Alum President of Two Non-Profit Agencies

Arval (Hal) Morris, M.A. Psychology ’06, lives in Brazil and is the president of two non-profit agencies:

1) The Brazilian Children’s Charity is a U.S. non-profit 503(c)(3) where U.S. citizens and corporations may donate money to the B.C.C. and have the donation deducted off of their U.S. taxes. This non-profit is based in Seattle, Washington and is located on the web at: www.bccharity.org

2) The Brasileira Crianças Caridade is a Brazil non-profit where Brazilian citizens, corporations and permanent residents of Brazil may donate money and have the donation deducted off of their Brazilian taxes. This non-profit is based out of Rio de Janeiro Brazil and is located on the web (in Portuguese) at: www.bccaridade.org

These are two completely separate organizations (they are not sister organizations) with two different Board of Directors but with the same goal in mind - to provide safe mental health services to homeless children and low-income families free-of-charge in Rio de Janeiro.

Meetings for the Brasileira Crianças Caridade are held in Portuguese and Hal is the only U.S. citizen on the Board, whereas meetings with the Brazilian Children’s Charity are held in English and there is one Brazilian and one German on the Board.

Hal began work on the Brazilian Children’s Charity in 2006. The Brasileira Crianças Caridade was just officially recognized by the Brazilian government in October, 2009. It took over one year to form the Brasileira Crianças Caridade. Much like the U.S. government (I.R.S.) controls the Brazilian Children’s Charity’s non-profit status, the Brazilian government (Ministerio de Fazendo) controls the Brasileira Crianças Caridade’s non-profit status.

Once again, two separate organizations with one goal: assisting a largely forgotten population with safe and free mental health services. Hal’s main objectives are to introduce C.C.F.T. and M.H.C. techniques to between two and 10 Brazilian psychology students in Rio de Janeiro and hope that they will become part of the solution to the social problem of poverty within Brazilian culture. The expectation is that these students will continue to assist pro-bono after graduation.

Much like the saying: “Give a person a fish, feed them for a day,” Hal likes to say “teach a person to fish, feed them every day.” The BCC is attempting to create a more permanent solution for the mental health needs of these children. In the future, he hopes to expand in size and to other cities in Brazil.

“Also in the near future we hope to invite guest lecturers so that a AAMFT licensed therapist may travel to Brazil and receive continuing education units while melding with the minds of local Brazilian therapists.

“On the micro level, the BCC will assist with the mental health concerns of a population that is generally forgotten. On the macro level, the BCC may strengthen professional ties in the filed of psychology between the U.S. and Brazil.

“We are always accepting donations. Remember, all donations are deductible from United States taxes as applicable under U.S. law for donations to U.S. non-profit organizations with 503(c)(3) status.

Hal also will be presenting on behalf of the BCC at the XVIII World Family Therapy Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 17-20, 2010. ”This is an amazing professional honor and will create more exposure and legitimacy for our cause! I am both proud and happy at this recognition!” In April he hopes to co-write and have published a paper on his speech. He will be presenting with Dr. Bill Forisha, former Antioch University Seattle Psychology professor and the organizer, and two other therapists, Dr. Flor Vilvel (Psychologist) from Arequipa, Peru and another person that is a friend of Dr. Forisha. “Our one hour workshop is titled, Training in Systemic Intervention for Underserved Populations in India, Brazil and Peru. The focus is on systemic therapy.”