Angeles to Raise Mental Illness Awareness

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Endowment:

WHAT:		The California Endowment will present a sizable grant to the founders of The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation as it launches to support its mission to fund the arts at mental health agencies and arts organizations that serve the mentally ill. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers is the subject of the highly acclaimed book, “The Soloist,” which has been developed into a soon-to-be released movie by the same name starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx.
WHO:		Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times columnist and author of The Soloist; Jennifer Ayers-Moore, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers’ sister and catalyst for the foundation; Anthony Moore, president & CEO, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation; Ted Sapp, Executive Director, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation; and Robert K. Ross, M.D., president & CEO, The California Endowment.
WHEN:		Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
WHERE:		The California Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, Calif., Room 406.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders. Access to art programs affords people with mental health challenges an avenue for self-expression, and the arts can be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of people with mental health challenges. Steve Lopez and Jennifer Ayers-Moore will provide their first hand experience with the gifted Nathaniel Ayers. In addition to programs that support people with mental illness, there is benefit to amplifying the public discourse in support of erasing stigma associated with mental illness and collectively caring for the mentally ill.

INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS: Steve Lopez, Jennifer Ayers-Moore, Anthony Moore, Ted Sapp and Robert K. Ross and the presentation of an oversized check.