In October 2004, J.C. Flowers Foundation founder Chris Flowers visited several remote areas of northern Zambia and experienced first hand the devastation wrought by malaria. On a visit to the Anglican Mission in Fiwila, he found a small village typical of much of rural sub-Saharan Africa. It was eighteen kilometers off the tarmac road and took eight hours to reach by Jeep from the nearest town. A family was mourning the death of a young child who had just died from malaria, yet did not realize the relationship between malaria and mosquitoes. Nor did they have any knowledge about malaria prevention, access to treatment or insecticide treated bed nets.
Chris Flowers understood that there was great need for education and knowledge about malaria in these remote areas. He also realized that local community organizations like the Anglican Church — which has an extensive presence in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and often is the only organizing institution in small villages — could play an important role in delivering these programs.
The visit catalyzed Chris Flowers' efforts in malaria. In 2004, he launched NetsforLife, in partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development, and established the J.C. Flowers Foundation with a specific mission to invest in last mile communities in partnership with other organizations.
Several years later, Chris Flowers identified a similar need in New York City, last mile communities where a lack of education and a need for resources for behavior change contributed to the fact that 42 percent of people on parole return to prison within three years. Chris Flowers saw an opportunity to work with a community where few donors wanted to work but where impact could be high. This led to the establishment of the Harlem reentry Initiative in 2010, which partners with faith based communities to support people returning to their communities.
Chris Flowers understood that there was great need for education and knowledge about malaria in these remote areas. He also realized that local community organizations like the Anglican Church — which has an extensive presence in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and often is the only organizing institution in small villages — could play an important role in delivering these programs.
The visit catalyzed Chris Flowers' efforts in malaria. In 2004, he launched NetsforLife, in partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development, and established the J.C. Flowers Foundation with a specific mission to invest in last mile communities in partnership with other organizations.
Several years later, Chris Flowers identified a similar need in New York City, last mile communities where a lack of education and a need for resources for behavior change contributed to the fact that 42 percent of people on parole return to prison within three years. Chris Flowers saw an opportunity to work with a community where few donors wanted to work but where impact could be high. This led to the establishment of the Harlem reentry Initiative in 2010, which partners with faith based communities to support people returning to their communities.