Johnston Nonprofits and Charities

I've been involved with Frontlines for a number of years and my life has been changed. I can't imagine not returning to the mountain villages of Campur Guatemala with Frontlines. The only thing I would change is to be able to go more or stay longer! <br> <br>The founders (a married couple) have been in the ministry for decades. They have primarily been preachers, but Frontlines is their main ministry now. I believe their daughter did go on the board a few years ago and a new director is also becoming involved as the founders are older and probably won't be able to continue the work themselves much longer. <br> <br>I have had the opportunity to work in several different areas on the trips and things have generally been very well organized and with good attention to preparation. There is always someone to go to with a question or problem and there is a feeling among team members of being part of a family by the end of the trip. Going back to Campur feels like going home for a family reunion. There are some people who have been going to Guatemala for many more years than I and still come back every year. <br> <br>Unlike some organizations that work with just medical needs or are involved in evangelism, Frontlines usually has three different teams each year. They have a medical team that works in the village that the mission is based in as well as outlying villages where people are too far away to walk to Campur. There is a construction team that either helps to build a church or works on the construction of the children's home (Casa Heidi). There is also at least one and sometimes two evangelism teams that go out into the mountain villages to work with children. It has been wonderful to see the relationship with the local Kekchi people build over the years that frontlines has been going there. There are two locals, Santiago and Pedro, who are like team members themselves. There is a local Assemblies of God Church that Frontines works with and there seems to be a great relationship with the pastor of the church. <br> <br>The children's home has taken a few years to build. Frontlines is not a big organization and they depend on donations, which of course affects what can be done for construction. There is now a guatemalan couple (a doctor and a pastor) that have moved into the children's home to get programs going while the rest of the construction is done. I have given a significant amount of money to Frontlines over the years and have never had a concern about how the funds are handled. <br> <br>

Great place, the organization provides a natural resource for recreation an education. I enjoy walking the trails a using the 88+ acres woodlands to provide walking tours of Providence history, biology, and forestry. <br><br>Awesome natural resource that we are lucky to have. Everyone in the organization is a volunteer and no one gets paid. Thank you Neutaconkanut Hill.

My main complaint is I was hesitant to sign with OSDRI for claim representation. After speaking with them they assured me I would only have to pay an attorney's fee if they filed an appeal for me. They did not file an appeal or a higher level review but they still kept 20% of the back pay I got from the VA. That cost me nearly $2000.

I just spoke with Sandra from the Smiling Angels, very nice lady. Spurwink RI looks forward to meeting up in the future to enjoy a event or two. Pattie Piscione Associate Manager , Voclinks Program/ day program of Spurwink RI.

Camp Wannagoagain is a week of happiness for my son. I was a little nervous sending him the first year, but was relived once I witnessed the number of staff and volunteers who are there to work their magic and make camp such a success. I love that my son can get the full camp experience, swimming, boating, camp fires, etc., while with a group of people who understand his needs. Our family is so grateful to the wonderful sponsors who make camp possible for my son. Camp Wannagoagain is truly the highlight of our summer!!!