Humanitarian & Health

Humanitarian Service & Health Pillar

The Humanitarian Service and Health pillar partners with groups and initiatives that help save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold human dignity in difficult situations. We also look for ways to improve public health and address health disparities, focusing on community well-being rather than generating a profit. We achieve this through a variety of strategies, including funding programs, building an endowment, organizing volunteer efforts, influencing policy, and supporting other non-profits.

“We nurture kind Hearts that can heal our community.”

 

Core principles guide the following goals and can range from immediate emergency relief to long-term development programs that build community resilience.

Core Goals:

Our work is directed by a set of core goals that ensure financial and provisional aid is provided effectively and ethically:

  • Humanity: Addressing human suffering wherever it is found, with special attention to the most vulnerable.

  • Impartiality: Providing assistance based solely on need, without discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, gender, or political opinion.

  • Neutrality: Not taking sides in a conflict or engaging in political, racial, or ideological controversies.

  • Independence: Ensuring that humanitarian actions are autonomous from the political, economic, or objectives of any government entity.

 

Short-term Emergency Relief:

During and immediately after a crisis, with key partners, we focus on meeting urgent needs to prevent loss of life and further suffering. This includes:

  • Emergency food and nutrition: We help deliver food and supplies to prevent malnutrition, especially in children.

  • Medical care: Providing medicine, health services, and medical equipment to address health crises and prevent disease outbreaks.

  • Shelter: Offering emergency shelter to people displaced by loss of work, conflict, persecution, crime, or natural disasters.

  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation services to protect public health and prevent the spread of disease.

  • Focused relief. Providing a donor-directed method to provide funds quickly to individuals, families, or businesses affected by a disaster or hardship.

 

Long-term Support and Development:

We also engage with partners in long-term goals that support communities in their challenges, recovery, and build resilience against future crises. These goals include:

  • Rebuilding and recovery: Supporting the restoration of communities after a disaster or conflict.

  • Education: Ensuring access to educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults to improve economic outcomes and mental health.

  • Economic well-being: Promoting livelihood and economic security for affected populations.

  • Self-reliance: Empowering individuals and communities with resources and skills to become more self-sufficient.

  • Advocacy and policy change: Raising awareness and advocating for policies that support vulnerable populations and address the root causes of humanitarian crises.

 

Health Focused Initiatives:

  • Improve health outcomes and reduce inequities: We work to improve overall community health by targeting specific public health challenges and addressing the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that lead to health disparities.

  • Healthcare initiatives: We will partner with local healthcare systems to help raise funds to acquire new medical equipment, expand facilities, and support patient programs.

  • Strengthen public health infrastructure: We support the Summit County Health Department and community health agencies by providing funding, resources, tools, and training to help improve performance and achieve better health outcomes.

  • Promoting whole-person care: We acknowledge the connection between physical, mental, and emotional health, and work to integrate behavioral health services, particularly for underserved people or communities.

 

Specific Focus Areas:

While addressing a broad range of humanitarian issues, we also focus on specific areas to maximize impact. Examples include:

  • Women and children: Improving the health and well-being of women and children, such as initiatives focused on nutrition and maternal care.

  • Healthcare access: Increasing access to medicine and treatment for patients in under-resourced communities, including those with rare diseases.

  • Human rights: Advocating for human rights, challenging injustice, and promoting equality.

  • Environmental protection: As sustainability is inexorably linked to health, we work to protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters.

  • Recognize. Annually recognize community members who provide exceptional humanitarian and health opportunities or services.