Our Programs

Healing The Children Northeast provides medical and dental services to children throughout the world who lack medical and financial resources. Fifteen chapters are located across the United States and work together to provide services to children, both domestically and abroad. Healing the Children Northeast is a Connecticut based non-profit organization founded in 1985. At the end of 2022 our Northeast Chapter has provided services to 61,102 children through our three programs.

  • Medical Trips Abroad Program

  • International Inbound Program

  • Domestic Kids Program

Medical Teams Abroad Program

Our Medical Teams Abroad Program reaches across national boundaries to provide our world’s children with desperately needed medical care. We arrange teams of volunteer doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals to go to less developed countries where they provide medical treatments and surgeries for children in need. In 2022 our teams traveled to Bolivia, Ukraine, Colombia and Ecuador.  In 2022 we provided services to 783 children and performed 1,431 procedures.  From it’s inception in 1985 to the end of 2022 this program alone has provided services to 56,147 children and young adults.

2022 Summary

During 2022 our Medical Teams Abroad Program sent out 5 teams consisting of Facial Plastic, Cleft Lip and Palate,  Speech Pathology,  and Dental Specialties. These teams traveled to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Ukraine.  74 team members traveled with us this year of which 23 were new members.

2022 Breakdown of children treated by specialty

86

Facial/Plastics Cleft

68

Speech

422

Dental

               Adults treated in Ukraine: 34

  • $2,142,135

    Our medical teams performed 1,431 procedures in 2022

  • $203,850.26

    Donated medical supplies brought on all of these trips were valued at in-kind $203,850.26

    $203,850.26

  • $20,000

    Speech Teams provided educational workshops and training valued at $20,000

Examples of what we provide

Facial Plastics/Maxillofacial surgery, cleft lip and palate/microtia (ear), Speech Pathology, Burn and hand reconstruction, dental services such as extractions, minor oral surgery, filings, hygiene and education.

Our Cleft Teams treat cleft lip and palate deformities which are two types of birth defects that occur during the early stages of pregnancy.  When the nose, lip, palate and jaw are supposed to fuse but fail to do so, results in a deformity known as a cleft lip or palate. The cleft lip is a gap in between the nose and mouth, while the cleft palate is a huge fissure on the roof of the mouth. This deformity can make eating, drinking, speaking and in some cases breathing difficult.

Millions of children where we travel go untreated and live in isolation. Cleft surgery is simple and the results are life altering.

Did you know?

  • A cleft lip/palate surgery for one child costs $250.00
  • Disposable supplies cost as little as $10.00 per surgery
  • Surgical Blades cost as little as $25.00 per surgery
  • Sutures cost as little as $50.00 per surgery
  • Instruments cost as little as $100.00 per surgery
BeforeAfter

International Inbound Program

In early September we received a message from former patient Renita of Belize.  Renita came through our program in 2017 – 2018 and received surgery and medical treatment in Westchester County New York.  She resided in the host home of Stephen and Mary Tracy.

Renita has Spina Bifida and the surgery she received helped her to be able to walk and ride a bicycle.  Her recent message updated us on the recent hurricane and a brief medical update.  She has asked for assistance in providing her with a new pair of shoes and new leg / foot braces. We are working on the details of helping Renita receive what she needs.

If you would like to help children like Renita, please call our office at 860-355-1828 or donate through our website. 

Photo of Renita on the left and her sister

Domestic Kids Program

The Domestic Kids Program provides medical treatment and assistance to children in our local communities who are unable to get these services due to a lack of financial resources. We have arranged for children to receive services such as dental, eye care and glasses, hearing screening and hearing aids, medical, and surgical care, medical equipment/ apparatus, prescription medications, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc.

In 2022 our Domestic Kids Program helped 3 children in the Northeast Region of the U.S.

Our Domestic Kids Program was also in effect this year.  We assisted 5 local children by providing financial assistance to two local families and for educational scholarships. Total value of services – $3,000.

Healing the Children Northeast relies heavily on donations to help children. The need is great and each day, more and more parents turn to us to help their children, around the corner and around the world, one child at a time.