For Jeff Listiak the decision was simple; helping impoverished African children was not a choice, it was a duty.
The Encinitas chiropractor, owner of Integrity Chiropractic, is dedicating his efforts to helping Chiropractors with Compassion, a division of Compassion International, which is an international nonprofit that provides relief and support in the form of clothing, shelter and education to children across the world.
This holiday season, Listiak challenged his clients to help raise money to fund the widows and orphans housing project, a program of Chiropractors with Compassion. The project, titled the widows and orphans housing project, endeavors to raise more than $250,000 to fund sustainable housing for widows and children in the Nyanza Province of Kenya.
Listiak's clients are asked to refer friends and neighbors to Integrity for a free initial examination; and for each new client appointment made before Jan. 14, $20 will be donated to Chiropractors with Compassion's program. Each complimentary new patient exam includes a consultation, exam, necessary X-rays, recommendations and two weeks of care.
Although Listiak hopes to see a jump in new clients and donations throughout the holiday season, he plans to donate $20 for each new client year-round.
"Why it's so important for me (is) because … other people are suffering and we know about it and we have to make a choice as to whether or not were going to respond to it," Listiak said.
The funding, although barely enough to afford an apartment in San Diego County, can pay for the construction of many homes in the Nyanza Province. In many homes in the area, families live in homes where doors and windows are broken and thatched roves have been ravaged by the wind. These new homes include a water tank and pit latrine, and serve the needs of the families in the area.
"(The new homes are) a complete thing and that will take care of one widow, but each widow takes care of 6-10 orphans," Listiak said.
Listiak got involved with international donations when he sponsored an African child 15 years ago. Integrity joined Chiropractors with Compassion 2006, when he was introduced to the donation programs by chiropractic friends in Canada. He was moved by the opportunity for positive change in the lives of children worldwide, he said.
"These people's lives have the opportunity to be transformed," Listiak said of the program's recipients.
So far, Chiropractors with Compassion has completed three different projects, the most recent of which raised $125,000 for street children in Nairobi, Kenya.
"It's exciting because a small amount of dollar from the U.S. can go a long way in another country," Listiak said.
For Listiak's clients, the program is a nice way to give to those less fortunate during the holiday season.
"I definitely think it's a great program, I have never been involved with a chiropractor that has a heart to reach out to other people in other culture like that," said Debbie Graff, of Fallbrook, a client of Integrity.
Bobbie Dupr?, an Integrity client, enjoys supporting African families through Integrity.
"I thought it was fascinating that he wasn't doing it by himself, but with an association of chiropractors," Dupr? said.
In addition to helping Compassion, Listiak sees the donation program as good way to introduce people to chiropractic care.
The Encinitas chiropractor, owner of Integrity Chiropractic, is dedicating his efforts to helping Chiropractors with Compassion, a division of Compassion International, which is an international nonprofit that provides relief and support in the form of clothing, shelter and education to children across the world.
This holiday season, Listiak challenged his clients to help raise money to fund the widows and orphans housing project, a program of Chiropractors with Compassion. The project, titled the widows and orphans housing project, endeavors to raise more than $250,000 to fund sustainable housing for widows and children in the Nyanza Province of Kenya.
Listiak's clients are asked to refer friends and neighbors to Integrity for a free initial examination; and for each new client appointment made before Jan. 14, $20 will be donated to Chiropractors with Compassion's program. Each complimentary new patient exam includes a consultation, exam, necessary X-rays, recommendations and two weeks of care.
Although Listiak hopes to see a jump in new clients and donations throughout the holiday season, he plans to donate $20 for each new client year-round.
"Why it's so important for me (is) because … other people are suffering and we know about it and we have to make a choice as to whether or not were going to respond to it," Listiak said.
The funding, although barely enough to afford an apartment in San Diego County, can pay for the construction of many homes in the Nyanza Province. In many homes in the area, families live in homes where doors and windows are broken and thatched roves have been ravaged by the wind. These new homes include a water tank and pit latrine, and serve the needs of the families in the area.
"(The new homes are) a complete thing and that will take care of one widow, but each widow takes care of 6-10 orphans," Listiak said.
Listiak got involved with international donations when he sponsored an African child 15 years ago. Integrity joined Chiropractors with Compassion 2006, when he was introduced to the donation programs by chiropractic friends in Canada. He was moved by the opportunity for positive change in the lives of children worldwide, he said.
"These people's lives have the opportunity to be transformed," Listiak said of the program's recipients.
So far, Chiropractors with Compassion has completed three different projects, the most recent of which raised $125,000 for street children in Nairobi, Kenya.
"It's exciting because a small amount of dollar from the U.S. can go a long way in another country," Listiak said.
For Listiak's clients, the program is a nice way to give to those less fortunate during the holiday season.
"I definitely think it's a great program, I have never been involved with a chiropractor that has a heart to reach out to other people in other culture like that," said Debbie Graff, of Fallbrook, a client of Integrity.
Bobbie Dupr?, an Integrity client, enjoys supporting African families through Integrity.
"I thought it was fascinating that he wasn't doing it by himself, but with an association of chiropractors," Dupr? said.
In addition to helping Compassion, Listiak sees the donation program as good way to introduce people to chiropractic care.