THE SOLAR PROJECT
Help For Orphans International, 2009
Help for Orphans International is a non-profit organization which provides superior education facilities and materials for orphans around the world. HFOI’s work has been predominantly focused in Kenya and now increasingly in Haiti.
The Solar Project was developed to assist a school and orphanage outside Kisii Town, Kenya. People Reaching Out provided financial assistance to Help For Orphans International to create a sustainable and renewable energy platform by outfitting the living quarters and school with solar energy resources to provide electricity.
“The Help for Orphans International School in Kisii, Kenya was recently
ranked #4 out of 270 schools for academic achievement.”
The Holistic Urology Project Columbia University Medical Center Department of Urology, The Center for Holistic Urology, 2009
People Reaching Out’s commitment to The Center for Holistic Urology at Columbia University Medical Center assists in the ability to conduct basic science and clinical research with natural, less toxic medications. The goal of the Center is to continue to make a difference in the health of patients with the proper use of complementary therapies.
Each year the Center continues to advance its mission of increasing the state of health of men and women with urologic diseases by using complimentary therapies and conducting research. Through the center’s dedication and commitment to the advancement of holistic therapies they have seen many lives changed for the better.
The Arthritis Project
Creaky Joints, 2008
The Friends Helping Friends Gala in 2008 hosted by People Reaching Out and The Real Housewife’s of NYC was a major success. We were able to deliver 42,000 patient members of CreakyJoints.org with much needed funds and awareness about arthritis and other chronic illnesses.
Our donation has been put to great use educating the public about arthritis — targeting both the undiagnosed and chronically ill patient communities.
The Ghana Against HIV/AIDS Project
The Queen Mothers Association Of Manya Krobo, Ghana, 2004
Queen Mothers are traditionally responsible for the welfare of women and children in their respective communities. During home visits they try to change the behaviors of those in Manya Krobo, Ghana through education.
In 2004 HIV/AIDS reached epidemic proportions in Manya Krobo. Queen Mothers took on additional roles to help control the spread of the virus through education and by acting as role models for women and children. Queen Mothers also focus on education, behavior intervention, community outreach, and condom promotion. They also assist with voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and pregnant mother to child transmission testing (PMTCT).
Over 1,035 Orphans have been identified through the home visit program. A Queen Mother cares between one and six orphans, providing them with shelter, food, clothing, health care and education. These children are growing in a stable environment, free from stigmatization and discrimination.
The donation made by People Reaching Out has helped to decrease the prevalence of HIV/AIDS from 18% to 6%, promote gender equality and succeeded in banning aspects of traditional and cultural practices that degrade and endanger females and assisted in formulating national policy on orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana.
For more information on Queen Mothers Association and The United Nations click here.
The 9/11 Neediest Fund Project
The New York Times Company Foundation, 2002
The 9/11 Neediest Fund has raised more than $61 million, of which 99% has been spent or committed. The foundation dispersed the funds in two ways. The initial disbursement was to the ten associated agencies who have been rendering direct front-line assistance to thousands of individuals and families. Beyond that, they have also been able to develop structural initiatives to meet victim needs on a holistic basis.
For example, the funding of a grant program to save thousands of jobs in small businesses in the disaster zone. They have also prompted the creation of your-hospital trauma treatment consortium to train 60 professionals who will, in turn, train others and create a resource for helping tens of thousands in need of counseling. They are also creating therapeutic after-school programs in all 16 public schools in the zone, for children of all ages who have experienced stress since the first day of school in 2001. They are also sponsoring the creation of, in effect, a civil law firm to give such victims full service, whether it involves need for a death certificate, immigration troubles or dealing with a landlord.
The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Project
Fountain House, 2000, 2001
Fountain House is dedicated to the recovery of men and women with mental illness by providing opportunities for members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support.
Fountain House has been committed since 1948, to bettering the lives of people with mental illness everywhere. They do this through the development of innovative techniques, research and knowledge sharing.
The goal is a high quality of life for all members, ongoing improvement and the ultimate elimination of stigma against those with mental illness. Success depends upon the ability to inspire partnerships between members, staff, board members, corporate partners, medical providers and the larger community.
The funding from the People Reaching Out Foundation has gone towards the continuation of the Fountain House art gallery and clubhouse in Manhattan which provides a safe, community-based alternative to institutionalization for women and men recovering from major mental illness, while supporting programs that allow members to build self-esteem, relationships and reintegrate themselves back into the community after the devastating effects that often accompany mental illness.
