Nonprofits in Massachusetts

As a senior case writer and researcher at Harvard’s Global Health Delivery Project, I have had the opportunity to study the strategy and effectiveness of numerous programs operating in resource limited settings around the world. Last year, my work enabled me to get to know Pathfinder International intimately, as I and my team developed a case study of Mukta, one of Pathfinder’s HIV prevention programs in India. Throughout my experience researching the program and working with Pathfinder’s staff there, I came to appreciate the strength of Pathfinder’s human rights framework and its implications for their work on the ground. Mukta works with marginalized female sex workers and men who have sex with men, key populations whose vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by structural and social factors that create formidable barriers not only to their ability to access HIV prevention and treatment services, but to their day-to-day safety. Pathfinder’s staff united excellent management practices with their human rights framework to build the capacity not only of the local NGOs they deliver services through, but of the communities themselves to set agendas, develop strategies to effect the change they deem most necessary and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. I was consistently impressed by Pathfinder’s commitment to excellence in management and data use practices, as well as their focus on sustainable change both for communities and for the governments who represent them.

The core idea of CRY America is to make the change permanent,and this is quite unique than any of existing non-profit organization.The model followed by CRY America is unique in which it states that no organization can be successful without active involvement of local community in the program.Extremely proud to be volunteer of CRY America.

I became involved with this organization in 1994. At the time they had volunteered panhandling for donations on the street. Everyone got a 5 or 10 dollar daily food stipend which was barely enough for one meal. Even back at the site there was very little food. The "training" was a joke and they had us wasting time breaking up rocks that they said would be used for grass which never happened. It was one of the strangest experiences of my life. I left during the fundraising phase and the recruiter at the time kept calling me wanting me to return. Run for your life from this one, there are much better organizations worth your time!

I support the UUSC because it responds to national and international disasters by (1) working with organizations on the ground rather than imposing its practices from "outside", and (2) because UUSC stays with the local organizations to continue their work as long as such support is needed.<br>(UUSC deserves 5 stars all right, but doesn't exceed my expectations because I expect a lot and UUSC meets them!)