Concern+Worldwide+US

Who created this organization?
Concern was founded in Ireland in 1968 when a small group of extraordinary individuals came together to respond to the devastating scarcity of food in Biafra. Images and reports of the crisis in Biafra were televised throughout the world, but had particular significance in Ireland. The country had its own experience of the famine which made the people have a special link with Biafra. But Ireland also had close links with Nigeria through the thousands of Irish missionaries working in schools and hospitals there.

Mission Statement
Concern Worldwide USA is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries. Since its foundation in 1968, Concern Worldwide through its work in emergencies and long-term development has saved countless lives, relieved suffering, and provided opportunities for a better standard of living for millions of people. We work primarily in the countries ranked in the bottom 40 of the United Nations Human Development Report. Concern implements emergency response programs as well as long-term development programs in the areas of livelihoods, health, HIV&AIDS, and education.

-Board members of Concern Worldwide US

How is Concern making a difference

 * **HIV and AIDS** - The spread and impact of HIV and AIDS are likely to continue to threaten poverty over the coming decade. Extreme poverty, gender inequality and gender based violence, unfairness in terms of low access to treatment services, and human rights violations are still the main causes of HIV and AIDS pandemics. So, Concern’s aim is to reduce HIV incidence and to minimize the impact of HIV and AIDS among people living in extreme poverty. The team said, " Our particular emphasis is on four program goals: stigma and prevention; care and treatment support; nutrition and livelihood security interventions, and responding to HIV and AIDS in emergencies."

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 * **Education** - Access to education is not only an important human right, but also a key factor in reducing poverty and child labor. If every child left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be taken out of poverty. For over 30 years, Concern has been working to improve access to basic education among the poorest people in the world. Today, Concern has education programs in 13 countries, benefiting 420,000 people, including children, teachers, and family members. The Concern team says, "We place particular emphasis on reaching those who have been excluded from the formal schooling system, such as girls, children living in slums or isolated rural areas, orphans, working children, children belonging to minority groups, children affected and infected by HIV and AIDS, and children with disabilities."
 * **Livelihoods** - The majority of the world's poorest people live in rural areas, and really depend on natural resources and the environment for their livelihoods. In many areas of the world the number of people living in absolute poverty is rising. One in every two children in the world lives in poverty. The team said, "Concern's livelihoods program targets those who lack representation, power and status that prevents them claiming their rights and denies them opportunities to improve their lives. The program aims to reduce-and ultimately eliminate-absolute poverty by empowering our program participants to break free of the cycle of poverty. To do this we enable them to: produce more food; secure access to a reliable food supply; reduce their vulnerability to droughts and improve their access to water. Concern spends about a third of its overseas budget on the livelihoods program."

Concern Worldwide US supports the Concern network by hiring staff, supporting program development, creating public awareness of charitable issues, and financially supporting programs.

Why should we care about supporting this organization?
"Our goal is to help people living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives that last and spread without ongoing support from Concern. Our role is to ensure that people living in extreme poverty are able to meet their basic needs, achieve their rights and manage their own development. We do so by working with communities and by using our shared experience and knowledge to address the root causes of extreme poverty. To achieve this mission we engage in long-term development work, respond to emergency situations, and seek to address the root causes of poverty."

- Members of Concern

The best way that this non governmental organization can reach its goal and succeed, they need our support. They need our encouragement so that all of us can help make a difference in this world which has extreme poverty.

Where can you get involved with this organization?
One of the best ways to get involved with this organization is volunteer in the events that take place to fundraise for this charity. Concern events are an important way to help people understand and support the charitable work around the world that this organization does. They are also a great way to meet with our volunteers, staff and supporters. Every year, Concern holds six events in New York and four events in Chicago.

Contact details for Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc:

1.**New York** 355 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10017 Tel: 212-557-8000 Fax: 212-557- 8004 Contact VIA Email

**2. Chicago** 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 630 Chicago, IL 60604 Tel : 312-431-8400 Fax : 312-431-8830 Contact VIA Email

When are any upcoming events for this organization?


The next upcoming event on Wednesday June 26, 2013 is the Chicago Golf Outing. This event was a great success last year when they raised 168,000. Because of this event countless individuals and their families have benefited from various improvements to their communities.



The next event is The Women of Concern Luncheon. It is a celebration of the lives of women and girls worldwide. Each year at this special event, Concern is proud to recognize the achievements of exceptional women for their extraordinary efforts to alleviate human suffering and focus public attention on global charitable issues. The 2013 Women of Concern Award will be presented to Carla Harris, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley Investment Management on Thursday June 27, 2013 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.