Six months after the program's inception, over forty volunteers had signed up to help. Of course, difficulties persist. The Warsaw press initially reported the establishment of Friends with great skepticism. Critics also asked how such an endeavor could be considered significant given the scale of the Polish health system's problems. Four elements recommend corporate voluntarism to nations engaged in economic reform.
Corporations gain by demonstrating their commitment to the community.
Building their credentials as good corporate citizens strengthens their image in the marketplace and contributes to commercial success. The community wins because voluntarism applies new expertise and resources to its needs. The government wins because voluntarism supplements limited public resources. Indeed, independent private institutions are vital to ensuring the strength of democratic processes through times of political change and economic upheaval. Around the world, governments and communities are concerned about the sustainability of programs designed to aid the vulnerable.