Feel Good Friday - Partners In Health

Today is International Universal Health Coverage Day, a global observance advocating for accessible, quality healthcare for everyone—making it the perfect time to spotlight Partners In Health.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the mission of Partners In Health is "to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. By establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty, Partners In Health strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair."

To hear the origin story of Partners In Health directly from co-founders Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl, you can watch the documentary, Bending the Arc, which is available to stream for free on their website. This powerful film chronicles how three young idealists in their teens began a movement that would forever change global health.

Partners In Health operates on a revolutionary model rooted in accompaniment. That means meeting patients where they are and providing not just medical care, but addressing social determinants of health like food, housing, and clean water. Central to this approach is their community health worker program, which employs more than 12,000 trusted community members worldwide who serve as bridges between health systems and patients. These workers make home visits, provide social support, and ensure patients receive consistent care. Research shows PIH patients supported by community health workers are more likely to remain in care and less likely to die compared to patients at other facilities.

In 2024 alone Partners In Health has delivered remarkable impact: 2.9 million outpatient visits in supported clinics, 795,200 home visits by community health workers, 152,430 prenatal care visits to support healthy pregnancies. You can read the full impact report here. Their work spans 11 countries including Haiti, Peru, Rwanda, Mexico, Malawi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Russia, and the Navajo Nation within the United States.

If you'd like to support Partners In Health, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation to sustain their life-saving work, join PIH Engage as a volunteer community organizer in your area, or amplify their message on social media. Follow PIH on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, subscribe to their YouTube channel and share their stories of hope and healing with your network.

Feel Good Friday - JJoy Foundation

In February, I'll be heading to Cambodia with the JJoy Foundation for my 9th volunteer house building trip, which inspired me to spotlight their incredible work this week.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the mission of JJoy Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in underserved communities around the world through education, health, and housing programs.

JJoy's work spans multiple areas: they provide educational support and scholarships, deliver health and wellness programs, and build housing for families in need. My volunteer work in February will focus on their housing initiatives in Cambodia, where they partner with Volunteer Building Cambodia, a locally-run organization that's been improving living conditions for families in rural Cambodia for the past 11 years. Together, they build sturdy, traditional Khmer-style homes and latrines for families living in inadequate housing.

In rural Cambodia, 85% of families lack adequate sanitation and 35% don't have access to safe water. Dilapidated homes require constant repairs, stealing time and resources families need to focus on education, health, and livelihoods. When JJoy builds a secure home with proper sanitation, children have a safe place to study and sleep, parents can invest time in income-generating work, and the entire family gains dignity and stability.

The organization's volunteer-powered model brings people from around the world to work alongside local builders, creating not just homes but connections across cultures. These aren't just construction projects—they're foundations for better futures. Since JJoy began, volunteers have completed 104 project that have benefited more than 2,000 people!

If you'd like to support JJoy Foundation, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation through my personal fundraising page (my goal is to raise $1,000 by December 17th), or amplify their message on social media. Follow JJoy on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel. I'll also be sharing photos and stories from my trip on my Hey Miss K blog—stay tuned!

Feel Good Friday - StoryCorps

While many people call the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday and spend it shopping, it’s also a day for The Great Thanksgiving Listen, created by today’s organization, StoryCorps.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the mission of StoryCorps is “to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all—one story at a time.” 

Since its founding, StoryCorps has helped nearly 700,000 people across the country have meaningful conversations about their lives, with recordings collected in the U.S. Library of Congress in what is now the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered. To hear how StoryCorps works directly from the founder, Dave Isay, watch this 3-minute animated Introduction to StoryCorps video.

In 2008, StoryCorps launched the National Day of Listening, an initiative that asks Americans to set aside time to record the stories of their families, friends, and local communities. It occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving as an alternative to Black Friday shopping. In 2015, StoryCorps evolved the project into The Great Thanksgiving Listen and began encouraging intergenerational conversations, with young people interviewing elders, mentors, and those they admire.

Additional programs include the Military Voices Initiative for veterans and military families, the Memory Loss Initiative for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss, and the Griot Initiative preserving the voices and experiences of African Americans. You can see their full list of programs here. 

If you’re curious to hear stories from your older relatives, I encourage you to talk to them while you still can. You can record a conversation using the free StoryCorps mobile app or visit the MobileBooth as it tours the country. Select stories are shared with the public through weekly broadcasts, their podcast, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books. Listening to, or contributing, a story is a great way learn about what we have in common.

If you'd like to support StoryCorps, you can make a donation to help preserve the stories of our time in America and amplify their message on social media. Follow StoryCorps on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to their YouTube channel. Happy Great Thanksgiving Listen!