Thursday, September 29, 2011

Watch for a New HBI Website

We are jumping in with both feet. Okay, enough with the metaphors. HBI has decided to overhaul our organizational website with the expert guidance and support of Pac/West Communications.

Be on the lookout for a brand new Health Bridges International website in the very near future. Our new website promises to connect HBI partners and stakeholders to more information about the programs and projects that drive our work.

We are excited to use our new web presence to reach more people and make a bigger difference.

Stay tuned . . .

Sunday, September 25, 2011

HBI Website Overhaul

We have been working with a fantastic public relations and media promotions firm (PacWest). Their insights and professional knowledge are tremendous. One of the ways that they are helping HBI is with our Bridging the Divide 1ookm run event.

PacWest has told us we need to overhaul our website. They are right. HBI has grown tremendously in the past 5-years, but our website has remained relatively static. This overhaul is a fairly expensive (for a small non-profit) proposition.

I have been struggling to figure out how we can afford the redevelopment of our site. I have been trying to figure out how diverting money from our operations budget to pay for the overhaul of the website will enable HBI to better fulfill our mission. I have been worrying about where the money would possibly come from.

Then it became clear to me - the website is a significant tool for us to reach a broad base of stakeholders. The HBI website to a huge tool for disseminating our vision and our message. The website is a mechanism for us to build sustainable health in the lives of people living in extreme poverty.

So here is the deal, I am reaching out to HBI's supporters. I am asking for help. We need to redevelop our website - and in doing such we will be better equipped to expand our work. So, if you are inclined - please make a donation to help us expand and extend our reach.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Follow Us

Okay - I get it. We are a bit of a late adopter of the new technology. AND, HBI is now on Twitter.

Please follow our Twitter account at - HealthBridges

Look for frequent updates and links to our activities.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Photo: HBI "super" volunteer Eric Robinson tends the grills

Photo: Thank you to our friend the tree for helping to keep us somewhat dry.

Thank you very much to all the hearty souls who made it out to the first (what we hope will be an annual event) HBI Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.

In spite of the inclement weather - we are in Portland and the later half of the month of September is never a sure bet for sunshine - we had a great group. Our HBI team prepared some fantastic food (thank you Ben, Alyssa, Eric and Bridgette). Thanks to the graceful branches of an enormous old oak tree, we remained relatively unscathed by the intermittent rain.

The event was our chance to say "thank you" to the many people who make-up the HBI family. Over the years literally hundreds of people have been involved in the work of HBI - as participants on an outreach trip and volunteer supporters at an event in the U.S. The Volunteer Appreciation Picnic was our way of saying thank you and inviting people to continue working with HBI and our mission to make a difference in the world by bridging resources to needs.

To all who showed up in the rain yesterday - thanks. To those who were unable to attend from the Portland area - we will be having another event in a few weeks to celebrate Father Alex's visit to Portland and you are invited . . . stay tuned for an invitation. For those outside of the Portland area - make plans to join us next year (we promise to plan the event for August, when sunshine is almost assured) for the picnic and stay connected to the happenings of HBI on our Blog and Website.

As always, thank you to everyone for your support and dedication to the work of HBI.