Healing Works History & Mission

	HealingWorks History & Mission
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History & Mission

Founded in 1994, HealingWorks is the nation's first non-profit organization dedicated to offering holistic wellness services to low-income communities free of charge. Our mission is to empower low-income individuals to achieve physical and emotional wellness by providing them with the opportunity to experience the healing power of holistic care. We do this in the belief that when individuals have access to healing tools, they use them to create better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

HealingWorks accomplishes its mission by maintaining a volunteer network of more than 200 professional holistic practitioners who provide services such as psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage, meditation, and stress reduction programs to New Yorkers in need. Members of our volunteer network freely donate their time and skills to see individuals and lead group workshops, never receiving payment for their services. Over the last five years, these practitioner volunteers have donated over 7500 free individual treatment sessions and over 500 free workshops to financially disadvantaged people, reaching a total of more than 8000 individuals.

Whom We Serve

Now more than ever, New Yorkers need our services. HealingWorks is in a powerful position to provide disadvantaged communities with the holistic healthcare and psychotherapy services they need to reduce stress and enhance wellness during this difficult time. All too often holistic healthcare and psychotherapy are viewed as "luxuries" rather than necessities to health and well-being. The events of September 11th and their repercussions have proven beyond any doubt New York’s great need for healthcare that unites body, mind, and spirit in a quest for true healing. HealingWorks recognizes that our services are critical during this time of crisis, and seeks to bring them to vulnerable communities at no cost.

HealingWorks has found in the past that working in close coordination with existing community groups and social service agencies is an effective and cost-efficient method of reaching large numbers of individuals with our programs. Local agencies know the needs of their clients intimately; moreover, agencies often have strong ties to key leaders and groups within a neighborhood or community. By partnering with over 80 agencies from all five boroughs, Healing Works is able to make use of these community connections to reach the maximum number of people possible.

The demographics of people served by our programs varies widely—from domestic abuse victims to people living with AIDS, from at-risk youth to seniors. Because we work closely with our partner agencies, Healing Works does not employ a "one size fits all" approach to our programs. Rather, we tailor our work to meet the needs of each community group and individual we serve.

Who Supports HealingWorks?

HealingWorks is supported by grants from foundations and corporations, donations from individuals, and the volunteer services of over 200 professional holistic practitioners who generously give their time and skills.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer their skills or contribute financially to HealingWorks, please give our main office a call (212-696-9144) and we will be happy to assist you in joining our community.

We are particularly grateful to the following foundations that provided much-needed support in the last program year: The September 11th Fund, the David C. and Lura M. Lovell Foundation, the Hay Foundation, Ittleson Foundation, Lifebridge Foundation, the Ritter Foundation, Tides Foundation, and the van Ameringen Foundation.

HealingWorks Annual Report 2001

	History & Mission Founded in 1994, HealingWorks is the nation's first non-profit organization dedicated to offering holistic wellness services to low-income communities free of charge. Our mission is to empower low-income individuals to achieve physical and emotional wellness by providing them with the opportunity to experience the healing power of holistic care. We do this in the belief that when individuals have access to healing tools, they use them to create better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. HealingWorks accomplishes its mission by maintaining a volunteer network of more than 200 professional holistic practitioners who provide services such as psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage, meditation, and stress reduction programs to New Yorkers in need. Members of our volunteer network freely donate their time and skills to see individuals and lead group workshops, never receiving payment for their services. Over the last five years, these practitioner volunteers have donated over 7500 free individual treatment sessions and over 500 free workshops to financially disadvantaged people, reaching a total of more than 8000 individuals. Whom We Serve Now more than ever, New Yorkers need our services. HealingWorks is in a powerful position to provide disadvantaged communities with the holistic healthcare and psychotherapy services they need to reduce stress and enhance wellness during this difficult time. All too often holistic healthcare and psychotherapy are viewed as "luxuries" rather than necessities to health and well-being. The events of September 11th and their repercussions have proven beyond any doubt New York’s great need for healthcare that unites body, mind, and spirit in a quest for true healing. HealingWorks recognizes that our services are critical during this time of crisis, and seeks to bring them to vulnerable communities at no cost. HealingWorks has found in the past that working in close coordination with existing community groups and social service agencies is an effective and cost-efficient method of reaching large numbers of individuals with our programs. Local agencies know the needs of their clients intimately; moreover, agencies often have strong ties to key leaders and groups within a neighborhood or community. By partnering with over 80 agencies from all five boroughs, Healing Works is able to make use of these community connections to reach the maximum number of people possible. The demographics of people served by our programs varies widely—from domestic abuse victims to people living with AIDS, from at-risk youth to seniors. Because we work closely with our partner agencies, Healing Works does not employ a "one size fits all" approach to our programs. Rather, we tailor our work to meet the needs of each community group and individual we serve. Who Supports HealingWorks? HealingWorks is supported by grants from foundations and corporations, donations from individuals, and the volunteer services of over 200 professional holistic practitioners who generously give their time and skills. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer their skills or contribute financially to HealingWorks, please give our main office a call (212-696-9144) and we will be happy to assist you in joining our community. We are particularly grateful to the following foundations that provided much-needed support in the last program year: The September 11th Fund, the David C. and Lura M. Lovell Foundation, the Hay Foundation, Ittleson Foundation, Lifebridge Foundation, the Ritter Foundation, Tides Foundation, and the van Ameringen Foundation. HealingWorks Annual Report 2001
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