"First Friday" is a special column from Heart to Heart’s CEO, Jon D. North. Published on the first Friday of every month, the column is designed to share our agenda for the coming weeks. This month’s edition focuses on how the economic climate may impact our ability to serve people around the world…
Since 1992, Heart to Heart International has been on a mission to create a healthier world. Compassionate volunteers, strategic partners and generous donors have helped us every step of the journey, so that we could help as many people as possible.
Because of supporters like you in 2008, we were able to respond to 22 crises worldwide, including a major relief effort to save lives after a massive earthquake killed more than 60,000 people in southwest China. We launched an exciting Water/Sanitation program in Central America that promises to improve health for an entire generation of young people. We celebrated our 15-year anniversary with our health partners at the American Academy of Family Physicians by improving health in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan. And much more.
For so many volunteers, partners and donors, Heart to Heart is their connection to a world in need.
Each of these initiatives impacted real people and changed millions of lives for the better.
And we did all that under the shroud of a growing economic crisis.
When the recession hit with full force earlier this year, it disproportionately impacted the operations of many nonprofits.
Industry research indicates that charitable giving is down in almost every nonprofit sector, and Heart to Heart is not exempt from this financial trend.
Here's the paradox we face: Though funding streams have decreased, global needs have only increased the demand for our humanitarian services.
We've had to tighten our belt more than once this year, while still trying to maintain critical programs in the U.S. and overseas. It's a delicate balancing act, but our staff and volunteers have risen to the challenge!
