By Anne Lever AS chairperson of the Lignum Vitae Centre of Hope, I would like to extend a very sincere thank you to all those responsible for making this supplement become a reality - the private sponsors, the advertisers, and particularly the dynamic team of volunteers who have selflessly given their time and talents to provide you, the readers, with an opportunity to learn more about the exemplary work that is being performed by charitable organisations in our country. Lignum Vitae Centre of Hope (LVCH) is a fully registered non-profit organisation that was spawned some two years ago by a group of caring citizens, cognizant of the alarming increase of social ills in the Bahamas and determined to bring about positive change. Immediately, the philosophy of solving problems rather than treating symptoms was embraced...of giving a HandUP instead of a HandOUT. "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." - John Holmes In a recent Tribune editorial, following the official launch of the Government's Volunteer Bahamas programme, it was reported that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had reminded us of the joy of giving, and the satisfaction that comes in seeing a fellow citizen succeed as a result of a helping hand that has been extended. We at LVCH fully endorse the Volunteer programme's vision of forming partnerships between community-based organisations, religious groups, government, corporate Bahamas and individual citizens, in order to combat the widespread problems of crime, poverty and despair that have become so prevalent in our society. Indeed an integral part of our mandate is to encourage collaboration and communication between existing charitable organisations and to offer assistance so that they are structured in a way that will enable them to offer services that are more effective. The ultimate goal therefore would be to see shorter lines at the soup kitchens and such, through seeking ways to empower needy families and individuals to become self-sufficient, to help them...to help themselves. LVCH is a unique organisation with a holistic approach to helping others. We see ourselves as an agency of change, synthesising and networking with existing organisations as we pursue our common purpose of helping those in need. Some of our objectives are to offer workshops that will enhance the structural aspect of organisations, share the benefits of social entrepreneurship and provide fundraising-skill training, so that those being helped by charitable organisations will be more effectively served. In addition, organisations will become more suitable candidates when being considered by corporate sponsors seeking to provide funding. Simultaneously we are building a comprehensive directory of organisations to which potential donors, as well as those in need of a specific service, or those wishing to volunteer, may refer. Like the lignum vitae tree itself, LVCH is multi-faceted, and another means of bringing about positive change is through our social outreach programmes which currently focus on developing our youth...the leaders of the future. The Bahamas 4H programme has been implemented in the Urban Renewal Centres of New Providence and already results are encouraging. Likewise, the results of our School Readiness pilot programme currently underway in a local primary school, is showing positive results. Other projects that will primarily target the youth are presently in the making. BahamaVOICE was conceived as we became aware of the need for a medium through which the charitable organisations that work tirelessly can be heard...and so finally, the VOICE is here. We invite you all to 'Get Involved' by playing your part in making the Bahamas a better place for its residents and visitors alike. At the same time, we would like to challenge you to examine, not only what you have to give but more importantly, how you can give what you have, more wisely.