Crisis Aid International

I have the privilege of having known Pat for many years and his organization ICA since its inception as a donor and a member on a few trips to Ethiopia. Pat has instilled in the ICA organization the compassion for the lost and the integrity he has as a person. Through his leadership many a life has changed, and saved. For me there is no greater joy than to contribute to support ICA's efforts in the US and abroad, and to get personally involved where and when I can. Get involved and expect to catch Pat's vision, compassion an enthusiasm!

For years I have donated my time and money to various non-profit organizations, however, ICA has proven to be my favorite organization to be involved with. I was introduced to ICA four years ago and since that time have gotten to know the founders Pat and Sue Bradley. Their passion and integrity exceeds anything and anyone I have ever known. It has been my extreme privilege to volunteer for them both in the US and in Ethiopia. They handle the contributions with utmost care and hold a high standard of excellence for the money distribution to the various projects they take on. I feel safe knowing that they maintain superior accountability to their board and donor base. Without hesitation I would recommend ICA to anyone who is looking for a non-profit agency to become involved with either monetarily or as a volunteer.

ICA to me is the ultimate non profit organization. I have personally seen the integrity of ICA both overseas and here at home. I have worked with many organizations but not one of them could hold a candle to the level of excellence that is ICA's standard.

At the request of my sister, I offered some time to help set up an office and filing system when ICA grew beyond what could be handled from the home office of Pat and Sue Bradley. This led to learning and believing in the mission, values and work God has directed for ICA. Although I have not been on a mission trip, I am thankful for the support role I can offer in helping provide for orphans, widows, young girls and hungry families in Ethiopia, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

International Crisis Aid is easily the best non-profit that I have not only ever worked with, but also ever seen! Their vision and goals are in helping people, serving children, and freeing the oppressed. They do not focus on marketing themselves, as many non-profits do these days. Instead, ICA spends its budget and resources empowering people to live life as it is truly meant to be lived; whole and serving others. There is no other non-profit that will be able to parallel or even come close to the depth of impact that ICA has had on peoples' lives. I challenge anyone to take a trip with them and see the health, love, and life ICA brings to families and children all around the world. It is truly unparalleled.

Over the past four and a half years (since Jan. 2008), I have had the honor to serve as the Executive Assistant to the President of International Crisis Aid. There are tens of thousands of nonprofit organizations around the world, but ICA is like no other. First—in the programs & services provided. Second—in their accountability and integrity. And Third—in the character of the executive staff.

ICA’s focus of delivering emergency aid which is then transformed into long-term community development projects—focusing on solutions to the problems in the regions they work—makes ICA stand apart. ICA is often told by other missionaries who have worked “in the field” for years that they have never seen anything like what ICA is accomplishing. And what is amazing is what ICA is able to do with even a little bit of money. ICA makes funds stretch as far as possible—and then reevaluates to make it stretch to the unimaginable in order to reach as many people with quality care as possible.

In order to keep administrative and fundraising costs as low as possible, the Founder and President who has served full-time for over 10 years STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY PAYMENT FROM ICA. Every purchase, no matter how small, is closely evaluated before any funds are spent. And multiple quotes are obtained to secure the best prices. The level of accountability this organization has in the office and in the field is beyond anything I’ve seen in my lifetime of working in the nonprofit sector.

The character of the executive staff both in the headquarters office and in the field programs shines through their daily personal sacrifices to help people. The executive staff have the expertise to be making a lot of money working wherever they would like—but instead, they sacrifice personally so that the number of people they serve can be increased.

Many people work for NGOs but wouldn’t give a dime to the organization they work for. ICA is an organization my family and I will forever support—financially and in service. I am honored to have served for four and a half years alongside the staff of ICA and I look forward to a lifetime of working with them and growing the organization to reach more people in need.

I have had the wonderful privilege of working with ICA for over a year now. It is easy to link arms with any organization that is totally committed to rescuing girls from the horrors of sex trafficking. They are making great strides in bringing this issue into the light so others can join the cause. I am also particularly impressed that 93% of all donations go directly to relief efforts. That is the highest percentage I have ever seen in a non-profit agency. It clearly demonstrates how dedicated they are to honor the money that was given for the expressed purpose of combating human suffering. For that reason, my husband and I are regular monthly donors to ICA. We take great comfort in knowing that our contribution will be used to help girls who have been rescued from the sex trade industry. Pat and Sue Bradley have always treated me with the utmost respect and are a true pleasure to work with. They are the most authentic people I have ever met in my many years of ministry. It is my great honor to know them!

When I became acquainted with International Crisis Aid and met Pat Bradley in 2005, I was not only impressed with the compassion behind their efforts, but also with the effectiveness and efficiency of their organization. Within months, our organization began making monthly contributions in support of their work. When Pat talked with us about the growing sex traffic trade and shared his organization’s vision to rescue girls from its horrors, we didn’t hesitate to help financially. We knew they would work tirelessly to not only rescue victims from the immediate horror, but that they would also provide safe shelter, medical care, education and training to literally give these girls new lives. That is exactly what they are doing. I have read the reports, heard the testimonials, and seen the videos of what is being accomplished in Ethiopia and Cambodia. We are grateful for ICA’s courageous efforts and are thankful for the opportunity to have a part in the work they are doing. I hope we can play an even bigger part in the days ahead by giving more and sending volunteer teams to assist in the work.

International Crisis Aid is an organization that goes far beyond where most nonprofit groups go. ICA goes into the streets in the hardest areas of Ethiopia to rescue girls forced into prostitution. These girls would otherwise be lost in a world of pain and eventually death. They give these girls life and a hope for a descent future. They build group homes for girls that cannot be returned to their biological homes. The work of ICA comes from the hearts of it's workers and volunteers. I will continue to give financial support to help rescue these girls and hope to one day be able to go to Ethiopia with ICA to do what I can to physically help.

I have been working with ICA since 2004 and been a donor of ICA since 2008. From top to bottom ICA is run with integrity and is the type of organization I am proud to be associated with. They are always more worried about helping others, before they think about themselves. It is also nice that they do work in the US and internationally. They realize that making the world a better place requires a global view.

I have volunteered with many organizations here in the states and have spent time as a volunteer with a larger non-profit organization, but none can compare to the passion,commitment,and transforming power that ICA delivers. From feeding programs,to child sponsorship,to their medical clinic and their rescuing of countless girls trapped in the horrors of sex trafficking, ICA is an organization that truely transforms the lives of those they help with dignity and preservation. Pat and Sue Bradley are full of compassion, integrity, and pursue their commitment to sustaining life in areas of crisis with an unyeilding strength. I have personally seen the transformation of those this organization has touched. I have been given the privledge to speak with young, terrified girls unsure of even their own shadow and see them blossom into captivating women, who are ready to go out and make a difference in the lives of others continuing the chain of love and security that they have recieved.

We hosted a anual patient appreciation day at our office and ICA was the organization that all of the proceeds went to from that day. They set up a booth in our office and not only were they very informative but they connected with several different people and made them very proud to be a part of helping with all of the work that ICA does. We have worked with other Non-profit organizations and and ICA is the standard by which non-profit excellence should be measured. They were extremely professional in their dealings with every one in our office. We just want to say thanks to ICA for giving us an opportunity to help.

I was lucky enough to be able to work with ICA on three different occasions in Ethiopia. I was able to see ICA support people in helping people to help themselves to support theirselves. It was amazing to watch them in action and to be a part of it. I also was able to meet some girls rescued off the streets and given the means to expand themselves. The joy and relief on their faces are priceless. I feel such an honor to know ICA,see them in action and have been a part of such a blessing.

I love this organization. They do a great deal of work with rescuing women/young people from the horrors of sex trafficking. I see many of the photos that come from the field and I can see the changes in the girls faces as they are given a new life and a safe place to stay. Some have children and they will also have an opportunity for a happy life. In addition, the work they are doing to help feed families and provide medical care for them is incredible. Many times they go to the hard to reach areas where people are desperate for help. This is a solid, focused organization and they have my vote - A+!

ICA is an amazing organization. They first caught my eye at a school organization convention. I had never heard of sex trafficking before and I defintely didn't know how rampant it is. Through my school we raised money to help support the ICA SAFE homes for girls rescued from sex trafficking. ICA was so helpful in sending us information and even sent a speaker to our school for no cost. It is such an amazing thing to see an organzation speak for those girls who have no voice. ICA is love, plain and simple. Wherever there is a great need, ICA is there to provide for the people.

ICA has raised the awareness of many of us in Missouri of the tremendous need for programming to address the issue of human trafficking of American girls. This is a need that many of us who have been in children and family services for many hears had not really taken the time to consider. ICA not only has the concern, but has developed programming in other countries to address this issue in those places. Because of its reputation and success, it has been asked to provide programming in the states to help American children caught up in this dreadful situation. We commend ICA for its leadership and continuing role in meeting this need.

I first became interrested in International Crisis Aid (ICA) thru a friend who had spent a summer working with them in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She took bio's and pictures of children for the sponsorship program. When I saw the pictures, heard the stories, I knew the time had come when I could no longer turn the channel or page away from the images because it hurt too much to view it. My husband and myself picked a child to sponsor encourage others to do so. After going online and researching, we were/are able to recommend International Crisis Aid as an NGO who uses ALL donations properly. They have a very small staff and at least 90 cents out of every dollar goes toward the programs. In October of 2009, we were able to be part of a trip to Ethiopia. We saw how ICA is using every donation to make a difference. The feeding program at Medical CLinic that most of the people walked at least 10 miles to get to. This clinic is the only source of help/hope for too many miles to count. This clinic is being run at such a high standard that it is rated higher than most hospitals in Ethiopia. How can I begin to explain what the experience of helping to feed starving people is? I can say that each person who received food thru ICA was treated with the utmost respect and care. During the week I was able to work along side Pat Bradley the founder of ICA and staff members. At the clinic, orphanage, girls homes and while we were going thru the Red Light District, you can see what a difference ICA has made in lives in Ethiopia. For the girls at the orphanage, ICA has given them a safe place to grow, learn and develop into strong women who will make a difference in their country. For the girls rescued from the Red Light District, ICA has given them a safe home for themselves and their children. They no longer have to sell their bodies. They are being taught skills that will enable them to work at a occupation they are proud of. To build a life that is free and full of hope. For the people who now have a safe, clean Health Clinic, ICA is the difference between life and death. For the child or family that will eat today that didn't yesterday, ICA is truely all that stands certain starvation. For each of us that went in October, we will forever be changed because we see what love can do. As a Christian, I believe ICA is truely loving others as Jesus loved/loves us.