Northridge, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/04/2011 -- The ALO Cultural Foundation, which supports mentoring programs, cross-cultural awareness and medical relief in special circumstances in the Middle East and the United States, is proud to announce an extension of the Forever Wish initiative in collaboration with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, a leading provider of hearing missions worldwide.

The organizations have been working together to increase the number of hearing missions to the Middle East, enabling even greater collaboration between the two foundations. The ALO Cultural Foundation, one of the most progressive grassroots, cross-cultural awareness charities in the United States, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, who delivers more than 50,000 hearing aids annually through more than 100 hearing missions a year in countries stretching from the U.S. to Vietnam, have been collaborating since 2009 to provide the gift of hearing.

As part of the continued efforts to reach out to underserved, global communities, the two foundations met during the ALO Cultural Foundation’s mission to help Hussein Balhas. ALO founder Wafa Kanan arranged a special medical mission for Hussein from Lebanon to the United States. During the mission—possible in part through the generosity of several participating physicians and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s International Children's Surgery Fund—it was discovered that Hussein’s hearing aids could not handle his need for custom 50-gain receivers. In stepped Dennis van Vleet, Starkey’s Western Region Director. He heard the pleas of Kanan to help with Hussein’s Forever Wish. It was an ideal match for the two organizations.

Since then, the Foundation has assumed the responsibility of providing for Hussein’s education, making it possible for him to eventually attend university and beyond. Starkey’s Business Sales Manager Giscard Bechara checks in with Hussein regularly, reporting that Hussein has adapted very well with his new RIC devices. Embracing ALO’s mission to educate, empower and enlighten those in need, the organizations are exploring ways to expand their collaboration with the goal of donating up to 1,000 hearing aids in the next 12 months.

“As the partnership with the Starkey Foundation continues to grow, the underprivileged, hearing-impaired children of the Middle East will have access to a more promising future through our Forever Wish program,” says Kanan. “We are committed to delivering quality education, increased technical skills and emotional empowerment to physically challenged children - despite the deterrents of poverty, illiteracy and neglect. This partnership will enable both organizations to increasingly share capabilities – Starkey with hearing aids and ALO with developing human potential.”

“Auditory perception is essential to language development and proficiency; people with hearing deficits are at a disadvantage and face enormous obstacles in life. Removing these barriers makes it possible for individuals to realize their potential and become productive members of their respective societies. From the moment his life began, Hussein confronted a multitude of complex challenges, but due to the collaboration of many individuals, his undaunted, beautiful spirit remains valiant. ALO is very proud to be a part of his victorious effort.”

Backed by a decade of philanthropic work, the ALO Cultural Foundation was founded to build stronger, healthier communities through social investment. The Foundation focuses on community outreach, education and empowerment programs for oppressed, middle-eastern women, youth mentoring in the U.S. and other forms of assistance to disadvantaged communities worldwide. Through its various initiatives, such as its support of orphanages in Egypt and other countries, ALO aims to promote cultural understanding and to advocate for social change. The Foundation provides myriad educational opportunities that empower those with a thirst for life, the chance for a lifetime of learning and personal fulfillment.