Tag Archives: child poverty

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

written by Ron Carter

Ron Carter is President and CEO of Children Incorporated. He is responsible for overseeing all operations of Children Incorporated, with a specific goal of honoring the original vision and mission of our founder, Jeanne Clarke Wood, who established the organization in 1964.

» more of Ron's stories

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?

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

written by Shelley Callahan

Shelley is the Director of Development for Children Incorporated. She is also the lead social correspondent, regularly contributing insights through the Stories of Hope blog series. Sign up for Stories of Hope to receive weekly email updates about how your donations are changing the lives of children in need.

» more of Shelley's stories

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?

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 that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

written by Children Incorporated

We provide children living in poverty with education, hope and opportunity so they have the chance for a brighter future. Thanks to past and current supporters around the globe, we work with 225 affiliated sites in 20 countries to offer basic needs, emergency relief, and community support to thousands of children and their families each year.

» more of Children's stories

When choosing a child sponsorship organization to support, certain criteria are important in determining which organization is right for you. We want to provide a quick reference guide to choosing a charity that is reputable so that you can know that your donations are doing the most good to help a child or children in need.

Evaluating the Charity’s Mission and Values

Ensure the organization’s mission aligns with your values and goals for giving. Children Incorporated provides life-changing resources to children around the world because we passionately believe that every child deserves education, hope, and opportunity.

Children Incorporated provides life-changing resources to children around the world because we passionately believe that every child deserves education, hope, and opportunity.

Children Incorporated is an independent charity. We have 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.

Researching Charity Reputation

Look for reviews, ratings, and testimonials, and use resources like Charity Navigator or GuideStar. You can find out charity ratings below:

GUIDESTAR
CHARITY NAVIGATOR

Children Incorporated frequently shares testimonials from our coordinators and sponsors as well, such as:

“There are many fine agencies to choose from, but my personal favorite is Children Incorporated… The experience has brought tremendous joy and satisfaction to my entire family.”

DR. RICHARD CARLSON – THE LATE AUTHOR,
EXCERPT FROM “DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF”

“The personal attention to the children and programs is exceptional and rare, but what is really unique about Children Incorporated is that they know who they are. They have a vision for their best, most productive self – one that retains their uniqueness and effectiveness – and they are acting on realizing that vision. You can trust them. You will know you are truly helping real children in real-time, and you will know how every penny you give is spent. I know this from thirty years of experience with Children Incorporated.”

ROSANNE CASH, GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST

Financial Transparency and Accountability

We believe in full transparency of our financial management, which protects the trust you place in us as stewards of your generosity. Please contact us if you have any questions about these documents or seek any additional information about our accountability or your contributions. Your generous donations to Children Incorporated are tax deductible and offer tax benefits.

Understanding Program Reach and Impact

Consider the charity’s history, scope of programs, and measurable impact on communities.

In 1964, after personally witnessing the deprivation of children in Guatemala, our founder, Jeanne Clarke Wood, established Children Incorporated out of her home in Richmond, Virginia, by writing letters to seek assistance for the 95 children she met on her travels. The support her friends and family provided for these children formed the first Children Incorporated project.

Thanks to our supporters around the globe, we currently serve over 20,000 children annually. To date, over 300,000 children have been provided opportunities for growth and education and have experienced the support and encouragement our program provides.

Checking for Tax-Exempt Status

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.

***

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

written by Children Incorporated

We provide children living in poverty with education, hope and opportunity so they have the chance for a brighter future. Thanks to past and current supporters around the globe, we work with 225 affiliated sites in 20 countries to offer basic needs, emergency relief, and community support to thousands of children and their families each year.

» more of Children's stories

Cowan Elementary School, located off State Highway 931 in the Dongola community, just south of Whitesburg, Kentucky, serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade. It’s worth noting that Dongola, the school’s physical address, lost its post office, so the school’s mailing address is now Whitesburg.

When visiting the school and meeting with Lynn, it was apparent that Lynn was very dedicated to the students in many ways.

With a growing student population of about 287, Cowan Elementary School is reaching a significant milestone. For many years, its Family Resource Youth Services Center has been combined with that of West Whitesburg Elementary School, another affiliate of Children Incorporated. However, the school’s growth now justifies the establishment of its own Family Resource Center, a testament to its progress.

Visiting with Lynn

For a long time now, Donna has been supporting the Children Incorporated sponsorship program at Cowan. Sadly, Donna was stricken with a severe illness. In August 2023, the Board of Education hired a substitute for Donna. The sub is Lynn, a retired former coordinator. Thus, Lynn started at Cowan with an excellent understanding of our organization with the help of Donna.

This is also a high-poverty community, with 77% of the children coming from low-income families. Lynn’s office is packed with items for the children, given as needed. She mentioned that our sponsorship program is a big help, as providing these growing children with basic needs is constant.

The halls of Cowan Elementary School are brightly decorated with students’ artwork.

When visiting the school and meeting with Lynn, it was apparent that Lynn was very dedicated to the students in many ways, one of which was through her weekend food program. The food bags are assembled and ready for Friday afternoon distribution, ensuring the children have enough to eat over the weekend. The clothes closet, a mix of new items and donations, further demonstrates the school’s commitment to providing for its students. Shoes are so expensive. During our meeting, Lynn said that when she sees a good sale, she tries to buy a few extra pairs. She keeps them on hand when children come to her when they’ve outgrown their current pair.

meeting some special students

After seeing the Resource Center and chatting with Lynn, I had a chance to meet some of our sponsored children during my visit. The first boy I met was Jack*, who was in fifth grade. He is outgoing and has a great sense of humor. Jack comes from a large household consisting of his parents, three sisters, and two brothers. The father is self-employed, working on cars, and the mother is a cashier at a convenience store. The family lives in a modest mobile home, and the parents need help with all household expenses. Jack was enrolled in our sponsorship program last December and is waiting for a sponsor.

Next, I enjoyed talking with Nicki*, who was also in the fifth grade. Nicki is an only child, and her grandparents are raising her. Nicki’s grandfather works as a pharmacy technician at a drugstore in Whitesburg, and her grandmother is a homemaker. The grandparents are caring and conscientious, but they are struggling financially. Nicki was also enrolled in our program in December, and at my visit, she had just been matched with a sponsor.

*Names changed to protect the children.

***

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 that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

written by Renee Kube

Renée oversees Children Incorporated’s work in the United States – from the rural southeast and southwest to our urban areas in New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. She works closely with our network of more than 100 volunteer coordinators at each affiliated site. For sixteen years, Renée managed our sites in the Appalachian Region before taking her current role in 2010.

» more of Renee's stories

As part of our monthly Impact Report, we want to share with you a letter from our volunteer coordinator, Ashley, at Blackwell Elementary School in Virginia. She wrote to thank all our sponsors for their endless support of children in need, which gives her peace of mind throughout the year.

“I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support provided by the Children Incorporated program. The transformative effect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable.”

Ashley’s Letter

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible program you have spearheaded. The assistance provided by Children Incorporated funds has been instrumental in ensuring that enrolled children have access to essential resources, enabling them to embark on a successful academic journey. From school supplies to clothing and footwear, the support has been wonderful, alleviating the financial burden on families and allowing children to start the school year on the right foot. The impact has been profound, with parents expressing immense relief and gratitude for the assistance rendered.

The benefits of the Children Incorporated program extend beyond mere material support. Through initiatives such as special birthday gifts, spring break kits, and emergency grocery orders, children have experienced moments of joy, stability, and community connection.

Several Children Incorporated-enrolled children have made notable strides in attendance and social and emotional learning, owing in part to the nurturing environment and access to resources facilitated by the program. Whether it be a new book, school supplies, or a fresh outfit, these provisions have contributed to our students’ overall well-being and academic success. I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support provided by the Children Incorporated program. The transformative effect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable.” 

Sincerely,
Ashley

your impact through hope in action

Sponsorship is one of many ways you, our loyal supporters, help impoverished children every month. Additionally, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors who have made contributions to our Hope In Action Fund in the last month, we have been able to:

– Provide funding to purchase urgently needed warm clothing for students at Mabel Elementary School in North Carolina
– Provide funds to purchase school supplies for new students at Mabel Elementary School in North Carolina
– 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 support the construction of a new community building at the Visayans Center in the Philippines
– Provide funds to purchase beds and linens for students at Cannonsburg Elementary School in Kentucky
– Provide funds to purchase a stove for the family of two sponsored children at Sebastian Elementary School in Kentucky
– Provide funding to purchase uniforms for students at Arthur Ashe Charter School in Louisiana

…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?

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

 

written by Children Incorporated

We provide children living in poverty with education, hope and opportunity so they have the chance for a brighter future. Thanks to past and current supporters around the globe, we work with 225 affiliated sites in 20 countries to offer basic needs, emergency relief, and community support to thousands of children and their families each year.

» more of Children's stories