International Child Care USA Inc

During this past summer, I was an intern at the US Office of ICC and was able to experience firsthand the good that ICC is able to spread throughout Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Their staff is always searching for the best methods to fight disease and poverty in these countries. The greatest insight that I learned during my time at ICC was that certain problems cannot simply be alleviated by donations and short-term solutions; by operating through Grace, ICC is able to address the shortcomings of children in these countries. The staff also finds creative methods to generate donations for various programs throughout their targeted area. Although they operate within a small market in Michigan, ICC is able to spread their good word across the country as the fight for a truly charitable cause.

I am a pediatrician and have been in practice for over 30 years. During that time, I have volunteered with several organizations that are involved in international medical outreach. In the first 10 years of that type of service, I would return home from a trip feeling like our 'team' had simply put a temporary Band-Aid on a huge gaping wound and that the work we did was not sustainable nor empowering to the local healthcare system.
Then I learned about and became involved in volunteering for International Child Care.
ICC does not send healthcare professionals from the US to do the work that the Haitian and Dominican doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers can do. It supports those that are there working every day by helping to meet educational needs, providing in-kind donations with training in their use, financial support in the field while educating those in the US about the lives of those living and working in a close neighboring country. It is truly empowering. .
That was 15 years ago and my husband and I still believe in the work ICC does and support the organization with our monies and our time. And this year the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, a testament to its history of sustainability

I first became acquainted with International Childcare (ICC) in 1977 when I went on a church mission trip to Haiti. I was very moved by the children I saw and the wonderful care they received. I began to sponsor ICC on a monthly basis once I was in college. In 2013, I was again on a mission trip to Haiti and looked to see if I was working anywhere near ICC. I was pleased to find out that they indeed were close by. I got to visit the hospital and take my mission team members. I got to see first hand the many changes, including how the hospital is across the street from its original location. It is wonderful to see how ICC has grown and is now ministering to so many people in so many ways. I am thankful to have been apart of their ministry for these 30+ years.

Thankful,
Lynn Punner

I interned at Grace Children's Hospital in Haiti for two months this summer. During my time there I was able to recognize the great impact that the hospital has on the community as well as get to know the staff. The staff are loving, kind and determined to make a difference in the lives of those around them. From free HIV/AIDS screening and treatment to also running an eye care clinic, Grace helps to maintain the health and wellbeing of those living in PAP. It was an honor and certainly a pleasure to spend so much time at a place so well staffed and well run!

This summer I was able to intern with International Child Care in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, at Grace Children's Hospital. During my time in Haiti I was able to see the far reaching impact that Grace has in the local community and the vital role that healthcare plays in the lives of all. Grace efficiently uses the talents of the local staff to work together as a team. It was a pleasure to be a part of this team this summer.

As a long time supporter of International Child Care I have nothing but praise for the directors and management team. I have visited their projects in Haiti and the DR many times. Being an RN I was able to provide the shipping of supplies to the hospital in Haiti. I served on the board for about 20 years and was very impressed with the transparency of all their operational and financial matters.
The management team is outstanding.

I volunteered with the annual Vacation Bible School program that ICC leads. It was a great program that helped to teach children about Jesus and being kind to others. The VBS program focused on learning about the joys and challenges of children living in Haiti, particularly those who spend time at Grace Children's Hospital. The children attending ICC's VBS program enthusiastically raised a significant amount of money for Grace Children's Hospital.

ICC cares greatly about its mission to support children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. While ICC also provides financial support for families and communities, ICC is committed to empowering communities through education, health care training programs, preventative health care such as vaccinations, social programs for adolescents with disabilities, healthy birth kits, and more.

International Child Care does an amazing job as a Christian health care organization in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They show a staying power that demonstrates their commitment to their mission to bring health and hope in the midst of communities plagued with extreme poverty. I am a former Board Member who has led many church groups to visit and learn from their ministry sites. They always take good care of us while helping to build bridges of understanding across the cultural divide. I am always impressed by the dedication of the workers and the deep trust they have earned from the local residents who know they can rely on ICC's reputation to effectively care for their loved ones.

I have worked with ICC in the DR when I have brought students to Santiago. It is an excellent group. I have also been a donor and have served on the board. Now that I have moved to MI I hope to get more involved!

I have been bringing church groups to encounter ICC and it's holistic health ministry since 1989. I like to lift up ICC as an example of an NGO whom donors can trust to be good stewards of their gifts. The emphasis on hiring Haitians and Dominicans has helped them to endure the tragedies of grinding poverty, hurricanes, military coups, and the earthquake. ICC's preventative and curative health care is a model for other NGO's to follow, which the World Health Organization and other respected groups have recognized. ICC has gained and kept my trust and respect for all these years, and I look forward to introducing it to more people in the future.

Our church has been involved with ICC since the 1980s. I have co-led over 7 MEET mission trips through ICC from 2009 through 2015. The organization is truly the hands and feet of Jesus serving the people, and particularly, the children of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The staff both in the USA and in the field, have become dear friends. Their dedication, love, faith and service glorify God and serve our friends and neighbors in need. It is an honor and privilege to partner with them.

This is one of the best nonprofit organizations! They have been helping a lot of kids among the DR and Haiti. They have succeed due to their effort in getting support for the children. I sincerely bless them and wish them the best in order for them to keep helping those kids who really need a friendly hand!

We have worked with ICC since 2000. Solid group, dedicated individuals, appropriate mission. ICC has served their patients well side by side with the Haitian people. As example, with the American College of Radiology, ICC is in the process of enhancing Radiology services in the country through education and technology.
Charles "Chuck" Phelps II, M D

In 1979 when I was 16, I was introduced to Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti through International Child Care. I still remember that trip and those children every day. Although it took over 30 years, I returned with my then 16-year old daughter to introduce her to Haiti in 2012 and then again in 2013. The work of ICC touches so many lives every day. It's leaders and volunteers truly love from the depths of their hearts, and the impact is felt throughout Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

I went on my first mission trip with ICC last year. I toured the hospital, helped with a mobile ICC clinic in the Port-au-Prince community and went to the northern community of Jolitrou. I saw Jesus working through the hands of ICC. Every morning, there was a line of people at the hospital waiting to be seen. It brought me great joy to know that all of these wonderful people have access to health care, because of iCC.

Myself and my church have been supporting ICC for years. ICC is dedicated to bringing hope to children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, a cause that is desperately needed for that island. I have been to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and can attest to their mission. If you are looking for an organization that you can trust is doing the work it says, support ICC.

I went to Haiti on a church mission trip and it changed my life. Meeting the poor, sick Haitian children in the inpatient ward has inspired me to continue to help the struggling nation. Keep up the good work ICC, Haiti needs you.

I have been a faithful donor to ICC for nearly 20 years. The work they do for the children in Haiti is incredible. It is truly life saving.

I have been on two mission trips to Haiti through ICC. The work they are doing is amazing. On our first trip, we visited Grace Children's Hospital and got to see many of the programs that they offer from working with children with HIV and TB to running outreach clinics and home instructions. Our next visit was to Joli Trou in northern Haiti. In this region, ICC has offered a program of establishing miro-enterprizes. This program has empowered the women and given them the respect they so deserve.Part of the funds earned have been put back into the community to purchase land for the clinic at Joli Trou. This clinic along with the hospital in Grand Norde offers pre-natal care as one of their main focuses. Through them, the former mortality rate of 80% for mothers and babies has been reduced to having not lost a single mother or child in the last two years!! How amazing is that!! All of this and much more is a result of ICC's work. Both trips were truly a blessing.

I became involved in this wonderful organization when Grace Hospital first opened, and have been telling the story ever since, to anyone who would listen! This amazing group has made unbelievable strides in changing health care attitudes and delivery in this poverty stricken country of Haiti,and spread their work into the Dominican Republic. From a children's hospital with 50 crib mattreses and a rented residence, and with very little money, bringing hope to the people for relief from the dreaded disease of tb, - to leading the campaign throughout the country against tb., and continuing to find solutions to their many health problems - solutions appropriate for the situations - throughout the Island, ICC works miracles. I continue to tell their story - of clean water for communities, school children, families; of healthy births free of tetanus, of spreading hope and love and encouragement and support and practical solutions health and wholeness.

I had the privilege to visit Grace hospital in Haiti 20 years ago and see first-hand the amazing work that ICC provides for the world's poorest of the poor. It is a fantastic organization. I'm happy to say that for my parents' 50th weddings anniversary they requested donations to ICC in lieu of gifts and were able to donate thousands of dollars to this great non-profit group. Keep up the good work, ICC!

International Child Care is truly a blessing to the clients it serves. Children and families who live in unimaginable conditions are treated with respect and dignity in an environment designed to heal both their physical and emotional wounds. ICC has been in Haiti nearly 50 years doing amazing work. They are worthy of my donations because I know lives are being saved.

International Child Care is a fantastic organization that has been working in Haiti for nearly 50 years. They have a remarkable history and provide care to hundreds of children every day. I personally spent several days in Port-au-Prince and visited their hospital (Grace Children’s Hospital). I was impressed by their dedicated staff and overall compassion. It’s sad to see so many problems in Haiti, a country that’s had to endure so many catastrophes over the last several decades. But, it’s really gratifying and encouraging to see ICC making such a positive impact there. Truly a special organization...

As a once and future board member of ICC, I am deeply committed to the organization and its work to make a difference in the lives of children and of their families in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. ICC has a truly committed team of professionals and volunteers that continue to amaze me.

I have been a Board Member of ICC for four years but have been invovled with ICC's work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic for over 15 years. Over the years I have seen first hand the difference that ICC and Grace Children's Hospital has made in the lives of the children of Haiti and the DR. I chose to be part of the organization because of the dedication of ICC staff and the amzing work they do.

What is amazing to me is the high level of dedication put forth by the men and women of International Child Care - from the office staff, to the health workers, to the nurses, to the doctors, attendees in the children's ward, to those who provide other important services, sometimes with little or no recognition. As a board member, I find it very hard to not do my best to assist those in the field, when they do so much to make a difference to those in critical need. My hat is off to them, and I will continue to strive to provide the necessary resources for those in the field who are putting forth those important services at the hospital, clinic, home, or where-ever those in need gather - especially the children! They give me tremendous strength, and determination, with a sense of hope for the future in Haiti and the D.R.

I have been a Board Member of ICC USA for about three years and am amazed by the incredible things that are happening for the children and families of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This organization does a tremendous job with direct fundraising in the US to support these efforts, as well as working side by side with the great people in these countries that are delivering the much needed services. I'm happy and honored to continue supporting ICC USA.

As a board member and volunteer, I have worked with ICC for around 10 yrs now, and traveled to Haiti with them at least 1-2 times/year. The US staff is helpful and works hard to see that funds are used with good stewardship in mind, putting the needs of the children of Haiti and the Dominican Republic above all else. I have been particularly impressed witht he dedication of the Haitian and Dominican Health Care workers who work for ICC to provide care for their patients even when resources are slim. The workers in Haiti worked non-stop during the weeks following the earthquake providing care for both their patients as well as those in the community. The Dominicans worked to help the Haitians following the earthquake, and have continued to provide care for all the disabled kids they help, with reduced budgets due to having to help their Haitian colleagues. One of my colleagues referred to Grace Children's Hospital as "the little hospital that could" which I think aptly describes a place that provides top notch care with very few resources. I can only hope to do as well as my Haitian and Dominican colleagues....

I am a physician, and my wife Lynne Austin was a pastor/elder of the United Methodist Church. From our first visit in 2008 to Haiti to our most recent in 2012, we were singularly impressed with the dedication of the staff to improving the health of those coming to the hospital - and with the appreciation of the patients and families for the care they received. Lynne focused on their emotional and spiritual needs, such as grief counseling, how to disclose HIV status to children, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

We have established a memorial fund in honor of Lynne, to help rebuild the Grace Children's Hospital, that was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.

For 30 years I have observed International Child Care operation. I have been impressed as a volunteer and board member with the health care provided to children and their families. International Child Care provides holistic health care to families and communities in the Lowe Delmas area of Port-au-Prince Haiti. I have been able to directly observe where my dollars and yours providing hope and health care to those in the greatest need. Follow the continue service on www.internatinalchildcare.org Ellen L. Palmer, PhD RN

I have been deeply committed to the work of International Child Care for over thirteen years. I spent twelve years on staff and have continued my involvement as a member of the Board of Directors. I fully support ICC's philosophy of empowerment and self-sustaining ministry, and have witnessed firsthand the impact International Child Care's programs have on children, families and entire communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

International Child Care USA is an excellent organization that focuses on the health and wellness of children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I've been involved for a couple of years now and have seen their good works in action. They do amazing things!

ICC is a wonderful organization! It's amazing the number of children they help every year, and the impact this organization has in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

I first became engaged with ICC some 15 years ago when I went to Grace Children's Hospital to visit the children on a trip to Port-au-Prince. I was so impressed with the quality of care they were providing at Grace that for many years, on each visit to Haiti, I would take any team I led to Grace to see their work. Two years ago I was invited to be a member of the Board and have had to opportunity to learn more about the amazing work of ICC in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I would encourage anyone interested to view the organizations website and to become more informed of all the good work this organization has done and will continue to do in the future.

The work that ICC does in Haiti and the Dominican Republic is critical for the health and wholeness of children in those countries. What, I believe, sets ICC apart from so many other non-profits and NGOs operating in the DR and especially in Haiti, is its commitment to an equal partnership between the board of directors in the four countries that compromise ICC (Canada, United States, Haiti and the DR). Helping Haitians and Dominicans help themselves is central to the mission of ICC which sets it apart from so many other non-profits operating there. I have been working in Haiti since 2008 and directly with ICC since 2010. The progress I have witnessed with ICC's programs is remarkable - especially considering the terrible destruction and set-backs caused by the 2010 earthquake. ICC's commitment to working with the ministries of health in each country, hiring and training local community members for EVERY position and equality between each participating country for the exchange of ideas and program planning is admirable. I am particularly proud to be a part of the training and education of the women who are part of one of ICC's newest programs in Haiti - the community based rehabilitation program that provides therapies to children with disabilities. I have had the pleasure of watching this program launch and seeing first hand the leadership provided by competent, capable, charismatic Haitians. The community based rehabilitation workers' commitment to their profession and the care and love they provide to the children of Haiti is humbling to witness.

I have a relatively short history with International Child Care, but have been blown away by the work they do. The work they do in Haiti and the DR is simply incredible. I'm proud to serve on the board of such a great organization serving great people.

As a past board member I spent 25 years working for and with the people of Haiti as a volunteer. I visited many other NGO's while in Haiti from 1977-2002. I chose ICC to spend my time and money with for a variety of reasons, but mainly because their charter was to hire Haitians whenever possible and try to conduct the health care projects as "Haitian" projects, not force-fed ex-pat projects. Also, many NGO's have no plans for sustainability and no long term goals/plans, which often left the Haitian people worse off than if that NGO had never been there. Hope is always a goal and leaving people in the middle of a project takes away that hope. ICC is interdenominational and many religious and non-religious groups have evaluated them and found them worthy of support, from many different countries. ICC has been able to adapt- from a start of being a care-giver for children with TB, to inoculating for TB and other communicable diseases, to starting an 80 bed TB hospital, to instituting health clinics, out patient clinics, training for mid wives and health related topics, to converting over to a "neighborhood" hospital that serves the people in the slums surrounding it. Other clinics and projects have been conducted as money, resources and people have been available, such as the eye clinic. ICC has been used as a model by outside organizations, particularly their inoculation program and their work against TB, which, when started, was one of the major causes of death among children in Haiti. ICC has hosted outside medical clinics, shared their work with others, given aid and help to other NGOs in Haiti when possible. I served as Treasurer of the board for many years and also as President of the US board for 4 years- I was privileged to work with great people, dedicated people, hard-working people, at all levels, from the board to the staff, from the doctors and nurses to the people who cooked the food, cleaned the laundry and kept the compound clean. I know the earthquake was a major blow to the program, but they have survived and are working on plans for rebuilding where the old compound stood, continuing their programs across the street where land was obtained some years ago for expansion- a fortuitous decision, but not unplanned or surprising when you know the time and effort that goes into running the ICC organization. I now teach a class on the history and culture of Haiti and have had the opportunity to mix with others who have had a "Haitian" experience, as short term volunteers or longer term missionaries, case workers, medical study teams and the occasional tourist. It is not an easy country to do business in, to fully understand and to keep going for over 45 years with the turnover in governments, the interferences (good and bad) by the US and outside agencies and countries, and just the logistics of operating in a country that has no infrastructure, supplies and often, utilities and water. ICC should be proud of what they have accomplished- I am proud to have been a small part of their past. My time has past- age catches up with all of us, but it has not diminished my spirit or love for Haiti.

I started my involvement with ICC in 1989. It has been a wonderful journey since then. I love our mission, to bring health and wholeness to children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Great work is being done, and has been since the late 60's.

I was intially introduced to International Child Care (ICC) as a child over 40 years ago when I travelled to haiti with my late father to visit family and he insisted that we visited Grace Children's Hospital run by ICC. For over 45 years ICC through Grace Children's Hospital and pediatric clinics throughout Haiti and the Dominican Republic has successfully delivered treatment to poor children seriously ill with Tuberculsis, HIV/AIDS, Cholera and other ailments. They have offered prenatal services to expecting mothers. They have also provided preventitive treatment to children through vaccinations and other treatment.

After losing contact with ICC in my early adult years, I reconnected with ICC after I made a donation to ICC with funds collected as donations at my father's funeral 10 years ago. I was presently surprised that ICC had sustained their work in Haiti over time. Many NGOs had come and gone in Haiti during the decades that ICC continued offering their services to the children in need.

ICC distinguishes itself from other non for profits because it operates efficiently with a small staff in the U.S. and productively with a Haitian staff delivering services in Haiti. Of the dollar donated, the vast majority goes towarss the delivery of services in lieu of funding administration.

ICC is a very highly-rated non-profit organization. I had the opportunity to travel to Haiti with a group for the first time in 2012, and for me it was a life-changing experience. Meeting the doctors, nurses and staff at Grace Children's Hospital, playing with the children and seeing Port-Au-Prince first-hand was heart-warming, fascinating and at times tragic as you see the vast poverty and need throughout Haiti. Grace Children's Hospital is staffed completely by Haitians which deeply impressed me. Although the hospital is now in temporary quarters, they do a wonderful job of treating thousands of children and their families as well as providing services such as health education and counseling. I found the staff to be very caring and friendly. International Child Care is certainly an outstanding organization and Grace Children's Hospital is making a very real and positive difference in Haiti.

I am very impressed with the work ICC is doing in Haiti and DR. Join us as we make a positive impact on children! The School of Nursing will be rebuilt and will make a difference in the future of those who live in Haiti and DR.

I've traveled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic with International Child Care several times. They do a great job of providing health care to at-risk children and families, including working with kids who have AIDS and TB. While the organization's Haiti program is dependent on outside financial resources, all of its employees are Haitians, and this impressed me. Despite severe damage and loss of life in the 2010 earthquake, they've managed to open temporary hospital facilities that are now serving thousands of patients. I was in Haiti 6 weeks after the earthquake, and the Haitian staff were caring for large numbers of patients and also providing space for food distribution. Very impressive.