Aileen Getty

Aileen Getty was born and raised in Italy, but has called Los Angeles home for most of her adult life, raising two sons here. Over the past 25 years Aileen has brought her own experience with life’s challenges into her community by personally engaging her spirit, energy, knowledge, time, and resources in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. Aileen’s affinity and compassion for individuals living in challenging circumstances is at the center of her life.

In 2005, Aileen founded Gettlove, a nonprofit organization created to acknowledge and house the numerous homeless individuals who are part of the Hollywood community. Gettlove’s innovative and effective “companionship” approach to case management and counseling helps individuals to secure and maintain housing and to navigate the complexities of available services.

A powerful guiding principle Aileen established at Gettlove is instilling a sense of belonging through personal relationships with those it serves. As a result of Gettlove’s efforts, by itself and in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations and government agencies, an increasing number of individuals are moving from chronic homelessness into permanent housing. Aileen is a powerful partner in Hollywood’s determination to create a community that embraces all of its members in peace and harmony.

In pursuit of her desire to facilitate and foster enhanced community, Aileen has also contributed to the acquisition and creation of public space in our neighborhood’s landscapes in which all can find a sense of belonging. In 2010, the land adjacent to the Hollywood Sign (called Cahuenga Peak) was added to Griffith Park due, in part, to Aileen’s donation. Additionally, Aileen’s financial and civic support has helped strengthen the Trust for Public Land’s efforts to create small parks throughout Los Angeles. Her contribution to the Friends of the Hollywood Central Park allowed the organization to fund the crucial Environmental Impact Report. Aileen serves on various local nonprofit boards including Gettlove, the Center at Blessed Sacrament, the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, and Step Up on Second. She is also an Ambassador to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.