Processes in Parallel - wayne centrone

They say Rome wasn't built in a day. Well, I think it more likely that Rome was built in many long days with a number of different activities happening simultaneously. This adage seems to be true for any great event in history or life.

If you know Health Bridges, you've heard our staff talk strongly about why we don't like the charity model of not-for-profit work. There is nothing sustainable about charity. Instead, we believe strongly in the model of "processes in parallel." A guiding structure that has continually informed the way we work.  We seek support, in the forms of donations and grant and foundation monies; and, simultaneously - we define pathways toward independence. We do both of these things at the same time.

​This philosophy of processes in parallel means we are always looking for a longterm strategy to fund our efforts. This concept is at the heart of our Casa Girasoles Program. We are not only seeking support through our Capital Campaign to fund the homes, we are also looking for creative ways we can use micro-business models to finance the homes and train the boys for future job opportunities. We're looking for ways to make the Casa Girasoles homes completely self-sufficient. 

The lauded goal of longterm self-sufficiency . . . its a long range proposition; but our strategies are continuously leading us toward such. Take the Center for Excellence model we are using to guide the development of the Casa Girasoles Program. We are hoping the Center of Excellence model will be a guide post for other NGOs working with formerly abandoned and displaced children. We're hoping we can grow the model into an evidence based practice with the potential to reshape child-welfare services in the developing world. If we can build, evaluate and support such a Center of Excellence model - we feel it will distinguish our organization as a leader in the field and help to build a separate role for Health Bridges as a consultant to other NGOs, government agencies, and child-welfare sector groups.

Alas, it all starts with assuring the first phase of our work - securing the funding to keep the two Casa Girasoles homes open and the children well fed, growing in their academic pursuits, and gaining access to the services and supports they need to build the futures they deserve. Oh, and in parallel - we are working on micro-business models, starting a Center of Excellence program, and continuing to advance the evidence based practices we use to support the children in the Casa Girasoles Program.

Thanks for all the support. We are so blessed by your generosity. 

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