Facts Sheets

2010 Fact Sheet:

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. Solace for the Children is a tax exempt, non-profit (501(c)3) organization providing medical, dental, optical services to children in need since 1997. Since 2007, our focus has been the children of Afghanistan.

. Summer Program - Acting on the belief that a mutual understanding of cultural differences and shared acts of genuine compassion are the foundation for true and lasting peace, the group brings Afghan children to live with American host families for six weeks during the summer months. Numbers have increased from 7 Afghan children in 2007 to 21 children in 2008 and 34 in the summer of 2009.

. Within the first few days of arrival for the Summer Program, each child receives a physical evaluation, dental screening and optical examination from American doctors. Necessary follow up care is provided as possible during the remainder of the six-week visit. Solace manages the selection of participating children, as well as arranges transportation, approves host locations and recruits medical services for these children.

. While Solace's primary focus is medical care, another benefit is clear. Regular recreational activities available to the group during the program encourage all involved to develop new friendships which often bridge gaps of culture, religion, physical limitations and tradition. Relationships develop between Afghan children of differing ethnic backgrounds, host families of differing denominations, Afghans and Americans, and local Christian and Muslim volunteers. Solace believes that these friendships will create a foundation for lasting peace among Americans and Afghans, one person at a time.

. Solace Extended Program - Recognizing the tremendous need for medical support of the Afghan children, Solace brings children on an "as needed" basis for special medical treatment that must be done immediately or when treatment would take longer than the six-week period of the Summer Program. During 2009, Solace has helped a 4 year old with bone infection complications of a club foot, two young girls in need of open heart surgery, a boy with shrapnel embedded in his eye from a rocket attack, and a young boy with a blood disorder requiring a full year of treatment to reduce iron levels in his body.

. Solace depends on an army of volunteers who donate resources of time, energy, personal skills, financial gifts and medical expertise. Beginning in 1996 as a local organization, Solace is now expanding to locations across the country. Branch locations must provide a strong core of 25 to 50 volunteers and a thriving medical community ready to accept and provide healing for Afghan children. Each branch location is known as Solace for the Children - (City Name).

. The national level of Solace provides all international communication, procedural training and promotional support to branch groups. As a Solace Branch qualifies to receive children for a six week summer program or extended program national support continues to insure exceptional care to each participating child. The national leadership oversees the screening of the children for branch groups and arranges transportation to their respective locations. Each child returns to Afghanistan with improved health and first hand experience with Americans.

Vision: To become a national humanitarian organization bridging cultures and religions to provide fundamental health care for more than 1,500 Afghan children annually in collaboration with local communities.

Mission: Provide a framework for ecumenical mission efforts to deliver medical, dental, optical care and emotional and educational fundamentals to children in need.

Core Values:
1. Demonstrating God's love through practical action
2. Ensuring physical and spiritual well-being of children
3. Developing a motivated and satisfied volunteer base
4. Encouraging partnership and collaboration both locally and internationally
5. Emphasizing continuous improvement
6. Maintaining high standard of integrity
7. Building respect for world cultures

Strategic Priorities:
1. Long Term Health and Safety of Participating Children
2. Quality Staff and Volunteers
3. Strong international partnerships
4. Effective and Efficient Operations

Contact Us:
Patsy Wilson, Program Coordinator
704-657-2374
Patsy.wilson@solaceforthechildren.org
www.solaceforthechildren.org
SKYPE - Patsy-Wilson