Tia Foundation

Hi! My name is Kate Denney and I am the new summer fundraising intern for the Tia Foundation.   I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of San Diego.  I am originally from the Bay Area, so I am enjoying the change of scenery and warmer weather in Glendale!

I am a current student in the MA in Global Affairs and Management program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. I am graduating in December with a focus in International Development, especially on sustainable programs like Tia’s.  I am so excited to work with Laura on fund raising and special events throughout the summer.  I can’t wait to contribute to the initiatives of Tia and learn as much as possible about nonprofit development!

Hello, my name is Nicole Ostrofe, and I am the new Marketing/Public Relations intern at the Tia Foundation! I have always thought of Tia as a great cause, and for months wondered if I would have the chance to volunteer. After contributing time at an underprivileged pre-school in San Diego (HeadStart), while in college, I knew my heart was in helping people, most especially children. I am so excited for this wonderful opportunity, and cannot wait to begin helping at Tia.

I recently graduated from the University of San Diego, receiving my degree in Psychology and Pre-law. I studied abroad  in Guadalajara, Mexico, Vienna, Austria, as well as in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, China. I moved to Arizona to further my education, getting my Masters at Thunderbird in International Business Management. I enjoy traveling, eating foods from different cultures, helping others in need, and enjoy music and dance of all kinds.

In wanting to get fieldwork experience in Mexico, as well as give back to the region where I studied abroad during my undergraduate years, I was thrilled when I came across the opportunity to give time to Tia. I look forward to helping Laura, and the rest of her hard working team to make a difference in so many peoples’ lives!

I will keep in touch with you whenever there is an update on our progress. Until then…

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting our mission, and provide you with an update on how the H1N1 virus is affecting our projects at Tia. As you may know, the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) caused delays for Tia’s newest launch, scheduled to run in early June.  We have been informed that our medical brigade will not be available to run our training until early August.

The State of Jalisco needs our brigade in order to combat the swine flu.  Also, UAG’s (Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara’s) Medical School fell behind in their curriculum, due to closures in Mexico. Since their school year ends in early June, they will be unable to make their brigade available to train our Promotoras until August.

Although disappointed at a further delay, we understand and support the reasoning.  Since we recently received a grant to hire a Medical Director, this postponement provides the opportunity to find the right candidate and train them properly, which will help Tia tremendously.

The H1N1 virus serves to illustrate the dire need for our type of health development programs, which teach hygiene and educate communities on how to combat disease and improve their nutrition, which are the best defense against unfortunate outbreaks such as the H1N1. Lack of access to healthcare, coupled with malnutrition, makes the poor especially vulnerable to disease and complications, which is why we strive to provide poor Mexicans in rural areas the opportunity for immense improvement.

We very much appreciate any financial support you may offer, as well as your patience with the delay of the next launch. Because of meaningful investments by our donors, we are able to more thoroughly protect the health and safety of 30,000-50,000 residents in our current Tia villages. We hope to make it to 60,000 residents or more by our next launch in August. Please help us turn this important challenge into reality!

We are very happy to announce our next project launch during the week of May 18th!  These kids are from La Cruz Vieja, in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zuniga in the State of Jalisco.  Though this area is not far outside of Guadalajara, they are off the beaten path.  Dr. Francisco Rico (the head of UAG’s PMC Program), and Laura Libman (Tia’s President), recently spoke to residents and officials, who are excited to begin.

Check back soon for more details and photos from the launch!

Make your voice heard and vote for Tia in the People’s Choice Poll (Be More Humble)!  The organization who gets the most votes, wins the People’s Choice, so encourage your friends and family to vote too.  The winning organizations receive a cash award and lots of much needed exposure through Channel 8.  Voting closes on March 31st, so  Vote here now!

We love the “feel good” aspect of our work, but our true success is demonstrated by our results.  We conduct a baseline data study before we begin a project and then conduct a follow up study at 3 months, 6 months and then annually.  These studies allow us to track our progress and provide actual metrics.  Here are a few examples of those measurable results:

• Increase of blood pressure checks from once or twice annually to once a week for villagers suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes, the two most common chronic diseases where we work
• Increase from 0% to 52% the number of villagers who are brushing their teeth at least daily (twice daily for 50% of the children) and who are washing their hands before handling food or after using the bathroom
• Increased from 0% to 76% the number of households who have participated in our village education programs on nutrition, sanitation, and other important health topics

In addition to the very significant behavior changes detailed above, we are also proud of some of our other numbers:

• Over 30,000 rural Mexicans now have access to health care, delivered by our 98 Community Health Workers (Promotoras)
• Through Tia’s partnership with Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s (UAG) Programa de Medicina en la Comunidad (Community Medicine Program), thousands of villagers have received direct care from UAG’s medical students and faculty
• The Tia Foundation is able to provide our services at a cost of less than $5 per person, for a permanent, sustainable program

The Tia Foundation is in the running for the Be More Knowledgeable Award in Eight’s Be More Awards!  The awards are sponsored by Arizona’s PBS Station for non-profit organizations who demonstrate their achievements and accomplishments in one of five award categories.

Make your voice heard and vote for Tia in the People’s Choice Poll (Be More Humble)!  The organization who gets the most votes, wins the People’s Choice, so encourage your friends and family to vote too.  The winning organizations receive a cash award and lots of much needed exposure through Channel 8.  Voting closes on March 31st, so  Vote here now!

The five award different categories include marketing initiatives (Be More Informed), exceptional educational outreach (Be More Knowledgeable), exceptional arts and culture outreach (Be More Creative), innovative organization endeavors (Be More Brilliant), and extraordinary fundraising and event efforts (Be More Entertaining).

Tia celebrated its 3rd anniversary of incorporation on January 17th!  We didn’t have a chance to celebrate though; we are too busy getting ready for our exciting, new spring projects.

Amazing things are happening in our villages since we started:

• The Community Health Workers (Promotoras) are organizing themselves and their fellow community members to address other aspects of their life that need improvement and setting target goals
• Promotoras assist the doctor at their monthly visits to the local clinic, conducting triage, taking patient histories, and performing procedures
• Over 30,000 people now have access to medical care at a cost of less than $5 per person
• Children are receiving much need health education, ensuring the next generation will enjoy a better quality of life
• 98 women, who lacked self-confidence and respect prior to becoming Promotoras, have now become  community leaders with dignity

What Tia has accomplished in the last three years would not have been possible without our fantastic donors, volunteers, interns, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s Community Medicine Program, and the villagers themselves.  Thank you!  You deserve to celebrate too!

Brave New Workshop (BNW) sent their holiday greetings to their clients via this innovative e-card, which contains a link to three short videos.  The first two clips are of Tia Community Health Worker Rosy outside her home in El Reparo, Jalisco.  The third clip shows Tia’s projects in action with a voice over description by Laura Libman.  What a creative way to send their best wishes and demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility!

Based in Minneapolis, Brave New Workshop (BNW) provides custom entertainment corporate services, in addition to their well-known comedy theatre and school of improvisation.  Each year, BNW features a different worthy organization and makes a significant donation.  Tia is most honored to be selected this year!  Thank you to John Sweeney, Elena Imaretska, Dawn Hopkins and everyone at BNW!