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Softly International
is a non-profit service organization for children.
It is supported by many different church denominations,
schools and service groups.
 It all started in 1997
when Eloise and Jack Vincent. long time members of Unity
Church of Fairfax, Virginia were introduced to the
plight of Nicaraguan refugee families living in terrible
ghettos in Costa Rica.
These families were living in crowded shacks constructed
of scrap metal, often with dirt floors, and no plumbing.
One of the major health problems, when living under
these conditions, is constant intestinal parasites.
They can be purged with medicine but as the Red Cross
has told us, "These infestations will return as long as
the kids sleep on piles of damp blankets on the floor.
They need to be lifted up into their own individual
beds."
So Unity people started
providing bunk beds that could be assembled right in the
little houses with the help of the families themselves
and even their kids would sleep in a bed for the very
first time. Thanks to Unity volunteers and
funding, the first 100 beds were delivered on
Valentine's weekend in 1998.
The program is based on
the five Unity principles which are also common in many
teachings of most religions.
| God
has created us as one global family.
The Christ spirit within us
guides us to embrace and unite this global
family. WE co-create our
future and, through prayer,
affirm our good. And we always take
action. |
Churches have organized
mission groups and youth groups to go and truly
experience the joy of "love lifted me" from sickness and
hopelessness to an awareness of "my global family truly
loves me."
The majority of funding for SOFTLY has come from
like minded churches and individuals.
Many churches have regularly given a portion of their
monthly tithes. |
