As he continues visiting our affiliated sites in India, Luis Bourdet, our Director of International Programs, meets with our volunteer coordinator at the J. Calvitt Clarke Home, who discusses how our sponsors are helping to keep young children from having to work instead of getting an education.
“The children come from rural communities around the area, but they may not have a school available near their villages. Therefore, they come to Dornakal for education.”
About the J. Calvitt Clarke Home
“The town of Dornakal, located about 100 miles east of Hyderabad in the southeastern Indian state of Telangana, is a region where poverty is extensive, especially in years when droughts destroy the rice harvest,” said Luis.
“Since so many families cannot adequately provide for their children’s education or basic needs, our affiliated site, J. Calvitt Clarke Home, serves as a beacon of hope. The home serves impoverished children in this region while also investing in their futures.”
“I visited the J. Calvitt Clarke Home this past summer, which is one of the oldest facilities in the Dornakal Diocese. I met with our new coordinator, Mr. Prabhakar, who told me about how the home provides boarding and school support to a little less than 40 children. The children come from rural communities around the area where they may not have a school available near their villages. Therefore, they come to Dornakal to board full-time during the school year and receive an education,” explained Luis.
“The students at J. Calvitt have a busy schedule during the day, just as in the other homes I had visited during my time in India. The children are fed early in the morning and then sent to school. After school, they have a short time for recreation; then, it is time for homework. This hostel is for boys, and they are happy to be able to get an education, as most parents work in the fields, and the children would be there helping if not for being here and attending school.”
“All basic needs for the children are covered through the Children Incorporated program sponsor support. I did notice that the facilities need some improvement, as the dorm is large and could accommodate more children, but they would need more support to grow their attendance. The dorm was updated with the help of Children Incorporated some years ago, but without any maintenance, it needs upgrades, painting, and repairs in some areas. It has a large U-shaped main building, with a locker room and toilets at each end of the building and the dorm and homework room in the middle. The dining hall building is also used for homework,” said Luis.
“Regardless of the need for repairs, the boys are very happy in the home, and the support they receive from their sponsors is immense. I truly believe that our sponsors are the reason these deserving children are able to go to school and develop into educated young men.”
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.
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. Below are some commonly asked questions about tax deductions for contributions made to our organization.
DOES MY contribution 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.
Your generous donations to Children Incorporated are tax deductible and offer tax benefits. Below are some commonly asked questions about tax deductions for contributions made to our organization.
receiving an annual donation statement
At the end of every fiscal year, Children Incorporated issues annual donation statements through mail and e-mail to every donor who has contributed during the calendar year. You will receive your donation statement either in the mail or by email within the month of January of the preceding year in which you made a donation. Subsequently, you will also receive a donation statement each month of the year that you make a contribution to our organization. If you need a donation statement, please contact our office so we can assist you.
what documents are needed
You will receive a written acknowledgment of your annual donation with the following information.The annual donation document will be needed to claim your tax deduction.
name of our organization and contact information
amount of annual contributions
description/purpose of annual contribution/contributions
WHAT TYPE OF CONTRIBUTIONS are accepted?
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.
Details on eligibility for tax deductions based on location
To find out information about eligibility for tax deductions within your state, please visit the link below:
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.
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.
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.
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 asuccessful 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.”
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.
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.
Child sponsorship involves pairing a supporting donor with a child in need. The donor (who we refer to as the sponsor) donates monthly to support their sponsored children with basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene items, and educational assistance such as tuition or school supplies.
When a family doesn’t have to worry about a child’s basic needs being met, they can concentrate on working towards improving their situation, which is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to help end child poverty. For $35 a month, you not only meet the child’s most immediate basic needs but also provide them with an education that will allow them to pursue higher education or obtain employment in the future.
The sponsorship relationship enables a sponsor to help support an impoverished child through monthly contributions and the exchange of correspondence with the sponsored child if the sponsor so desires. 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 appreciate the financial support they receive from them. There is also an opportunity to build a profound relationship between a sponsor and a child.
How sponsorship directly benefits children, families and communities
Sponsorship provides a child with basic and education-related necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, school supplies, and tuition payments. This vital support allows children living in poverty to develop to their full potential — physically, emotionally, and socially. Our policy is to consider each sponsored child’s needs individually. Our volunteer coordinators personally shop for the children enrolled in our program and choose items based on each child’s personal circumstances and needs.
Additionally, because the support for the child is financial, families greatly benefit from the sponsorship of one of their children or multiple children. When a family doesn’t have to worry about a child’s basic needs being met, they can concentrate on working towards improving their situation, which is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, child sponsorship helps children to grow into responsible, educated adults who are able to contribute to their own communities. Many of our sponsored children who grew up in the Children Incorporated program have become social workers, principals, teachers, doctors, and other professionals.
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.
When I was told that I would accompany the President and CEO of Children Incorporated, Ron Carter, on his first visit to Mexico with our organization, I was beyond excited. It would be my third time seeing our affiliated sites in this magnificent country, but I knew that seeing it with Ron would be a whole new experience and one that I looked forward to immensely.
More specifically, the sites in Mexico are unique because these children otherwise don’t have stable homes for various reasons, and that is why the help our sites offer to children and families is so crucial.
In preparation for our trip, Ron and I spoke at length about what we might expect based on my last visit. As our departure date grew closer, so did my excitement for what Ron was going to see for the first time.
The uniqueness of Mexico
Although I have a fondness for so many of our affiliated sites that I have had the privilege of visiting, our Mexico sites stand out in a very special way. Each of them is run by representatives of the Catholic Church, which is common in Central and South America, as well as in India. Each site is also a home where children board during the week or year-round so they can receive the support they need. More specifically, the sites in Mexico are unique because these children otherwise don’t have stable homes for various reasons, and that is why the help they offer to children and families is so crucial, and it really pulls at my heartstrings.
After a long day of traveling from our office in Virginia to Mexico City, Ron and I, along with our International Programs Specialist, Yefiny, met bright and early with our volunteer coordinator, Beatrice, and her assistant, Monica, in the lobby of our hotel. Monica was newer to the home, and Beatrice had been there for a few years. They both cheerfully expressed how much they enjoyed their time at Santa Ines caring for the girls who lived there during the week.
Visiting Santa Ines
We made our way outside to a taxi, and just a short ten-minute drive later, we arrived at the neighborhood of Coyoacán, known in Mexico City as the home of the Frieda Kahlo Museum and our affiliated site.
The taxi stopped a few blocks short of the home, and we made our way down the cobblestone streets to the grand entrance of Santa Ines, a large wooden door with a smaller one inside of it, directly across the street from a lively church. Beatrice unlocked the small door, and we entered to find a few of the children and their mothers waiting for us already! As it was Sunday, it was typically the day the children returned to Santa Ines after being home on the weekends, and they weren’t usually scheduled to arrive until 5 p.m. Today was different because of our visit, and the girls came to Santa Ines earlier than usual to meet us.
After greeting the children, we took a tour of the facility, first seeing the kitchen and dining room. Monica told us that the girls’ breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m., and then the sisters walk them to the local public schools by 8 a.m., when classes begin.
Learning more about the home
The schools are only 5 minutes away, so, as Monica explained, the girls also come back to the home for lunch and then go back to school in the afternoons for sports and gardening lessons before their day ends at 6 p.m., and they once again return to Santa Ines for dinner at 6:30. Then, the girls work on their homework and bedtime is at 8:30 sharp.
Monica told us that even for the smaller girls, as young as 6 years old, the tight schedule was important to their development, and they all really enjoyed being busy, especially since it meant the girls all got to be together all day and through the night.
The girls seemed overjoyed to be back together after a weekend away with their mothers, and it was apparent they felt that the other girls at the home were like sisters to them.
Next, we visited the dorms where the girls slept and stored their belongings. Monica told us that the older girls, ages 10 to 12, have a separate dorm from the younger girls, and they were all expected to keep their rooms tidy as part of their daily chores. With a capacity to host 30 girls at a time, the home only had 18 girls at the moment, which Monica explained as being due to the fact that the Mexican government determines how many girls are in attendance.
The single mothers whose children stay at the home go through an interview process, and there are rules for qualification – the mothers need to be employed even though they are not expected to pay for the children to stay at Santa Ines – the government pays the fees – but it is required that the mothers prove they really need the help based on their incomes as well as need for childcare during the work week.
As we exited the dorms, we saw that many more of the children had started to arrive, and we had a chance to interact with them in the courtyard as they played games, rode bikes, and swung on the playset. The girls seemed overjoyed to be back together after a weekend away with their mothers, and it was apparent they felt like sisters to one another.
Getting to know the girls
As Monica, Yefiny, and Ron made their way to the administrative offices to have a meeting, I stayed behind to visit with the girls, and we quickly invented a game that I deemed “Como Se Dice?” which involved the girls pointing to objects around the courtyard and asking me how to say them in English. It was endless fun and made me feel quite smart that I could answer all of their questions and, therefore, win the game!
I already knew from my previous visits just how important our sponsorship program was to the girls at Santa Ines — with only limited support from the government, it was crucial that Monica and Beatrice received funds from our sponsors to purchase food, school supplies, clothing and hygiene items for the girls at the home. And for the girls, who might not otherwise receive these items from their mothers who are working hard to make ends meet, knowing Children Incorporated could fill in this gap for them is so incredibly important to their overall well-being. And in the end, it gives their mothers peace of mind that their children are being taken care of even when life is difficult for them.
Saying our goodbyes
When Yefiny and Ron stepped out of their meeting and once again joined me in the courtyard, I could tell Ron was overwhelmed with gratitude for what Santa Ines was doing for these young ladies. He thanked Monica and Beatrice profusely for their kindness towards us and their dedication to helping the children they serve. Before we left, the girls sang a song to thank us for visiting with them, and we also thanked the girls for being such a special part of the lives of our sponsors as well.
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.
