2023: Annual Summary

OVERVIEW: 2023 was the second full calendar year for Outreach Action Network, Inc. Those associated with us continue to enjoy a real chance to make differences in others’ lives. Looking through these notes, keep in mind how we continue to do outreach, to be committed to action, and to network

HAITI: The ongoing generosity of our donors allowed us to continue our support to build a parish school. The school project is a bright spot of hope for the people there. Because of your donations, work on the construction of its planned school continues apace. Please give what you can. Your financial support of efforts there are making a tremendous difference in the lives of many. Take time to look at the pictures below that show how a school is having a huge impact on the community along with pictures of some of the of the children whose futures have a real chance to be better because of you.

UKRAINE/POLAND: We continued to support work at a Catholic church in Poland. This parish took in Ukrainian women and children who have been affected by the armed conflict in their home country. These refugees were given a safe haven during these uncertain times. We were able to provide some support to them to help defray their everyday living costs. We have discovered that they have since been relocated to parts of Western Europe so that they can take up their lives in newer and safer areas. Similarly, we became aware of the efforts of another Polish priest who is doing work to expand worship centers there and in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, there are a great number of needs that must be addressed if our world is to become a better place. Fortunately, we are in contact with those who not only can use the financial support, but we are assured that the support finds its way to those truly in need. We are able to use our blessings to be a blessing to others.

LOCAL NETWORKING: Networking is another way for us to engage “the spirit of helping others” in our daily lives. We are learning what we can about others’ efforts to support refugees who are relocating to the Calumet Region. Our aim is not to replicate services, but we would like to explore ways in which we can support work that is being spearheaded by others like us. This could provide wonderful opportunities that align with our objectives.

FINANCES: Thanks to your generosity, we continued to see a nice donation level. We were able to wire your donations to the parish school in Haiti twice. These contributions are going a long way toward helping them reach their goals. Similarly, we were able to support the Ukrainian refugees, and we wired money to both of our priest contacts in Poland for their efforts.

Our expenses consist solely of ongoing bank fees. Based on 2023 figures, 99.0% of all donated dollars find their way to the people and projects that are important to you. We feel blessed.

GOING FORWARD: We are excited to continue our support of notable, caring projects. If anyone is aware of people in need anywhere, we are open to working with him or her to see how we can make a positive impact on everyday people. We will be known by what we do and not just by what we say. We are constantly looking for opportunities for “Doing Good...Together.”

2022: Annual Summary

OVERVIEW: 2022 was the first full calendar year for Outreach Action Network, Inc. Those associated with us continue to enjoy a real chance to make differences in others’ lives. Looking through these notes, keep in mind how we continue to do outreach, to be committed to action, and to network

HAITI: The ongoing generosity of our donors allowed us to continue our support to build a parish school. Conditions in Haiti have generally deteriorated in this poorest of countries. The school project is a bright spot of hope for the people there. Because of your donations, work on the construction of its planned school, which has grown to over 120 full-time elementary students, continues. We remain in active contact with the parish as they work to coordinate this special project with their daily activities. Please give what you can when you can. It has been said that sometimes, we plant trees knowing full well that we may never enjoy their fruit. Our work in Haiti reflects this thought. Please see pictures below that show how a jungle plot is being transformed into a school and a portion of the children whose futures have a real chance to be better because of you.

UKRAINE/POLAND: Early in 2022, we discovered the need of Ukrainian citizens to have access to many things that we take for granted, such as personal hygiene items and diapers, the result of Russian atrocities. Our members found local parishes who were involved with this effort and stepped up as individuals, providing many boxes of needed items that were subsequently shipped overseas by them. This is a great example of why networking is so important and how it can work. We, then, became aware of a Polish priest who has taken in eighteen women and children so that these refugees may have a safe haven during these uncertain times. We were able to provide some support to them to help defray their everyday living costs. Again, if this is an effort that speaks to you and you have the ability to help, please give what you can when you can. Two of these special people can be seen below as they prepared for Easter.

LOCAL NETWORKING: Networking is another way for us to engage “the spirit of helping others” in our daily lives. We are learning what we can about others’ efforts to support refugees who are relocating to the Calumet Region. Our aim is not to replicate services, but we would like to explore ways in which we can support work that is being spearheaded by others like us. This could provide wonderful opportunities that align with our objectives.

FINANCES: Thanks to your generosity, we received more donations this year than last. We were able to wire your donations to the parish school in Haiti three times. These contributions are going a long way toward helping them reach their goals. Similarly, we were able to support the Ukrainian refugees.

Our expenses consist solely of ongoing bank fees. Based on 2022 figures, 98.8% of all donated dollars find their way to the people and projects that are important to you. We feel blessed.

GOING FORWARD: We are excited to continue our support of notable, caring projects. If anyone is aware of people in need anywhere, we are open to working with him or her to see how we can make a positive impact on everyday people. We will be known by what we do and not just by what we say. We are constantly looking for opportunities for “Doing Good...Together.”

2021: Annual Summary

OVERVIEW: The year 2021 was exciting if for no other reason than it was the inaugural year for The Outreach Action Network, Inc. We believe that this is simply the first step in giving people a real chance to make differences in the lives of others.

The idea for the network originated with a small group who established a connection with a church in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere. That church was responding to requests from people who were looking for a way to provide high-quality educations for generations to come. The group began by raising money to help provide families with goats to help with their living standards. They also were able to provide funding so that places to learn could be built and supplied. After beginning with just one incoming kindergarten class, that school now has over 120 students and continues to add a grade each year. Please note what has been accomplished there by referring to the pictures at the end of this report.

Unfortunately, supporting this effort bogged down due to bureaucratic red tape. As a result, this small group of people decided that they could continue to do this kind of work themselves as an independent agency.

After a lot of legal work, on June 7th, the State of Illinois recognized our network as a non-profit corporation. This became the real launching date of the organization. We established a banking partnership on June 15th so that we can operate in an efficient and effective way. We also established an e-mail account so that we can communicate more easily with those who support us.

September 18th proved to be another significant day. It was on this day that the Internal Revenue Service accepted our application to operate as an organization exempt from federal taxes as specified in section 501 (c) 3. All donations to Outreach Action Network, Inc. can be declared on individuals’ federal tax returns.

FINANCES: Thanks to the generosity of many people, we received donations after we were established. As a result, we were able to wire a significant amount of money to the parish school in Haiti on November 8th. It was well-received and will go a long way into helping this community reach the goals that they seek. Because of the make-up of the network, our expenses have been minimal. They consisted solely of one-time application fees to the federal government and any ongoing banking fees. Our expenses make up a very small percentage of our operation.

GOING FORWARD: We are excited to continue our support of notable, caring projects in the future. If anyone is aware of people in need either nearby or elsewhere, we would be open to working with him or her to see how we can make a positive impact on everyday people. We are constantly looking for opportunities for “Doing Good...Together.”

Ukraine / Poland Outreach

OAN is working with a Polish Parish that is helping shelter Ukrainian women and children. We have established a support "pipeline" to get financial help to him. He received funds from us and will be receiving additional help provided by your generosity.

From Fr. Piotr, 4/16/22
Thank you very much for remembering and a much-needed gift of prayer. The guests are holding out bravely, although they bombed their towns near Kiev tonight. They believe that this tragedy and the cruel war will end soon. I wish you a lot of God's favors for the Feast of God's Resurrection and I assure you of my prayers for your intention. Thank you for your help, support, and your kind and sensitive hearts.