HANDS INTERNATIONAL: April 2010

Saturday, April 3, 2010

WELLNESS SEMINAR IN TOBAGO

During the weekend of March 5-7 Dr. Hedrick Edwards conducted a seminar in Tobago on the topic of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Wellness. Beginning with an overview of the theme on Friday evening and ending with a dedication ceremony on Sunday evening - with didactic presentations and interactions throughout Saturday - the seminar was extremely well received by the approximately three hundred persons who attended. Based on this positive response, the organizers and sponsors are eager to invite HANDS to lead a similar seminar next year. The hope is that a larger facility could be secured, the wider community invited, and support staff (such as a therapist and a counselor) could be included in the team. Because the need is so deeply felt, HANDS executive is willing to consider any such request.

TAX EXEMPT STATUS RECEIVED
In a letter from the IRS dated March 18, 2010, HANDS was informed that it has been granted Tax exempt status. The letter reads in part:

"We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the code. You are also qualified to receive bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the code".

This is great good news, and all HANDS partners and prospective supporters may now breathe a sigh of relief. We wish to thank all those who contributed so unselfishly in the past, even without such clear assurance that their gifts are tax-deductible. Let us take advantage of this new opportunity afforded us by the government to support the programs and projects of this Public Charity agency with our generous contributions. Not a single penny of such contributions will be used for anyone's personal gain or self-interest. Our commitment to minister to the chronic needs of vulnerable populations and to those going through critical crises remains undiminished. In the spirit of Christ, we are volunteers without borders serving the under-served without pay.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Mission: Health and Development Services International Inc. (HANDS International) is an approved voluntary non-profit agency established to channel the knowledge, skills, and resources of dedicated servant-leaders toward human development. Inspired by the Spirit and deeds of Christ and in the tradition of luminous souls throughout history who have followed his example, the agency seeks to embody the ideals of compassion for the disadvantaged and care for the underserved. Through its programs and ministries it seeks to collaborate with those who hold similar principles, focusing primarily on promoting health care within the community, wholeness within the family, group empowerment through education and training, and on emergency relief linked with long-term community development. Those committed to these values are essentially volunteers without borders, serving the underserved without pay.

The Objectives: HANDS will direct its efforts toward achieving the following objectives:
1. Assemble intervention teams of caring and culture-sensitive professionals who are qualified to attend to health conditions prevalent in underserved communities and to engage in general health promotion.
2. Create and maintain model health and development programs that can be adapted to the special needs of the disadvantaged and the underserved in various cultural settings.
3. Based upon accurate data and effective global and local networking, maintain a dossier of under- served communities and people-groups which have special health and developmental needs.
4. Assist in developing and sustaining at least one international project oriented toward health promotion and recovery, education, family life, and/or community development.
5. Form partnerships with other agencies within the vicinity of the Inland Empire in planning and executing community-based programs or convention whose goals are consistent with the ideals contained in the “Healthy People 2010” framework.
6. Foster cultural diversity, sensitivity and competence through meaningful cultural exchanges and program partnerships with various ethnic churches and local groups.
7. Organize seminars and educational forums that address issues of current interest in the areas where health, education, society, and faith intersect with the goal of increasing general awareness or provide special leadership training.
8. Recognizing that the deteriorating state of the family in much of the modern world is a major source of physical, psychological and social ills, identify places of special needs and secure competent human resources to provide guidance and education in the dynamics of family life.
9. Maintain a state of readiness to participate in emergency situations in which natural disasters or calamities threaten significant loss of life, health, or property.

From the HANDS first Executive Director

January 30, 2008

Dear Colleague and Friend:

I am pleased to introduce to you Health and Development Services International, (HANDS), an agency dedicated to short-term mission service in selected regions of the globe. Heart-rending images of the most horrific natural disasters this generation has ever experienced stunned the world in 2004. Equally disturbing is the continuing cry of hundreds of millions - the most vulnerable on our planet - whose chronic debilitating health and social conditions contrasts so sharply with our position of relative privilege. Moreover, the need to resolve conflicts, foster understanding, and facilitate reconciliation among the diverse and often disparate inhabitants of our planet has never been greater.

HANDS was recently established as a conscientious response to these stark global realities. While it cannot redress all the world's ills, this fledgling agency represents a defining choice - a choice inspired by the spirit and deeds of Christ and luminous souls throughout history who have followed his example - to join forces with others to make a positive difference. Those who carry out its mission seek to embody the ideals of compassion for the disadvantaged and care for the under-served. Wounded healers themselves, they have chosen to be volunteers without borders serving the under-served without pay.The agency is therefore eager to welcome into its cadre of volunteers physicians, nutritionists, nurses, health educators and others of goodwill who identify with the vision captured in its compelling motto:

IN BROKENNESS, HEALING HANDS: IN CONFLICT, RECONCILING GRACE

Very sincerely,

Hedrick J. Edwards
Executive Director

HANDS Board

Current:

Reynold Agard, MD (Internal Medicine)

Linbrook Barker, MD (General Surgery)

Antonius Brandon, PhD (Clinical Psychology), MA

Hedrick Edwards, DHSc (International Health), MSPH (Health Education), MA (Counseling), MA (Biblical Theology)

Lester Horrell, MD (Pediatrics)

Julihana Madison, MS (Nursing), MBA

Norman Mitchell, PhD (Biology)

Naomi Modeste, DrPH, MPH (Health Education)

Paul Thorpe, MS (Computer)

Chair: Julihana J. Madison, MBA, RN; President: Antonius D. Brandon, PhD; Executive Secretary: Hedrick J. Edwards, DHSc, MSPH; Treasurer: Paul Thorpe, MS; Reynold Agard, MD; Linbrook Barker, MD; Lester Horrell, MD; Norman L. Mitchell, PhD; Naomi Modeste, DrPH

Founding Board

Chair: Norman L. Mitchell; President: Antonius Brandon; Executive Secretary: Hedrick J. Edwards; Treasurer: Paul Thorpe; Members: Linbrook Barker, Naomi Modeste, Paula Fox, Lawrence Weeks, Charles David

HANDS INTERNATIONAL

Saturday, April 3, 2010

King's House, Jamaica

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