* Note: This blog was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much has changed regarding our sponsored children’s learning experience in the past months, our On the Road stories remain relevant in regards to our volunteer coordinator’s work and the impact of sponsorship on children in our program thanks to our sponsors. We are pleased to continue to share stories with you about our work.
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Martha Jane Potter Elementary School is located in Kona, Kentucky and has been a Children Incorporated affiliated project since 2005 — our first partnership in Letcher County.
“Our volunteer coordinator at Martha Jane Potter is Teresa, who has been our coordinator since we began working together over 15 years ago,” explained our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube.
Teresa is a hardworking coordinator who greatly appreciates our sponsorship program.
“Through the years, Teresa has developed long and stable relationships with the families in her community, and they trust her a great deal.”
A program that can provide
According to Renée, Teresa works hard to connect with partners to bring resources to students in need at her school. And although she does have luck finding small businesses, individuals, and churches to help in her efforts, one of her biggest issues is that often the support is temporary or is a one-time gift.
Several years ago, Teresa was contacted by a mega-church in Georgia. They provided her with 500 backpacks, which she shared with the other coordinators at our affiliated schools in Letcher County — yet they ran out before they were able to provide for all the children in need, which disappointed Teresa and the children.
“When I met with Teresa at Martha Jane Potter, she told me that the Children Incorporated program is her favorite program because it provides consistent monthly support so that she can budget and plan,” said Renée.
“I mentioned to Teresa that applying for funding from our Back to School Fund might interest her so she could buy more backpacks and give one to every child that needed one for the upcoming school year. That way, she won’t have to worry about some kids not getting school supplies.”
“When Natalie receives cards from her sponsor, she gets very excited. Her sponsors provide financial assistance and emotional support for Natalie, and she loves having them in her life,” exclaimed Renée.
The value of great partners
Even though some of her partners aren’t able to provide the same consistent support that Children Incorporated can, Teresa doesn’t value their help any less. She expressed to Renée how especially proud she was of a particular partnership with an organization that brings dental care to underserved neighborhoods in Kona.
The dentists also come to school via a mobile van to do exams, x-rays, fillings, and simple extractions.
After their meeting, Teresa introduced Renée to one of our sponsored children, Natalie.* Natalie is sponsored by a couple who has been part of our organization since 1970. She has two brothers, and they are all being raised by their grandparents. Natalie’s grandmother is retired, and her grandfather has cancer and is unable to work.
“When Natalie receives cards from her sponsor, she gets very excited. Her sponsors provide financial assistance and emotional support for Natalie, and she loves having them in her life,” exclaimed Renée.
*Name changed to protect the child.
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How do I sponsor a child in Kentucky?
You can sponsor a child in Kentucky in one of two ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org.