On June 13th, 2005, GC professors James Zahniser, assistant professor of Psychology, and Richard Huston, associate professor of History, met with the President and First Lady of Paraguay, Nicanor Duarte Frutos and Gloria Penayo de Duarte. Jim Zahniser arrived in Paraguay interested in establishing connections with local mental health professionals to learn what they were doing to promote community mental health, and to contribute from his experience and training. Missionary psychologist Dr. Herbert Palomino, friend of Richard Huston and father of GC sophomore Katherine Palomino, is a personal friend of the first family and knew about the First Lady's interest in improving mental health services in her country, particularly in rural areas. In addition to facilitating a visit to the neuropsychiatric hospital in Asuncion, Dr. Palomino arranged a meeting with the First Lady. President Duarte Frutos also attended the meeting.

Professor Zahniser outlined his interests in helping mental health patients to transition successfully from the hospital back into the community, and in developing effective community-based mental health programs. The First Lady expressed keen interest and suggested initiating a pilot project that would demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of community mental health services for people with mental illnesses. The pilot project will be carried out in one or two locations where her foundation recently has established community centers, including one in her home town of Coronel Oviedo.