WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST The Polus Center supports these and many more initiatives that help people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups become valued citizens within their communities. The word “Polus” is of Latin origin and means the highest point, suggesting reaching for the ideal. The name invokes people being at their best by helping each other and welcoming one another into a meaningful community life. A general unrestricted donation will enable the Polus Center to apply the contribution where it is needed most.

"GIFTS THAT MATTER" CATALOG Next time you need a gift for a wedding, birthday, holiday or any occasion, skip the mall - give hope instead - and honor that special person with a gift that matters. Make a donation in their name to one of seven great Polus causes, and receive an attractive explanatory gift card to give to your recipient. Choose a gift from our online catalog...

BUILD A WHEELCHAIR The wheelchair project supports the PLUSSA wheelchair manufacturing facility in Nicaragua, which employs wheelchair users and other people with disabilities and produces custom-fit wheelchairs that are given to those who could otherwise not afford them. Each wheelchair costs $250; a donation of any amount will go toward purchasing a customized wheelchair and the education and follow-up services that go with it.

GIVE A GOAT The Give a Child a Goat Project elevates the status of children with disabilities and their families. A child with a disability who owns a goat holds a valued position in local Ugandan society, since goats provide families with a sustainable livelihood of food and milk. $45 purchases a goat for a child in Uganda.

COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION CLINICS Established in 1999 after three years of planning and development, Walking Unidos manufactures and fits prosthetic limbs and orthotics, provides prosthetic repairs, adjustments and foot replacements. The project is governed and operated by the local community and has a Board of Directors in León composed of community leaders. The Vida Nueva Prosthetic Outreach Program celebrated its grand opening on February 20, 2003 in Choluteca, Honduras. The clinic provides custom made and fitted, high quality prosthetics and orthoics at little or no cost to those who have lost limbs. Your donation of $75 will purchase an artificial limb and the corresponding rehabilitation services.

SHARED LIVING Shared Living is an alternative to traditional residential service models for people with disabilities. It invites the exploration of creative ways for people to live, problem solve, and celebrate together. By assisting people to live in regular homes as part of a family and by promoting natural supports, people with disabilities are able to live, work and enjoy leisure pursuits within their communities. Since 1991, the Polus Center has helped in Massachusetts to establish and support households where people with and without disabilities live together in mutually beneficial relationships that are based on positive social values, respect for everybody in the household, and are characterized by loyalty and affection for one another. In 2010, the Polus Center began providing shared living services in New Hanmpshire as well.

EL PORVENIR SCHOOL The drought that hit the village of El Porvenir Nicaragua was particularly hard because El Porvenir depends on farming as a source of food. The volunteers went there and met many families who had only a pan of dried corn and a bowl of salt as their food supply, and whose children hadn’t eaten in days. The children were emaciated and ragged, and the people were losing hope. No government, local or international agency was assisting this village in any way. The nearest primary school was a 5 kilometer walk away. The teacher told the volunteers that no children were coming to school because they were too hungry to pay attention. Volunteers who had traveled to Nicaragua to support Walking Unidos made the immediate decision to help these people with their own funds and a new school was built. The support you give to El Porvenir is simple and direct. Every child who comes to preschool receives breakfast and lunch.

COFFEELANDS TRUST The Coffeelands Trust is a fund which provides direct support to coffee farmers and their families. The Trust connects the international coffee communities and coffee consumers to victims of conflict and provides much needed support for a wide range of services. The Trust helps men, women, and children access new vocational, educational and social opportunities.