Tag Archives: child poverty

Shelley Callahan | December 30, 2024

I last visited New Orleans, Louisiana, in the summer of 2007. As I do now with my work with Children Incorporated, I worked with a nonprofit that supported children’s education. I visited local schools to provide free books to students living in low-income neighborhoods all over the city, and it was a rewarding and eye-opening experience.

As Renée, Kristen, and I prepared for our trip to New Orleans, I took some time to read letters from our volunteer coordinators in New Orleans from this past year that I wanted to share and reflect on before meeting them in person.

At the time, New Orleans was still recovering from the devastation of the 2005 hurricane and subsequent flooding caused by the breaking of the levees that occurred. As my co-worker and I made our way around town, we saw more closed schools than open ones and realized how much the devastation was really affecting children’s ability to get an education. When I started working with Children Incorporated 7 years later, I understood firsthand how our sponsorship program was greatly impacting students in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina thanks to my previous work there, and then had the opportunity to learn even more from our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube. According to Renée, our volunteer coordinators are incredibly supportive of our program, and find it invaluable to the success of their students daily. When I found out I would be returning to New Orleans in December 2024 to visit our affiliated sites with Renée and our Assistant Director of U.S. Programs, Kristen Walthall, I was delighted to know I would be able to hear more about how our sponsors are changing the lives of children in need directly from our volunteer coordinators.

As Renée, Kristen, and I prepared for our trip to New Orleans, I took some time to read letters from our volunteer coordinators in New Orleans from this past year that I wanted to share and reflect on before meeting them in person, as they express their deepest gratitude for all our program can do for children at their schools.

Langston Hughes ACADEMY

Over the past year, the Children Incorporated program has continued to support students and families in the Langston Hughes Academy. Funds from the program have been instrumental in meeting various needs, including food, clothing, school supplies, and technology, ensuring students have the necessary resources to succeed at school and in their communities!

One of the most memorable and impactful supports we received from Children Incorporated this year was providing bi-monthly fresh food deliveries to an LHA family. This initiative was supported by a Hope In Action grant. The family had recently migrated to the USA and struggled to find support for their basic needs. The students were experiencing health issues and not attending school regularly. Partnering with Children Incorporated to provide food deliveries significantly improved the students’ attendance, engagement, and health. The school translator noted the substantial positive difference this support has made, and the family was very appreciative of the delicious food they received. Funds were used to supply uniforms, outside-school clothing, and raincoats. We also purchased rain gear and umbrellas for students and families that walk to and from school, ensuring they are prepared for all weather conditions.

The Children Incorporated program at LHA has been highly appreciated by families, students, and school staff. The support provided has addressed needs that might otherwise have gone unmet, fostering a stronger connection between families and the school. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in improving students’ well-being, self-confidence, and academic performance. The Children Incorporated program remains a crucial support system for our school community.

We look forward to continuing our partnership to meet the needs of our students and their families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally. Thank you, Children Incorporated!

Sincerely,
Nicole

Samuel J. Green Charter School

Samuel J. Green Charter School has been privileged to partner with Children Incorporated. With generous support from Children Incorporated, I was able to purchase new computers and tablets for the Green graduating 8th graders. These devices are essential for their future academic journey, ensuring they are well-prepared for high school and beyond. Before graduation, several Children Incorporated students expressed concern over attending high school unprepared and without the needed supplies. I saw this as an opportunity to use Children Incorporated funds to help alleviate their worries. The students were so excited and proud when they received their last Children Incorporated bag from Theressa, who reported that it was an excellent way to end their time enrolled in the Children Incorporated program.

I also used Children Incorporated funding to purchase winter coats for all Children Incorporated students. These coats were immensely beneficial, as they kept the children warm and allowed them to attend school regularly without being hindered by New Orleans’s ever-changing weather. Parents reported being incredibly grateful for the coats, noting the significant relief this support has brought their families this year and in years past!

One family in the Green community faced a challenging situation with their power bill before the winter holidays in 2023. They were in danger of having their power shut off right before Thanksgiving. Thanks to the funds from Children Incorporated, we could cover their power bill and ensure that their home remained warm and safe. This assistance provided much-needed stability for the family, allowing the children to focus on enjoying their time off from school with their family in a warm home.

This support was crucial in providing the family with a safe and healthy living environment. The new beds and bedding have contributed to better sleep and overall well-being for the children and given them comfort and security during a time of immense change and uncertainty.

The funding from Children Incorporated has been instrumental in transforming the lives of our students and their families! Children Incorporated has allowed us to create a more supportive and conducive learning environment by addressing critical needs such as education and technology items, summer and winter clothing, utility bills, and other critical basic needs support. Our students perform better academically and are more enthusiastic about attending school when they have support from Children Incorporated!

Best wishes,
Theresa

Phillis Wheatley COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Phillis Wheatley Community School has greatly benefited from the support provided by Children Incorporated over the past school year! This report outlines the impact of the generous partnership, which helps support our students’ needs and remove barriers to their success at school and in their community.

“Our students perform better academically and are more enthusiastic about attending school when they have support from Children Incorporated!”

Children Incorporated funding allowed us to purchase school and summer shoes, winter clothing, rain gear, uniform pants, and polos for Children Incorporated students. Proper footwear and clothing helped ensure that all Children Incorporated students could attend school comfortably and confidently daily. Site Coordinators have also supplied high-quality hygiene products to many students and families. This initiative has dramatically improved our students’ personal hygiene and self-esteem, which positively impacts their overall well-being and classroom participation. Site coordinators can ensure Children Incorporated students have the hygiene supplies they need at home and school, thanks to Children Incorporated!

We also utilized the funding throughout the year to provide necessary school supplies. This consistent availability of supplies has been crucial in ensuring that students are always prepared for their classes as the school year progresses. Many students have supplies early in the year but need help replenishing items as they need replacing. Children Incorporated ensures students have access to what they need from the first to the last day of school!

One family was significantly impacted by the generosity of their son’s sponsor this year. Sponsor-donated funds allowed us to purchase furniture items for the family after they recently moved into a new home and the siblings got their own rooms for the first time. Thanks to the generosity of their sponsor, their rooms are now equipped with new dressers, toy chests, bedding, and a few toys, too.

The support from Children Incorporated has been pivotal in addressing the diverse needs of our students, from essential supplies and hygiene products to improved living conditions and community engagement. We are deeply grateful for the continued support from Children Incorporated and our community partners, and we look forward to furthering our mission to provide a supportive and enriching educational environment for all our students.

Thank you,
Odina

In the next few weeks, I will be sharing my stories from the schools we visited in New Orleans, which reflect the important work we are doing together to help some of the most vulnerable children in the Crescent City receive an education.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child in that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | December 22, 2024

As the holiday season often means sharing what we are grateful for, we would like to share letters of gratitude from our volunteer coordinators as part of our monthly Impact Report. Thank you, our loyal supporters, for everything you have done this holiday season and throughout 2024 to help children in need.

“I can’t tell you what a gift it is to see students and families’ lives transformed, and I cannot thank you enough for the difference they have made.”

Becky’s Letter

My school district is one where almost 70% of students are classified in the category of economically disadvantaged. So, from a resource position, things can feel a little overwhelming. This is where Children Incorporated comes in to alleviate some of the financial burdens for students who are enrolled in the program and help to eliminate the non-academic barriers that these students face.

To say that I am simply grateful for this program does not seem like adequate appreciation for the amazing things Children Incorporated does for those in need. The kindness and generosity of sponsors will forever be remembered by these students and myself.

Sincerely,
Becky
Johnson Central Youth Services Center, Kentucky

Denise’s Thank You

Flat Gap Elementary School is located in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and has seen firsthand how much it means to have the basic needs of elementary students and families met. I am genuinely thankful to Children Incorporated and the sponsors we have for our students. Because of the sponsors, we are able to provide students with basic needs so they can focus on their education, and we are able to form bonds with those families.

I also can’t thank the sponsors and donors enough for giving our students the opportunity through Hope In Action Funds. These funds have helped our school with several family literacy nights, family game nights, reading programs, and other literacy events. I can’t tell you what a gift it is to see students and families’ lives transformed, and I cannot thank you enough for the difference you have made.

Thank you,
Denise
Flat Gap Elementary School, Kentucky

Melania’s Note

On behalf of the Crossroads Elementary School Family Resource Center, I would like to thank you for allowing our students to participate in the Children Incorporated program. The students have benefited tremendously from the sponsorship program, which has allowed me to provide clothing, shoes, hygiene items, and school supplies to sponsored children throughout the school year. Witnessing the smiles on their faces when they receive what I have bought them is such a heartwarming experience. Not only are the enrolled students appreciative, but so are their guardians.

As the Children Incorporated volunteer coordinator, I feel that the program has brought me closer to the families in need. It allows me to talk to them more often and learn about the difficulties they face dealing with the everyday struggles of rising costs of necessities. Participating in the program enables them to open up with me, and through those conversations, I can tell they are forever grateful for the sponsors.

Sincerely,
Melania
Crossroads Elementary School, Kentucky

your impact through hope in action

Sponsorship is one of many ways you help impoverished children every month. Additionally, thanks to contributions to our Hope In Action Fund in the last month, we have been able to:

– Provide funds to purchase warm clothing for students at Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary in Virginia
– Provide funds to purchase emergency supplies for a student at Kimper Elementary School in Kentucky whose family had a house fire
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 30 students at the Dandora Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase daily meals for 100 students at the St. John’s Community Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students at Kids’ Hope in Ethiopia for one month
– Provide funding to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students for one month at the Fortune Children’s Center in the Philippines
– Provide funds to help the family of a student at Johns Creek Elementary School after a house fire
– Provide funds to purchase meals for 30 students at Santa Isabel Ana Seton in Guatemala for a month
– Provide funds to provide disaster and emergency relief to the family of a student at Hindman Elementary School in Kentucky after a house fire

…and so much more! Thank you to our supporters for all that you do! We couldn’t do our life-changing work without you.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | December 22, 2024En Español

As Luis Bourdet finishes his visits to our affiliated sites in India, he travels to Bangalore to the Parikrma Home. Here, standard educational practices are combined with Montessori school practices, and the overall success rate of students is incredibly high.

Visiting Parikrma

“I arrived in Bangalore, a city full of trees and gardens, and perhaps the city with the most order when driving that I had been to in India on this trip. Driving is truly chaotic and challenging in India for those who have not traveled there. Most people walk on the streets, and thousands of bikes and mopeds move without any order. Even animals are common on most boulevards and streets within the city limits,” said Luis.

“The school has a very efficient format for learning and a success rate of graduation above 95%, which is much better than the national average of 8-24%.”

“Our affiliated site, the Parikrma Foundation, operates in this city. They have four schools (Kindergarten-12th grade) within slum areas of the town and a Junior College (a school preparing students for skill training programs and professional university careers). The system of education they utilize in those schools is very distinct, unique, and compelling. It combines Montessori and the typical Indian public school system curriculum. The school has a very efficient format for learning and a success rate of graduation above 95%, which is much better than the national average of 8-24%. Most students come from slum areas and, therefore, are migrants from different states, for which the Foundation implemented all English education. This favors their students, as most higher education is done in English.”

Remarkable Schools for Children in Need

“The system was introduced to some public schools in the area after great success with the support of the local government. The children I met were very confident and well-educated. Although they keep some common Indian customs, primarily due to space, of sitting children on the floors during the early years of school, older children have desks.”

“The school has modern equipment in labs, video communication for class interactions, and classes taught for mental, physical, emotional, and psychological development. They also teach the children to support the community through opportunities like cleaning the little lake in the neighborhood, protecting street dogs, supporting issues at slums, and assisting other people in need,” said Luis.

Our sponsorS helping

“These schools are truly remarkable. Children in India do not usually interact with adults, but not at Parikrma. During my visit, children were assigned to take me through the facilities and coordinate presentations. I learned during my time that families could not afford to take the children to school daily, or they may live too far from the school, so they solicit that their child live in the hostel, and our sponsors really help with the children having their basic needs met at the hostel.”

“The sponsor support ensures that children boarding at the hostel have food, hygiene items, school supplies, and sufficient bedding. The children appreciate this opportunity because they live under challenging circumstances with their own family and in a slum area, where housing is under standards and very poor,” said Luis.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Ron Carter | December 15, 2024

Dear Friends,

I turned 66 years old on December 2, 2024, and quite frankly, while I do not feel all that old, I have to admit I have many years behind me. My hope and prayer is that I have accomplished good things in my lifetime and that I have somehow positively impacted the lives of those who have walked life’s journey alongside me.

Help us honor our founder, Jeanne Clarke Wood, and her legacy. We, in exchange, will work diligently to improve as many children’s lives as we possibly can.,

Children Incorporated also has a lot of years behind it; sixty, in fact. The organization was founded in 1964, when I was just six years old, by an incredible woman, Jeanne Clarke Wood, whom I was blessed to meet and know many years later. Following Mrs. Wood’s vision for the past sixty years, Children Incorporated has been changing and improving the lives of children and families all around the world.

For sixty years, Children Incorporated has provided food, clothing, educational assistance, and a host of other resources to those who otherwise would have struggled or gone without. For sixty years, our loyal donors and sponsors have entrusted us with their generous contributions, allowing us to use those funds to provide backpacks filled with food to hungry children on weekends and during breaks from school, buy new shoes and school clothes for youngsters whose parents have been unable to afford them, and to construct housing projects, childcare centers, and dormitories in remote parts of the world.

For sixty years, we have strived to be open, honest, and transparent in how we do business. Our efforts have paid off with exceptional ratings from Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar, and other nonprofit monitoring groups. For sixty years, we have honored Mrs. Wood by continuing the good work she started and so valued, and we have, indeed, been offering education, hope, and opportunity to thousands upon thousands of children and their families.

As 2024 comes to a close and Children Incorporated begins its sixty-first year of accomplishing good things and making positive impacts on innumerable children and families, we ask that you consider making a year-end contribution to our 60th Anniversary Fund. Help us honor our founder, Jeanne Clarke Wood, and her legacy. In exchange, we will work diligently to improve as many children’s lives as we can.

From the heart,
Ronald H. Carter

DONATE TODAY

Shelley Callahan | December 14, 2024

As our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, continues his visits to our affiliated sites in India, he travels to the state of Andhra Pradesh to meet with our volunteer coordinator and students at the Auxilium School. The Auxilium School recently absorbed another nearby school and continues to be known for its outstanding educational program, which many children benefit from solely thanks to our sponsors.

Arriving in Guntur

“Upon leaving Dornakal, it took us about 4-5 hours of driving to reach the city of Guntur. The large state of Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two new states: Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh, and the largest city in the original state was Hyderabad. Traditionally, Andhra Pradesh area was more the coastal area, so the state of Andhra Pradesh was assigned to the area of the original state near the coast, and the central area, where Hyderabad, the original capital city, was located, stayed as the State of Telangana. This was a problem for everyone, as most private and public investments had been made for many years in Hyderabad,” said Luis.

“This school provides a very sound education to children from kindergarten to high school. The children receive core classes according to the state’s required curriculum, and the demands for a good education exist.”

“The state has only smaller cities with poor urban infrastructure in the coastal area. To satisfy these concerns, the Indian government worked to create a new capital city for the state of Andhra Pradesh. With the help of local municipal governments, new investments, and the World Bank, they secured a new area for the capital city.”

“Guntur was a small city with poor urban designs and a conglomeration of about 400,000 people in a small area. The new developments started in the city’s outskirts, and more and more companies came to build homes here, and housing construction in the thousands started. The town had a pause during the pandemic, but housing construction and some urban development have been reestablished,” explained Luis.

“The city of Guntur is now bursting with heavy traffic, an affluence of people from all over the state, and chaos. Here, the Catholic Diocese of Gunter and Children Incorporated supports some of the poorest of the poor children. They are children, mostly day workers who previously worked in the fields outside the city, are now absorbed by urban development, and mainly work in services without permanent jobs.”

Meeting with our coordinator

“The Gunter Diocese was supporting hostels in parishes outside the city limits, but one is now swallowed by the city expansion. The diocese sees the need to support the affluence of poor people coming into the city in search of jobs that are not usually available because this is a city in transition. There are no permanent jobs to be had,” said Luis.

“Children Incorporated was supporting two programs here, a private school run by the Catholic Church, the Auxilium School, and a hostel, Stambalagaruvu Hostel, also run by the Catholic Church and supporting children of some of those families that got re-located due to the new development of the city. During our visit, we had many questions about our program, I met with our volunteer coordinator, Mr. Fr. Y. Marreddy. Fr. Marreddy took me to his office and indicated that he oversees Social Programs within the Diocese, including children’s support programs.”

Two schools becoming one

“I learned that the Diocese relied on the local government’s support to upkeep the hostels and that support was suspended recently. For this reason, the priest in charge of the Stambalagaruvu Hostel could no longer sustain the facility. Fr. Marreddy decided to absorb the Stambalagaruvu children into the Auxilium School. Since most live near the facility (Stambalagaruvu hostel is next door to the Auxilium School), he asked the school administrators if they could accept the children and cover the school fees with the sponsorship support funding. The sisters in charge accepted, and since last year, we have had the boys from Stambalagaruvu hostel attend Auxilium School,” explained Luis.

“All parents of the children in our program are very proud of making any sacrifices to make sure their children, even coming from a very humble environment, can attend the school and be proud of the education they are receiving.”

“The Auxilium School is a private school run by the Salesian Sisters, now the Director of the Community, and in charge of the Children Incorporated program there is Sister Bridget Jacob; of course, this is in coordination with Fr. Marreddy. This school provides a very sound education to children from kindergarten to high school. The children receive core classes according to the state’s required curriculum, and the demands for a good education exist. The facilities are ample and in good shape. Professional capacity is provided to all personnel, and the school has an excellent reputation.”

“For this reason, all parents of the children in our program are very proud of making any sacrifices to make sure their children, even coming from a very humble environment, can attend the school and be proud of the education they are receiving,” said Luis.

“The Children Incorporated sponsorship funding is utilized entirely in education. This is for both groups, the original Auxilium School children and the Stambalagaruvu children. An effort to provide all educational materials at the beginning of the year, including backpacks and shoes, is also made. The children are doing great, and all have improved their education.”

“Before my visit ended, I met the children and asked questions about the changes and the school. They all seemed very happy about it, as they see it as an improvement,” said Luis.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | December 11, 2024

Founded in 1964, Children Incorporated is an international nonprofit organization that assists impoverished children in the U.S. and abroad. Working with already-established schools, orphanages, and childcare centers, we facilitate child sponsorships, manage special projects, and maintain special funds for emergency needs that arise for the children we serve.

Children Incorporated provides resources for children in need in the United States and abroad because we passionately believe that children everywhere deserve education, hope, and opportunity.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Our administrative office is located just outside Richmond, Virginia, in North Chesterfield. We work with 225 affiliated sites in 8 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 19 foreign countries.

HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU SERVE?

Roughly 10,000 children are enrolled in our sponsorship program each year, and Children Incorporated has assisted more than 300,000 children since our founding in 1964. Moreover, thousands of additional children receive aid each year as a result of contributions from our donors.

DO YOU HAVE A RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION?

No. Children Incorporated is an independent charity with no religious or political agenda. Our goal is to assist as many impoverished children as possible, and we respect each child’s religious and cultural heritage.

That being said, the affiliated sites with which we partner are existing NGOs, and, in some countries, these include childcare facilities that are managed by religious organizations. For example, we support children who live at the Puente Piedra Girl’s Home, an orphanage in Peru that is run by Catholic nuns.

HOW MANY STAFF MEMBERS DO YOU EMPLOY?

Children Incorporated employs fourteen paid staff members at our administrative office in North Chesterfield, Virginia. Additionally, more than 225 volunteers manage our affiliated sites around the world, administering our services to children in their care.

WHAT SORTS OF GIVING OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU OFFER?

Children Incorporated provides for the needs of impoverished children through two primary approaches: child sponsorship and special funds and projects.

Sponsorship provides an underprivileged child with basic and education-related necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, school supplies, and tuition payments. This vital support allows impoverished, vulnerable children to develop to their full potential – physically, emotionally, and socially. Sponsors positively impact the lives of the children they sponsor through the simple knowledge that someone cares about their well-being. This gives children in need hope, which is powerful.

Our policy is to consider the needs of each sponsored child on an individual basis. In contrast to other child sponsorship organizations, our volunteer coordinators personally shop for the children enrolled in their respective schools, orphanages, homes, and community centers on a regular basis, as they are familiar with each individual child’s circumstances and needs.

Roughly 10,000 children are enrolled in our sponsorship program each year, and Children Incorporated has assisted more than 300,000 children since our founding in 1964.

Donations to our funds and special projects support feeding programs, income-generating projects, health and education assistance programs, as well as critical projects like school expansions, medical clinic repairs, housing improvements, and more. 90% of all such donations are used to meet the needs of the children, families, and site locations that we serve. Just 10% is maintained internally for project implementation and oversight.

WHY DO YOU RELY ON VOLUNTEERS TO IMPLEMENT YOUR PROGRAMS?

First, because all of our volunteers are teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, school principals, or other childcare professionals, we have found that they are in the best position to meet the unique needs of each child. They interact with the children enrolled in our sponsorship program on a daily basis, and they observe firsthand the circumstances of each child’s life.

Second, working with volunteers allows us to keep our programs highly efficient. We benefit because we employ only a small number of paid staff members. This allows us to devote a higher percentage of our funds directly to the children enrolled in our program. Meanwhile, our volunteers benefit because our program helps them to improve the lives of the children in their care.

HOW DO YOU CONFIRM THAT YOUR VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPLEMENTING YOUR SERVICES CORRECTLY?

Each volunteer must submit reports verifying that he or she has appropriately managed the Children Incorporated funds. All affiliated site reports are carefully audited at our Richmond, Virginia office. Additionally, our staff routinely visits our affiliated sites to ensure that every volunteer is correctly implementing our program.

Our coordinators volunteer with Children Incorporated because we help them to help their children. Our volunteers take great pains to uphold the integrity of our programs, and we are very grateful to them for all that they do.

MAY I VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN INCORPORATED?

Our only regular volunteers are the on-site program volunteers who manage our affiliated sites around the world, yet we do accept volunteers to translate letters at our Virginia headquarters. Please call our office at (800) 538-5381 or email us at hello@childrenincorporated.org for more information.

About Sponsorship

WHAT IS SPONSORSHIP, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The sponsorship relationship enables a donor to support a child by means of monthly contributions and, if the donor so desires, through the exchange of correspondence. A sponsor’s friendship and encouragement are priceless to a child in such circumstances. Indeed, many children value the relationships they establish with their sponsors as much as they value the financial help they receive. Our current monthly sponsorship rate is $35, and it goes toward providing basic necessities, such as school supplies and fees, food, clothing, and access to healthcare, among other services.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT MY SPONSORED CHILD?

It is possible to visit sponsored children; however, since we work with a network of volunteers and sites, and circumstances vary from area to area, we cannot guarantee that all affiliated sites are open to sponsor visits. If you are interested in visiting a sponsored child, please contact us for specifics relating to the child and the location.

If your child’s affiliated site does allow visits, we ask that you contact us at least 45 days prior to your planned visit. One of our sponsorship managers will assist you in making arrangements with the affiliated site, parents, and site volunteers. Children Incorporated has forms to request the visit and a child protection policy that we ask sponsors to follow. This includes a background check at the sponsor’s expense.

HOW LONG CAN I SPONSOR A PARTICULAR CHILD?

We hope that you will assist your sponsored child until he or she leaves our program. This typically occurs when a child graduates from high school or moves out of our service area. Due to the transient state of many families and the trying circumstances of the regions where they reside, we cannot predict or guarantee how long a child will remain enrolled in the Children Incorporated sponsorship program, although we make every effort to provide services to children for as long as possible.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY SPONSORSHIP?

Sponsorship is not a binding agreement, and you may cancel your child sponsorship at any time. We recognize that circumstances change, and you may be unable to continue your regular contributions. We simply ask that you notify us of your decision so that we may find a new sponsor for the child you sponsor. If you would like to continue supporting Children Incorporated, there are many ways you can help that do not require a monthly contribution. Please see “Other ways to give” for more details.

WILL I RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes. We will send you updated information and an updated photo about once a year, although the frequency may vary depending on the child’s location. The typical progress report includes information on the child’s grade level in school, hobbies, and interests.

HOW DO I PAY FOR MONTHLY SPONSORSHIP?

Sponsorship contributions may be made by check, money order, credit/debit card, or ACH transfer (debit from a checking or savings account). Please call us or visit our website if you would like to set up automatic recurring contributions on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or yearly basis.

MAY I SEND PACKAGES TO THE U.S. CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes! Sending a gift can be a great way to give your sponsored child extra help at certain times of the year or to simply let the child know you are thinking of him or her. Here are some suggested guidelines: Please send monetary gifts directly to our North Chesterfield, Virginia office, as our site coordinators are not able to process checks or cash. Packages of already-purchased items should be mailed directly to your sponsored child’s site address. We recommend using a tracking service, if possible, when shipping a package to the child you sponsor.

MAY I SEND PACKAGES TO THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD I SPONSOR?

Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, we do not recommend sending packages to our sites outside of the U.S. Children Incorporated cannot guarantee receipt of any packages you send internationally.

MAY I WRITE TO THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes! Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a wonderful experience. Our site volunteers will translate your letter, if necessary, and deliver it to your sponsored child. You will find the affiliated site’s mailing address in your child’s information brochure.

Children Incorporated provides resources for children in need in the United States and abroad because we passionately believe that children everywhere deserve education, hope, and opportunity.

WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT?

The children enjoy learning about the lives of their sponsors. Writing about your own family (children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc.) is always a good place to start. The children also like to learn about your part of the world, what you do for a living, your hobbies and interests, and any pets you may have.

WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Please call us at 1-800-538-5381 or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org. Depending on the nature of a child-specific question, we may need to contact our volunteer coordinator at your sponsored child’s affiliated project. We will get the requested information to you as soon as possible, as long as it does not violate the child protection and privacy laws to which we adhere.

MAY I SEND ADDITIONAL GIFTS FOR MY SPONSORED CHILD (FOR BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, BEGINNING/END OF SCHOOL YEAR NEEDS, ETC.)?

Yes. Contributions beyond regular monthly sponsorship amounts are always welcome, and there are no minimum or maximum amount restrictions.

With these additional gifts, the needs of the child you sponsor will be addressed first and foremost, and any remaining funds may be shared among other children in need at the same affiliated site at the volunteer coordinator’s discretion. Children Incorporated will designate 10% of your additional contribution to cover our administrative and processing costs; this means your sponsored child and possibly other children at the same affiliated site will benefit from 90% of the total you send as an additional monetary gift.

ARE THERE DEADLINES FOR SENDING ADDITIONAL MONETARY GIFTS FOR THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes. It takes time to process a gift and send it to the child you sponsor, particularly if your child lives in a foreign country. To send additional monetary gifts to your sponsored child, please ensure the gift arrives in our Richmond, Virginia office at least sixty days before the date you would like it to be received by the child.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CHILD I SPONSOR LEAVES THE PROGRAM?

When a child leaves our program for any reason, our policy is to promptly notify you by mail and provide you with information on another child who is equally in need of your support and encouragement in the hopes that you will accept him or her as your new sponsored child. If, in the event that your sponsored child leaves the program, you would like for us to contact you before sending information on another child, please let us know by telephone or email.

Unfortunately, we usually lose contact with children once they leave our sponsorship program. Rest assured: the positive impact of your generosity on each child, as well as on his or her community, endures for a lifetime!

Your Contributions

DOES MY GIFT QUALIFY FOR A TAX DEDUCTION?

Children Incorporated has been a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization since 1964. Contributions, therefore, may be eligible for tax-deductibility status. We strongly recommend that you consult with your tax advisor when making such determinations.

WHAT TYPE OF CONTRIBUTIONS DOES CHILDREN INCORPORATED ACCEPT?

We accept various different types of donations that all support children in need and/or help us operate our organization to its fullest capacity. Donations to one of our many special funds go to supporting community needs, covering operational expenses for Children Incorporated, and helping families in times of crisis. You can read more about these funds and how they are changing the lives of those in need by visiting our donation portal on our website.

When you make a contribution to your sponsored child, those funds are designated for the child specifically. Additionally, you can make a contribution to that child above the $35 a month for general needs, birthdays, and holidays. Children Incorporated welcomes your generous contributions for the benefit of your sponsored child/children, which will be disbursed with regular monthly subsidies to the child/children’s site. To enable our affiliated site volunteers to have even more purchasing power for the needs of the child, any contributions made in the amount of $5 or below will be accumulated over several months and forwarded twice a year.

I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE CHILDREN INCORPORATED IN MY ESTATE PLANS. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS?

There are many options, including bequests, IRA/401(k) designations, annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. For more information, please contact us at 1-800-538-5381. We will work with you to create a plan that best meets your needs.

***

HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD WITH CHILDREN INCORPORATED?

SPONSOR A CHILD