Tag Archives: child

Children Incorporated | October 7, 2024En Español

The news about the devastation of Hurricane Helene has been heartbreaking, as families find themselves no longer with homes and the safety of their communities. Children Incorporated is affiliated with schools in four counties where children have been affected by this disaster. Since last week, our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube, has received the following updates from our coordinators after the catastrophic disaster caused by Hurricane Helene:

Hearing from our coordinators

Our volunteer coordinator, Pam, at Sparta Elementary School in North Carolina, wrote:

“Renée — thanks so much for checking on us here in North Carolina. Our area has been hit pretty hard as a whole. My husband has been retired from the power company for four years, and they called him back in to help. Our region still has many, many people out of power, and our neighboring communities of Ashe and Watauga are in even worse shape. The streets have been flooded, and homes washed away. Today, we saw a picture of a double-wide trailer sitting in the middle of a road after the water receded. We will keep in touch as time goes by. Some people here will probably be without power for a week or more. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

“I am so worried about all of our Mitchell County kids. There will be so much need. It has been announced that all schools will be closed in the foreseeable future. I know that help is really needed.”

Mandy at Alleghany High School says:

“At my house, damage was minimal compared to others, just lots of flooding in the basement. I am working today on cleaning that up. I did ride down to the river, and it was absolutely devastating. There are still people in my community without electricity and water. Trees are down everywhere. A lot of our county’s roads are completely washed out and closed, even the main roads. My husband works for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and he has only got to come home and sleep for a few hours. Thanks for checking on us and working so diligently to help our families in need at this time.”

Elisa’s message

Elisa, our former coordinator at Bowman Middle School in Mitchell County, wrote:

“Renée, I finally got out of Avery County to go to my daughter’s in Marion, McDowell County, North Carolina. There is still no water, power, cell, or landline in the majority of these areas. I am so worried about all of our Mitchell County kids. There will be so much need. It has been announced that all schools will be closed in the foreseeable future. I know that help is really needed. Loss of life is climbing hour by hour.

I can’t begin to explain the devastation. I have only seen a small portion, and it is heart-wrenching. I had severe flooding at my home, but I am alive and well. My children moved heaven and earth to get me out. I wanted to stay to help others, but for my safety, I had to get out. I am planning to make the hour and fifteen-minute trek back as soon as I can to assist. It would normally take thirty minutes, but so many roads are gone. Not closed… gone. Keep praying, please, Elisa.”

A way to help those in crisis

Families of children in our program are in need of immediate assistance as they work to rebuild their lives. Thanks to our generous donors, we can respond quickly to the needs of those we support. We are currently accepting donations to our Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help families in their recovery efforts. Donations will provide cleaning supplies and hygiene items, as well as other resources as needed. You can read more about this important fund and make a donation by clicking the link below. Thank you for your endless support of those in need.

*If you sponsor a child in North Carolina who lives in an area that was impacted, we will reach out to you if the child has been affected once our volunteer coordinators are safely able to make contact with the families.

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Renee Kube | September 30, 2024En Español

Our affiliated school, Arlie Boggs, is a kindergarten through eighth-grade school with a small population of just 128 students. It’s located in the community of Eolia, in the southeastern part of the county. It’s in a rural area, sandwiched between Bad Branch State Nature Preserve and the Virginia state line. There is a lot of poverty in this community — 84% of the children come from low-income families. The children are also struggling academically. The test scores average 33% in reading and 17% in math.

“Thank you so much for this! It has helped lift a tremendous burden that some of our families were facing.”

This is an older school that sits on a hill right next to the road. In the foreground is the Family Resource Youth Services Center trailer. This is a new affiliation for Children Incorporated with a new volunteer coordinator, Miranda. When I arrived to visit the school, Miranda welcomed me warmly and offered to give me a tour. We walked around the building and grounds, talking all the way. Miranda showed me the STLP [Student Technology Leadership Program] station. She is the faculty/staff sponsor for this program, which teaches participating students to use technology to help their fellow students. Miranda helps the students with their broadcasts to the classrooms.

partnering to help children in need

We then entered the middle school wing of the building. Like most kindergarten through 8th grade schools, older and younger children have separate areas. The playground is behind the school, at the top of a hill, and is usually accessed by these stairs. After a recent storm caused downed branches and some damage, caution tape was put up, and the stairs cannot be used until repairs can be made.

In the meantime, the children access the playground by taking a longer walk to the far end of the grounds, climbing the hill, and going in the far gate. The greenhouse needs hand tools, soil, seedlings, and other supplies, and Miranda is interested in applying for a Hope In Action Program grant from Children Incorporated to get some additional support.

Miranda shows Renée some of the classrooms while she visited Arlie Boggs Elementary School.

Also, during the tour, Miranda took me to the office of the two workers with Partners for Rural Impact. I had not yet heard of the organization. She explained that its mission is to ensure that rural students have the opportunity to fulfill their educational aspirations.

The organization is presently working in three states: East Texas, Appalachian Kentucky, and New Hampshire. In the first two states, the organization offers a “Cradle to Career” Partnership, and in New Hampshire, the organization offers a statewide Family Engagement Center. In Kentucky, the organization is partnering with Arlie Boggs, and Miranda said that two workers were placed at the school to collaborate with her on many goals, and they are mutually supportive. I plan to learn more about this organization.

A letter from Miranda

A few months after returning from my trip, I received a letter from Miranda, thanking our organization for the support we we able to provide to students at the beginning of the school year:

Dear Children Incorporated,

This year, we didn’t have the budget to make sure every family and teacher was covered for supplies. Because of your donation, we are able to provide all students and teachers with the items they need for a great school year. I was able to purchase pencils, paper, folders, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, markers, clipboards, and other basic items. Thank you so much for this! It has helped lift a tremendous burden that some of our families were facing.

Best,
Miranda

***

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

Children Incorporated | September 23, 2024

Our volunteer coordinator, Genevieve, at Sebastian Elementary School in Kentucky, writes to us to express how much of an impact our program has had on the children at her school and herself.

A Letter from Genevieve

As a Family Resource Youth Services Center Coordinator, I would like to shine a bright spotlight on Children Incorporated. There is no other program that helps children in our area like this one. It amazes me how quickly Children Incorporated responds to crises; I always call Children Incorporated “My First Responder.”

“I believe strongly in its mission and hope to build a brighter future and offer faith to little souls out there in the world.”

In times of flood, fire, or the death of a loved one, this program is the best. I have been at this educational facility for 19 years, and the children who walk through our doors always know where to turn for extra support from a caring pen pal in the form of a sponsor. With a third of our student population being raised by a relative, not the parent, Children Incorporated steps in with a much-needed resource.

When I retire in a few short years, my first plan is to become a sponsor for a child enrolled in the Children Incorporated program. This is the beginning of my bucket list, and I am deeply committed to this program. I believe strongly in its mission and hope to build a brighter future and offer faith to little souls out there in the world.

Being a volunteer coordinator has been an amazing blessing to me, and I want to pay it back. I never want to stop participating in this program, which I love.

Once again, thank you for letting me have a small part in helping in the lives of the children.

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 for the medical needs of the children at the Juan Apostol School in Guatemala
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for students at Santa Isabel Ana Seton in Guatemala for one month
– Provide funds to purchase snacks for students at Alleghany High School in North Carolina
– Provide funds for the daily meals for 25 children for an entire month at Kids’ Hope Ethiopia
– Provide funds to offer nutritional meals to 40 children for an entire month at the Visayans Center in the Philippines
– Provide funding to purchase hygiene items for students at Rogers Elementary School in Kentucky
– Provide funds to purchase shelving supplies for the coordinator at Buckhorn Combined School in Kentucky for her resource center
– Provide funds to purchase a new refrigerator for a family of a sponsored child who attends Highland-Turner Elementary School in Kentucky

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

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | September 15, 2024En Español

As our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, continues his visits to our affiliated sites in India, he discusses his time at the St. Mary’s Girls’ Hostel, where young women from rural areas are offered the chance for a well-rounded education while having a safe place to live.

“Our program support is crucial in providing food, covering home expenses, and funding educational activities for the children.”

A history of the home

“The St. Mary’s Home for Girls is located in a large city about one hour away from Dornakal. It was formerly a home for polio rehabilitation patients but has now been converted into a hostel for children who want an education but live in rural areas where schools may not be available,” said Luis.

During my visit, Ms. Esther Celina Moses, the Children Incorporated coordinator for the St. Mary’s Girls’ Hostel, shared some important updates. She mentioned that more children are seeking help from our sponsorship program, as the pandemic has severely affected the city’s employment opportunities. Our program support is crucial in providing food, covering home expenses, and funding educational activities for the children. This really showed me just how much of a vital role our organization plays in supporting the hostel and the children it serves.”

Needing Additional Support

“Despite the challenges, the children are resilient and are making the most of the opportunities provided at the home. I told the coordinator that the facilities need some improvement and let her know that she can ask for support from our organization for things such as improvements so the girls have an even better situation while living there. The children seem happy to be there and glad to have the opportunity to be educated. After meeting the girls and having a meeting with Ms. Moses, I left the facility for the day after a small cultural presentation from the children in the program,” said Luis.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | September 8, 2024En Español

During his ongoing visits to our affiliated sites in India, Luis Bourdet recently visited the St. Paul’s Home for Girls – Kothagudem. He was impressed by the high standard of the dorm, which he considers one of the best among our regional partners.

UNDERSTANDING ST. PAUL’S

“My next visit was t0 the St. Paul’s Home for Girls – Kothagudem, located in one of the largest cities in the Dornakal Diocese work area. The Church of South India compound here is large and contains a girl’s hostel supported by Children Incorporated, another hostel for boys supported by another organization, a large church, a school, and other facilities within the largest compound area, perhaps as big as the Diocese office,” explained Luis.

“They thanked Children Incorporated for the permanent support to the children and for education, as they see this as the only way to have a decent life in India after the pandemic.”

“We were told that the church is the largest and most significant contributor to the Diocese regarding offerings and parish members. For this reason, the girls’ hostel, run by the pastor, Rev. Jesudas, with the direct involvement of the former coordinator at St. Paul’s Home, Mrs. Samson, is perhaps one of the best facilities for the children. St. Paul’s was transferred to this location because the local government demanded that all private hostels have a school facility for the children to attend within their compounds.”

“St. Paul’s didn’t, so the program was transferred to this facility not far from the original town. We lost some of the original children during the transfer, but some could transfer to this new facility. They had an old dorm here at Kothagudem, and it was fully upgraded during the transfer. This new facility has a new construction, with toilets and rooms in great shape and covered with tile and modern construction. The cots provided by Children Incorporated some years back were refurbished, and an additional area for schoolwork was added. The children are very happy to have sponsors here,” said Luis.

Helping children in need

“The entire support from Children Incorporated sponsorship here is utilized to provide food, shelter, education, and all other basic needs for the children. The local community has been instrumental in supporting the girls’ hostel. When a need for maintenance arises, or any other need that cannot be covered with Children Incorporated support appears, they are always ready to provide it. This collective effort is the reason this home stands out.”

“After discussing financial reports with our coordinator, and other aspects of the program, I had a short meeting with the local community leaders, where I thanked them for the additional support they gave the children. They thanked Children Incorporated for the permanent support of the children and for their education, as they see this as the only way to have a decent life in India after the pandemic. They indicated that the children will be good providers to their families in the future instead of people depending on the community,” said Luis.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Renee Kube | September 2, 2024En Español

During my visit to Letcher County for the first time since the historic flooding that struct southeastern Kentucky in July 2022, I first visited Jenkins Independent Schools. Jenkins Independent Schools comprises two schools: Burdine Elementary and Jenkins Middle-High. Several years ago, at the request of our coordinator, Angela, Children Incorporated “administratively merged” Burdine Elementary into Jenkins Middle-High. They operate as one affiliated site. Angie looks over both schools; they share one Family Resource Youth Services Center. Angie travels between the two regularly.

After the pandemic learning loss, the students are slowly gaining ground. The middle school children are still struggling, but most high school students have hit average benchmarks.

After the flooding

Burdine Elementary School was damaged during the floods in July 2022, but officials agree it could have been worse. There were 3 feet of water outside, but all the doors held. About 4 inches of water was pushed in throughout the building. However, the flood did destroy the separate preschool building. Outside, all the fencing and playground equipment was destroyed and swept downstream.

When elementary school children first enroll, many are not school-ready. The pandemic years also caused learning loss. At present, elementary school children are not performing well in state standardized tests. The children are struggling not only academically but also financially. 82.3% come from low-income families.

Hearing about the students

After a tour of both campuses, Angie and I met at her high school office. She said the enrollment at the elementary school is about 203, and at the middle school, it’s about 236. Angie plans to add more children in the new school year and may include the preschool children, too.

Angie (pictured) shows Renée the Resource Center during her visit.

Angie shared that her students are dealing with persistent poverty. 86% come from low-income families. There are no more active coal mines in Jenkins. The best jobs are with the school system or the small regional hospital. The remaining available work is small retail or service jobs, such as at dollar stores, gas stations, and fast-food restaurants.

After the pandemic learning loss, the students are slowly gaining ground. The middle school children are still struggling, but most high school students have hit average benchmarks.

On to college for Jacob

Angie likes to do much of her Children Incorporated shopping at Sam’s Club. She mainly purchases clothing, hygiene items, and food. Then, she called a student named Jacob into the room for me to meet.* Jacob is polite and very well-spoken. He is ready to graduate from high school and is still thinking about what he wants to do for his future. Jacob said he is frankly tired of the school routine and is ready for a break and a change. A part of him wants to take a “gap year,” where he can work and get a paycheck. Another part of him wants to plow through and get college done and behind him. When we spoke, Jacob had applied to a couple of places but hadn’t heard back.

Happily, in mid-May, Angie called me with the very good news that Jacob had just received an acceptance letter from Alice Lloyd College, which is adjacent to Knott County. The college is tuition-free! The costs are funded by donations from across the country. However, there are costs for room and board, textbooks, fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Angie asked if she could nominate Jacob for our Higher Education Program. I gave them an extension, and they told me to get the application to me soon. I am thrilled for Jacob to have this opportunity.

*Name changed to protect the child.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD