Several ethnic and religious groups have their own humanitarian, human service organization. Most notable are the many Jewish organizations throughout the world whose mission is to protect the human rights of Jewish citizens and to address their social needs.
Hellenicare has demonstrated the needs of Hellenes. hellenicare is our organization to identify, address and advocate for our fellow, less fortunate Hellenes in the Diaspora. Through Hellenicare, Hellenes throughout the world can care for Hellenes and show that they care.
We are proud to introduce to you this new dynamic human service organization. This document outlines the strategic plan for the organizational and programmatic development of hellenicare.
Organizational Development
By creating Hellenicare, the Hellenic Omogenia strengthens its ability and capacity to respond to the social, development and emerging needs of vulnerable Hellenic communities throughout the world. Hellenicare will be a central point of contact in which to identify and address the needs of vulnerable Hellenes and their neighbors. It will provide the organizational structure in which to operate programs and special projects addressing identified needs. hellenicare will work to improve the capacity of its local partners in each country, training them in program development, delivery of services and sustaining their efforts. The following section outlines the mission, goals, objectives and immediate action plans in the organizational development of Hellenicare.
Mission
The mission of Hellenicare is to improve the life and living conditions of vulnerable Hellenes and their neighbors throughout the world. Through its efforts, Hellenicare looks to restore hope and dignity to those in need.
Goals
The most immediate goals in the organizational development of Hellenicare are to:
• Create a network of Hellenic leaders that will contribute to the development, promotion and financial support of Hellenicare;
• Identify professionals who have expertise in the field of international human service to develop, implement and supervise programs of hellenicare;
• Inform Hellenes in Greece and in the Diaspora of the establishment and purpose of Hellenicare;
• Build a multi-level base of support in which to create, implement and sustain programs of Hellenicare.
Objectives
The primary objective is to have the organizational structure of Hellenicare up and running by September 1, 2006. The following are the main objectives to be accomplished by that time:
• Establishment of a working Board of Directors and worldwide Advisory Councils;
• Hire key personnel to handle the administration and current programs of hellenicare;
• Begin intensive public relations and development campaigns to introduce and support hellenicare; and
• Expand the health and social welfare programs in southern Albania, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Hellenicare Programs
Hellenicare has made a tremendous impact on the health and well being of vulnerable Hellenes and their neighbors. Its simple philosophy of bringing health care services to the people has made a world of difference in the lives of nearly 900,000 people since 1997. It has not only restored health and hope, it has given people back their dignity by employing them in the jobs they were trained to do. This is especially true for the over 200 physicians and nurses who work in our six medical centers, six medical mobile units and nurses’ stations. With $100 million (US) worth of medicines, medical supplies and new equipment having been distributed through Hellenicare, not only through our own programs, but through other rural health posts and hospitals, the program has touched thousands of more lives, too numerous to count.
Hellenicare is only the “tip of the iceberg” regarding the needs of vulnerable Hellenic communities throughout the world. The ongoing violence against Hellenes for more than a year in Tsalka, Georgia has demonstrated that it is not only health care services that are needed. There is also a serious lack of economic opportunity for many Hellenic communities. People are willing to work, but having little or no opportunity. Community buildings such as schools and rural health posts are unsafe and unsanitary. Roads are in unbelievable disrepair, thwarting economic recovery and increasing social isolation.
Century old Orthodox Churches, used as warehouses and offices during the communist rule, are in need of restoration.
The people thirst for their Hellenic culture and religion. After decades of being denied the expression of their heritage faith, they seek to speak the Greek language, hear the Liturgy in Greek and celebrate their culture.
The Hellenes in these historic communities are resourceful. They have a desire to improve their lives. With training and resources, they can build their capacity toward self-sufficiency and learn to sustain the outreach programs initiated by hellenicare. These are vital attributes that should be fostered and cultivated.
The following are the major program areas of Hellenicare:
• The Health Care Initiative (HCI) will continue the work of Hellenicare expanding its delivery of both primary and diagnostic services. New state-of-the art medical equipment, continued medical training for physicians and nurses, community health education programs and increasing access in rural areas will be continued. The program will also expand to areas in great need like southern Russia, Albania, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The goal of Hellenicare is to restore health care services by increasing access, procuring and distributing medicines, medical supplies and equipment and improving health care delivery.
• Humanitarian Assistance of food, clothing, and limited disaster relief assistance will continue and be expanded. hellenicare will be able to act as the clearinghouse and coordinator of donations received throughout the world in response to disasters affecting Hellenic communities. Already through Hellenicare, an emergency medical fund for special operations and medicines has been established in Georgia. Without these resources many people would have not survived or would have lived in terrible pain and suffering.
Economic Development is an area that is greatly needed. We are restoring physical health. The time has come to restore economic health. hellenicare will develop small business loan programs, develop partnerships with major Hellenic businesses to establish trade opportunities and will also offer business training to
• the self-employed and small businesses. Creating employment and business opportunities will not only benefit individuals, it will help local governments on the road to economic recovery.
• Infrastructure Restoration is an integral part of the physical and economic recovery. Dilapidated buildings are being used as schools and health posts. Roads are in such disrepair you cannot safely drive on them. Broken water pipelines have cut off fresh water supplies creating unsanitary conditions leading to disease. Hellenicare has conducted a number of restoration projects that lay the foundation for this component of hellenicare.
• Human Rights violations against Hellenes have taken an upturn in recent months with the murders and brutal beatings of Hellenes living in Tsalka, Georgia. The once stable Hellenic region of Georgia has undergone a major shift in population with many internally displaced people. The ongoing violation of Hellenic Orthodox Christians in Turkey and the Ecumenical Patriarchate is another example of the terror and violence directed against Hellenes. hellenicare will develop protection and civil society programs to address this growing persecution of Hellenes.
• Capacity Building will work with local Hellenic leaders and organizations in countries where hellenicare has programs to strengthen their response to the needs of Hellenes and their neighbors. This work will include organization development, volunteer training and the development of the philanthropic spirit to sustain hellenicare’s programs and outreach activities. Capacity Building is an integral part of Hellenicare’s work and will be integrated into all of hellenicare’s programs and special projects.
Targeted Communities
Hellenicare will target vulnerable Hellenic communities in:
• Former Soviet Republics
• Southern Russia
• Balkan Countries
• Central and South America
• Selected regions of Africa
• Selected regions of Asia
Start-up Funding
Hellenicare is a worthwhile endeavor as it directs its focus on the social and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Hellenes. The development of such a central human service organization for the Omogenia is long overdue. The work of Hellenicare has demonstrated the tremendous need for a worldwide organization like hellenicare.
The fundraising goal for beginning Hellenicare is $3 (US) million of which nearly $1 million (US) is committed to supporting the Health Care Initiative through the U. S. Government, leaving $2 million to be raised for the new programs and promotion of our proposed activities. Our plan is to raise these funds through special contributions from founding members, grants from charitable foundations and corporations and the upcoming telethon, which is being sponsored by ERT in Greece and will be broadcasted outside of Greece through ERT World.
Conclusion
There are many vulnerable Hellenes throughout the world who face many disadvantages and a lack of opportunity to improve their life. hellenicare can change a life and save a life. The time has come for Hellenes around the world to come together as philanthropic partners and support this important and dynamic organization that will extend a helping hand to those in need. It is our sincere hope that you will join us in this exciting new endeavor.
Together we can make a world of difference!