Viva's cutting edge approach to transforming children's lives is exciting, dynamic and will get you out of your seats and into action! I feel so privileged to be part of this family and would encourage anyone to find out more at www.viva.org and join in on the action!
Viva's global work with vulnerable children is cutting edge. With over 16 years of experience, Viva has figured out how to bring together, enlarge and deepen, the huge grassroots response to children at risk. By organizing once-isolated grassroots organizations and projects serving children into viable, mature networks united around a common vision and purpose, they are able to literally transform the lives of children as well as the communities in which they live. A network is able to combine the skills and talents of hundreds of people and leaders as well as leverage resources, multiplying its impacts several times over at different levels. The best thing is that these networks become a strong voice on behalf of children and can eventually work on initiatives that begin to SOLVE children at risk issues, in the areas of safety, health, and education. Working together is not a new concept - but working together effectively and consistently, through high quality training and measuring the influences and impacts on children and their communities, is cutting edge!! Read the stories at viva.org!!
VIVA's approach to networking, cooperating and capacity building for local agencies working with vulnerable children is a model of effective and efficient use of resources. The best solutions for dealing with vulnerable children are those developed in local communities. With VIVA's support local agencies are better equipped to carry out their important missions. With a combination of program outreach, capacity building and advocacy VIVA creates a multiplier affect, enhancing and enabling the best possilbe local programs.
Viva Network's approach to networking local Churches and local child-care providers provides for a powerful, scalable model to improve the situation of children-at-risk. This network approach lifts up kids by empowering these local workers and giving them tools to improve their effectiveness. Programs like Early Encounter, help to network local groups to intervene before Sex Traffickers can approach children. Other Viva programs also are empowering children in the World's slums to work together to advocate for better treatment of poor children. I have been compelled to join the Board of this very effective organization as they have a very impactful, training-based model that is truly helping people around the world change the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in their own communities.
There are so many child sponsorship organizations out there, what attracted me to Viva was the Network model. By working across organizations providing care to children in a given community, you can have such a more significant impact on numerous kids. The return on investment is so much greater.
Viva North America works with local grassroots organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America to build their capacity so workers don't burn out and more street children are rescued. They build networks of local organizations to strategize so their efforts don't overlap and resources are stretched further. Their efforts include stopping child traffickers at bus and train stations when a child enters a city, holding Christmas parties with health care for street kids and special needs kids, raising awareness about traffickers, and coordinating soup kitchens so children of the slums can eat every night of the week and not just one night a week. As a result, more kids are served and child workers are able to hang in there and work longer and more effectively, doing the hard work they do everyday on the front lines.
Viva Network North America is connected to local projects around the world and makes a real impact in children's lives. Viva is unique is its ability to work in some of the poorest places in the world, where it connects local initiatives with each other through collaboration techniques -- and where it provides those local projects with training and support that allows the local projects to thrive. I have visited some Viva's connections and projects and have seen the true impact upon children at risk from supporting Viva and its efforts. I only wish more people knew of Viva and supported it, because that would expand its impact even farther and deeper.
Viva does great work, and its North America efforts are well led by its Executive Team, Board of Directors, and other outside Advisors. Viva is uniquely positioned to not only step in the gap for all things associated with children at risk globally, but to be a vital catalyst to other groups, organizations, governments, and individuals who wake up every day of their lives to offer their hearts towards this cause.
I am very impressed with Viva Network North America and its work with children at risk and also the way they do networking to keep the care givers trained and supported. Their outreach around the world with programs that stop trafficking and reunited children back to their families and communities is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of at risk children. I saw that Viva's model of helping children at risk is based on experience that a network of community organizations and committed people, locally focused and united in purpose, is the best possible vehicle for bringing long term transformation for children at risk. It is this model of collaboration that works and has the potential to redefine development.