At hellenicare we believe:
- In the value and dignity of every human life;
- That human beings are resilient;
- People have the right to a peaceful co-existence and to participate in the decisions
that affect their lives;
- Human resourcefulness provides the energy needed to solve problems; and
- Our humanitarian and moral values call us to serve
Each of these principles guide the programs that hellenicare offers. Our health care and humanitarian assistance programs reflect our belief that every human life has value. The care we provide restores dignity. We believe that a single act of kindness fosters resiliency of the human spirit. Our humanitarian and moral values are the basis for establishing an organization that rebuilds healthy, secure and productive lives.
Our human rights programs echo our belief that people have a right to a peaceful co-existence. They also have the right to make decisions that affect their lives. Our programs incorporate the beneficiary’s decision-making ability in how services should be delivered to maximize their benefit. hellenicare’s economic development programs taken into account that people are resourceful when given the opportunity, initial financial resources and guidance. We believe that with the proper tools and support, people have the energy to solve their problems. Our capacity building programs complement our faith in human resourcefulness.
hellenicare provides assistance in the following areas:
- Health Care Initiative
This component is the continuation of the Primary Health Care Initiative (PHCI) that was the basis for beginning hellenicare as a global health and humanitarian organization in 1997. hellenicare continues operations of its medical centers, mobile medical units and nurses’ stations in the Republics of Albania, Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine. Community health education is an important part of hellenicare’ Health Care Initiative. hellenicare has conducted public health awareness campaigns concerning HIV/AIDS, heart disease and breast cancer. hellenicare operates the first privately funded breast cancer and women’s health center in Mariupol, Ukraine. This breast cancer screening is also beginning in the Republic of Georgia.
- Humanitarian Assistance
hellenicare’s humanitarian assistance program consists of providing medicines and medical supplies to its own health care programs as well as distribution to other state-approved health care facilities in the regions where we have medical programs. This also includes medical equipment, food, clothing and limited disaster relief. Annually, more than $10 million worth of humanitarian assistance is distributed.
- Economic Development
Restoring "economic" health goes hand in hand with hellenicare’s mission of alleviating poverty and oppression. Developing small business programs, partnerships with major business that establish trade opportunities and essential training in business management are all part of hellenicare’s goals to foster economic opportunities for vulnerable populations.
- Infrastructure Restoration
Aiding the physical recovery by restoring damaged infrastructures and economic development, hellenicare improves living conditions through such small reconstruction projects such as the renovation of local health ambulatories, repair of broken water pipelines, sewer and plumbing projects as well other restoration projects.
hellenicare has conducted 20 Small Reconstruction Projects in Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine since 2004. In 2009, hellenicare will proceed with five new projects: two in Armenia; one in Georgia and 2 in Ukraine.
- Human Rights
In 2005, 22 Hellenes living in Tsalka, Georgia were murdered as a result of civil unrest between the multi-ethnic communities now living in the once predominantly Hellenic region. Through the relentless efforts of hellenicare’s President and Founder, Andrew A. Athens who made four trips to Georgia in six weeks meeting with Georgian Government officials, the situation was immediately address and steps were taken to resolve the tension. hellenicare’s head nurse was a victim of these heinous attacks as her husband and invalid child were brutally beaten. Her husband died from the beating.
As demographics of once homogenous communities change in areas with limited economic opportunity, the incident of human and religious rights violations increase. In the framework of its belief that everyone has the right to a peaceful co-existence, hellenicare is conducting civil society programs in areas where ethnic tensions are rising.
- Capacity Building
Strengthening the skills of local leaders and organization through training helps hellenicare build sustainability for its ongoing health care and humanitarian assistance programs. These training programs also foster volunteerism, leadership abilities and the development of local philanthropy. Capacity building is an integral part of all of hellenicare’s programs.
Global Partners Support hellenicare
hellenicare receives funds from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Humanitarian Assistance, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Hellenic Republic, private philanthropic foundations, corporations and caring donors from across the globe. Every dollar donated is a charitable investment in helping someone build a productive, secure and healthy life worth up to 20 times of assistance. It is the best charitable investment one can make. As Reverend Telemarchos Alikakos once said in a sermon to children attending Sunday School at the Saint Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church, "When we put our money in the hands of the poor, God gives a multitude of blessings to those who receive and those who give."