Tag Archives: Children Incorporated

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Exciting Changes At Children Incorporated!

2025 has seen many changed, and for us at Children Incorporated that meant the retirement of our CEO Ron Carter and the onboarding of our new CEO Liz Collins. In his transition letter, Ron spoke of the new leadership and how it is going to positively bring CI into a new stage. We all can’t wait to continue the longstanding work at Children Incorporated!

Letter from Liz

I am delighted to reach out to you as the new CEO of Children Incorporated. It is a profound privilege to lead this organization, which has been at the forefront of supporting children in need across the globe. Your unwavering commitment and generosity have been instrumental in our mission, and I want to personally express my gratitude for your support.

As I step into this role, my goal is to build upon the strong foundation established by Ron Carter, the staff, and our volunteer coordinators. With a background in process, risk, and product management, I am eager to bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to our programs. I am not new to Children Incorporated and have most recently had the honor of serving as Board Chair for the past ten years. Knowing the organization as I do, I am committed to honoring that special, personal touch that is our trademark.
Your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of countless children, providing them with essential resources and opportunities for a brighter future. Together, we can continue this important work, fostering hope and creating lasting change.

I look forward to engaging with you as we move forward, sharing updates on our initiatives, and exploring new ways to enhance our collective impact. This is a partnership. Thank you once again for your dedication and support. Together, we can change lives and inspire hope for the future – not just in the children, but each other.

Warm Regards,

 

Celebrating Partnership and Purpose

In April 2025, Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital (CISNCAP) celebrated a powerful milestone—20 years of service to Washington, D.C. students. At the heart of this celebration was a shared commitment: When schools support the whole child and their families and build strong partnerships, then those children will have improved learning outcomes.

To commemorate this incredible achievement, CISNCAP hosted a special 20th Anniversary Reception where they honored the many individuals and organizations that help make their work possible. Among those recognized were three outstanding partners whose dedication has left a lasting impact on local schools:

John and Ann Gardner, Impact Award
Principal Allen Richardson, Principal of the Year
Children Incorporated, Community Partner of the Year

We are humbled and honored that Children Incorporated was chosen for this meaningful award, especially during such a landmark celebration.
Accepting on our behalf was Liz Collins, our then Board Chair and current CEO, accompanied by U.S. Programs Director Renee Kube, who both attended the reception in Washington, D.C.Liz took the stage to accept the award, and she spoke from the heart:

Our missions are deeply aligned—and through our shared commitment, we’ve seen how caring adults can change the course of a child’s life.

The Community Partner of the Year award will hold a proud place in our office—and in our hearts—as a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together for kids.

 

Communities in schools: Creating new opportunities

During the evening, Dr. Rustin Lewis, Executive Director of CISNCAP, shared reflections on the organization’s journey. He spoke passionately about the importance of holistic support for students and families, and how strong community partnerships—like the one between CISNCAP and Children Incorporated—create real and lasting change. Since 2008, Children Incorporated has been proud to serve students in our nation’s capital—where, despite the city’s prominence, one in four children still lives in poverty. These children, full of potential, deserve every opportunity to thrive—and we are honored to play a role in supporting them., Our Hope In Action Fund has helped meet urgent needs, from disaster relief to providing tablets for students with extended medical absences. Most recently, through our Higher Education Program, a sponsored student was awarded a grant to attend Catholic University of America after graduating from one of our partner schools. Together with Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital and the generosity of our donors, we are creating brighter futures.

 

Helene: One Year Later

Remembering the hardship and resiliency of those affected

It has been a year since Hurricane Helene caused massive and devastating destruction to areas of North Carolina and Kentucky. Eleven of our affiliated sites were hit in some capacity by Helene, four of them were intensely affected. Families who were already struggling lost everything; it was a crucial time for Children Incorporated to be involved.

Through our Hope In Action Fund, we were able to send immediate resources. Through our Helene Relief Fund, over $31,000 went to directly assist children and their families in our affected areas. We purchased clothing and distributed food, and families were given hope.

Several sponsors generously donated additional gifts, enabling us to provide long-term assistance. Throughout the winter, our volunteer coordinators received valuable resources to support program participants who still faced monumental hurdles on their path back to stability.

Every dollar donated by sponsors and donors went straight to meeting urgent needs during and after the destruction. Now, a year later, we remember that harrowing time with gratitude for those who gave their time, money, and care to support all those affected.

The Appalachian region, though hard hit, remains strong.

 

 

Visayans Volunteer Center: Hope in Action

The Visayans Center was the initial place of support for children on the CI program. This small center, built in the city of Tacloban, was a big effort to accommodate volunteers who would come to this area to provide assistance to this small and poor community.

With time, more and more children wanted to participate in Children Incorporated and benefit from the support provided. We came together to purchase a larger piece of land in the area and sparked the dream of a larger Center—a place with a library, soup kitchen, volunteer space, and rooms dedicated to education and connection.

With the collaboration of initial small savings, and the generosity of CI sponsors, construction was initiated for a new Center in August of 2023. And after much effort, some pains and frustrations, positive effort, and the unwavering assistance of Children Incorporated, construction was finished and the building opened in August 2025!

 

 

The other two Centers affiliated to CI are in different nearby locations, but will also utilize this new Center building for functions and further support.

 

ATTENDANCE IMPACT

The direct benefit of consistent sponsorship

Thanks to our dedicated volunteer coordinators, we have an incredible insight into the long-term impact of Children Incorporated. What is the biggest difference they see?
A dramatic increase in school attendance! Our data shows that consistent sponsor support leads directly to more time in the classroom and better academic progress.

PHILIPPINES

Improved Attendance: Sponsored students have maintained over a 90% attendance rate.
Academic Progress: Many are showing marked improvements in literacy, numeracy, and overall academic performance.
Comprehensive Support: Students received essential school supplies, uniforms, shoes, daily meals, and access to mentorship.
Personal Growth: Several have taken part in life skills workshops, leadership training, and extracurricular programs.

Your support helps me dream bigger. I want to become a police so I can give back to my community.”
Jonathon, 14 years old

Kentucky

Kenny is a kind and determined young man. Sadly his home life is far from what any child should have to experience, and though home life offers little support, he’s committed to making school a priority;
He dreams of becoming an engineer and moving to New York City.
Before being enrolled in Children Incorporated, he struggled with not having enough uniforms or school supplies. One of his biggest wishes was to have something as simple as an alarm clock to help him make it to school on time.

Thanks to his sponsor, Kenny received just that. Now, he proudly wakes himself up each morning, attends school regularly, and carries himself with newfound confidence. His dreams are no longer distant wishes—they’re goals he’s working toward every day.

 

 

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Dear Friends,

When I began working at Children Incorporated in February 2003, I entered a world entirely different from the one I had known for the previous twelve years. Both organizations where I’d served were highly effective child sponsorship programs, but what cemented my love for Children Incorporated was one specific trait – Heart!  Here, staff spoke of children in the U.S. and abroad by name, often knowing details of their lives and circumstances. They never treated these children as numbers; they had names, stories, and futures. I was filled with awe and respect to witness the compassion with which employees and the wonderful volunteer coordinators worked together to give these young ones the assistance they needed to thrive. All these years later, I remain in awe of Children Incorporated, knowing that the true heart of the organization lies in its dedicated staff and their genuine desire to make a difference.

“The impact of Hope In Action is without words. It brings peace in the midst of horrible situations and provides necessary resources when needed most”

Children Incorporated is operated by individuals who care and truly want to help improve the lives of those we serve. Of course, like anyone, these good folks need their jobs and deserve to be paid for their work, but they do far more than simply come to earn a paycheck. They care about their work, and they care about the children. I have been honored to work alongside this rare and special group for more than two decades.

As I head into retirement after 23 years here, I’d like to ask a special favor. Will you help me raise $1,000 for each year I worked at Children Incorporated? The donations honor the incredible people I’ve worked alongside, both past and present staff members.

The funds will support our Hope In Action fund which provides assistance to children in times of extreme difficulty, such as natural disasters. There is always a great need for this, especially in our rural sites and international locations.

Any amount contributed is incredibly appreciated and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many people.

Great thanks for all of the ways you have supported and continue to support the work of Children Incorporated.

From the heart,

Ronald H. Carter

Want to PARTICIPATE in our HOPE IN ACTION fund?

Children Incorporated |

During recent visits to our affiliated sites in Kenya and Ethiopia, we were again reminded of the profound difference sponsorship makes in the lives of children and their families. Our international team witnessed not only the challenges these communities face, but also the resilience and opportunities created through the support of our sponsors.

Kenya: Nurturing Dreams Through Education and Care

In Nairobi, St. John’s Community Center has provided education and care since 1977, and Children Incorporated has partnered with them since 1983. Like many urban centers in developing countries, Nairobi is plagued by a severe shortage of healthcare workers, which contributes to lower life expectancies, high infant mortality rates, and widespread preventable disease. These maladies are perhaps most pronounced in Nairobi’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhood, Pumwani. Challenged with extreme poverty, disease, and crime, this area is home to thousands of children in desperate need of assistance.

St. John’s Community Center serves as a safe haven and a beacon of hope. Here, sponsorship covers school fees, meals, and essential school supplies, while also offering students practical training in carpentry, crafts, and dressmaking. Currently, there are six children at St. John’s Community Center waiting to be sponsored.

SUCCESS STORY

We were thrilled to meet one of our former sponsored children, who shared the following success story with us:

From 2001 to 2006, I was a student at St. John’s Community Center. Since then I have earned​ a bachelor’s degree in social statistics from Karatina University in 2017 with a​ second​ class upper (second best level of achievement).

​I currently work for the “Together For Safe Children” program in Kajiado County, Kenya, as a certified Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

Thank you and God bless you for supporting me when I was young. My dream came true!

Ezekiel

 

Empowering Girls and Young Women in Nairobi, Kenya

In the bustling outskirts of Nairobi, a beacon of hope stands strong: the Msamaria Mwema Center. Established in 1986, this rescue and rehabilitation center is dedicated to empowering orphans and vulnerable women and children. They work to provide a stable foundation through education, vocational training, and basic needs like shelter and nutritious food.

While Kenya has made significant strides in gender equality, deep-seated social, economic, and cultural challenges persist, particularly in Nairobi’s marginalized communities. These issues put girls and young women in a vulnerable position, which is why the work of centers like Msamaria Mwema is so vital.

We are incredibly proud to partner with the Msamaria Mwema Center. Currently, sixty children call the boarding home their safe haven, and our sponsorships support more than half of them. Beyond the essentials of food, clothing, and education, the center also sustains itself through its own farming and a water purification project, showing a remarkable commitment to self-sufficiency.

 

 

 

 

During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting Faith, a brilliant high school student. Her father expressed his profound gratitude for the sponsorship that is helping Faith pursue her dream of attending college; a dream that might have been out of reach due to their family’s hardships. Its stories like Faith’s remind us of the powerful, lasting impact we can have when we invest in the future of a child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Maria Immaculata Centre serves more than 600 children, many of whom were rescued from the streets, or come from families unable to provide for their education. Since 2010, sponsorship has supported both boarding and day students with food, clothing, and school supplies. Under the dedicated care of Sisters Jane Nzioka and Jane Muiga, the center has expanded with new dormitories, a computer lab, a library, and modernized facilities—growth made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors and community support.


Further from Nairobi, the Materi Girls’ School in Tunyai offers a home and education to 800 girls. Founded in 1973, the school continues to thrive. Sponsorship covers food, supplies, and healthcare through its on-site medical dispensary. The girls also benefit from the school’s gardens and livestock, which provide food and income. For many students, sponsorship ensures their basic needs are met so they can focus on their studies and future ambitions.

At the Dandora Community Centre, also in Nairobi, more than 230 children are enrolled, nearly all of them are sponsored directly through Children Incorporated. Although city disturbances prevented us from visiting in person, our virtual meeting with the coordinator confirmed that sponsorship continues to provide a lifeline, keeping children in school and providing the resources they need to grow and succeed.

Ethiopia: Building Brighter Futures

 

Poverty in Ethiopia remains a complex issue shaped by economic, environmental, social, and political factors. While the country has made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades, children and families still face daily hardships. 

In Ethiopia, the impact of sponsorship is profound. At Kids’ Hope Ethiopia in Shashemene, sponsorship is transforming lives. Thanks to this support, 25 children now receive daily meals, school supplies, and access to education. Their meals, often the most substantial food they eat all day, feature vegetables, potatoes, lentils, and injera, Ethiopia’s traditional flatbread.

To boost their nutrition, the center was able to purchase a cow, which provides a glass of milk for each child every other day. They also receive a small portion of meat once a week in their lunch, ensuring a vital source of protein.

For many parents, this support is a life-changer. They often express deep gratitude for how sponsorship eases their burden and guarantees their children a filling, nutritious meal every single day.

 

In Addis Ababa, the nation’s capital, the Rainbow “Erdata” Center cares for 56 children, most from single-parent households where mothers work tirelessly to make ends meet. Sponsorship here helps cover food and school expenses, giving children the chance to focus on learning.

We were especially inspired by Fiker

Fiker is a former sponsored child who is now completing her degree in Business Management and preparing for graduation—an incredible testament to how support today builds a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you sponsors and donors!

Each visit reminds us that sponsorship provides more than just financial assistance—it offers hope, stability, and opportunity. Whether through education, healthcare, or the simple encouragement of knowing someone cares, children are growing into capable, hopeful young adults. To our sponsors: your support is the reason these stories exist. Thank you for walking alongside these children on their journey to a brighter future.

***

Join Us in Making a Difference

These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Whether the children are in the United States or another country, they all deserve to be properly fed, clothed, and cared for, and with your help and through your kindness and generosity – Children Incorporated is steadily working to improve their lives. Whether during the busyness of the school year or the calm of summer days, all children deserve to receive a good education, live with a sense of hope, and pursue opportunities for their future.

 

The 2025/26 school year has officially begun in the US!

We hope you have been enjoying our recent posts showing all our back to school photos. We are so excited to see the school year begin again! Thanks to your generosity, children around the world have the backpacks, school supplies, and clothes they need to begin the school year with confidence. Your support also helps provide nourishing snacks throughout the day, and often the weekends. We couldn’t do this important work without you. Your support ensures our children can return to school with the supplies they need to succeed. They can focus on their education, not on whether their shoes will last another week. Thank you!

 

Holiday Reminder

Although it may still be summer for most, holiday giving is fast approaching. To make your contribution for your child’s holiday gift head over to our website and log in to your account, or call us at 1-800-538-5381. The deadline is October 15th, don’t delay.

 

 

 

Dandora Update

A lot has been happening at the Dandora Community Centre, one of our affiliated sites in Kenya.

During the recent holiday break, they were hard at work making some improvements. This included cementing the floor of two dormitories that had broken/worn down, repainting the walls of the dormitories and putting ceramic tiles on the entryways. The long term goal is within the next two years, the flooring in the classrooms will be replaced as well.
Improvements like this are only possible because of the generosity of you, our sponsors and donors. You are ensuring the environment our students are learning and living in is safe and secure. As they begin their new school term we know they are grateful for each of you.

**********

Unsponsored Child Spotlight

Lillian* attends St. John’s Community Centre, where she is currently in the fourth grade. She has just entered our program and is looking for a sponsor to help her education succeed. Her and her four siblings are all being raised by their mother, who makes about $75/month. Lillian does not let that keep her from dreaming though, her favorite subject is math and she wants to become a teacher when she grows up. She works hard, helping her mother and family and would love for you to get to know her and help her goals become a reality.

Sponsor Lillian today!

 

*Name has been changed.

 

**********

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 a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
  • go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Whether the children are in the United States or another country, they all deserve to be properly fed, clothed, and cared for, and with your help and through your kindness and generosity – Children Incorporated is steadily working to improve their lives. Whether during the busyness of the school year or the calm of summer days, all children deserve to receive a good education, live with a sense of hope, and pursue opportunities for their future.

 

recent International Visits

Our International team recently visited several locations, making sure each child in our program is given health and opportunities. On a recent visit to our affiliated sites in Kenya, they were able to witness the hard work of the coordinators working with the children everyday.

Unfortunately, the challenges faced by the families we support remain profoundly severe. Many children come from acutely under-served environments and dysfunctional family units, with minimal assistance from local government and community partners. The rising cost of living, compounded by extremely low household incomes, creates a dire situation for these families. Ethiopia presents a harsh economic landscape, characterized by a lower cost of living. Mid-level income families earn a meager $50 per month, with those at the lower end struggling with even less. Here, the impact of sponsorship is truly profound; it represents a substantial portion of a family’s monthly income and extends its benefits far beyond the individual child enrolled. It is, as described, “a God-blessing sent,” providing comprehensive relief and empowering entire households to meet basic needs and invest in their children’s future, and most important: their education!!

Sponsors serve as a vital lifeline for real people facing enormous challenges, and help to provide necessary resources to send children to school and ensure they receive nourishing meals – support that families would otherwise be unable to afford. This ongoing assistance offers a crucial layer of stability in an otherwise precarious existence.

 

U.S. SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM

Summer in the U.S means students are at home but that doesn’t mean we aren’t active! Our Feeding Program is hard at work making sure children have access to food despite not being inside the classroom. Many will be participating in back to school shopping soon, we can’t wait to support them as they anticipate returning to school.

 

Be sure to check out our recent Facebook post about a student who was gifted a professional haircut to be looking his best for the first day of school.

End of the School Year

Students at the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf in Lebanon are currently enjoying their summer break, which will continue until October. They shared with us several photos of the students celebrating graduation, having meals together, and spending time encouraging each other before the break. Despite the enormous difficulties in Lebanon this year, our sponsored students remain optimistic, and are incredibly grateful to their sponsors for providing them stability and a chance at education.

Welcome Liz!

At the Children Incorporated headquarters we have been so excited to welcome our new CEO into the office as she begins the transition into the position.

**********

Unsponsored Child Spotlight

 

“Alima” is from a small town in Chile, attending the Handicapped Children’s Center. She is one of 6 children her mother is raising alone. On the meager salary of a tailor, Alima needs a sponsor to help her with the supplies for her to continue school. With just two more years to go, her dream of graduating and becoming a nurse to work to help others can not be possible without you.

*Name has been changed.

 

 

**********

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 sponsorship department; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child in that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Whether the children are in the United States or another country, they all deserve to be properly fed, clothed, and cared for, and with your help and through your kindness and generosity – Children Incorporated is steadily working to improve their lives. Whether during the busyness of the school year or the calm of summer days, all children deserve to receive a good education, live with a sense of hope, and pursue opportunities for their future.

U.S. Feeding program

Summer for the US affiliated sites is a much quieter time. Kids are out of school and our volunteer coordinators are receiving a much needed break before ramping up for the next year. Even though summer is relatively calm, Children Incorporated is still actively making a difference in the lives of many students and their families. Through our Feeding Program, many children receive nutritious meals, even when the school cafeterias they depend on so much are closed. Some of our coordinators also provide “summer bags” for some children, ensuring that their basic needs for hygiene and personal care items, as well as towels and swimsuits, are met. These small items bring normalcy and inclusion to their summer – they don’t need to be afraid of not participating due to something as simple as no swimsuit. As one of our coordinator explains:

Sponsorship doesn’t just meet needs, it restores hope, builds confidence, and creates opportunity

“At the end of the year students received some summer clothing and hygiene items, as well as a towel, swimsuit, and a fun activity. It makes me smile to know that they are able to have these experiences that they would not normally be able to all with the help of their sponsors.”

International Community Gifts

Our International sites also face challenges during the summer months and during breaks from school. For students at The Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf in Lebanon, summer is time away from the school dormitory, spent at home with the family. These children and their families rely on support from Children Incorporated to get them through the school year, and summer is no different. They are extremely grateful for the clothing and shoes they receive, the food they are provided, and some benefit from new batteries for their cochlear implants, even while away from school. Our sponsors and donors do so much to make this happen. One generous sponsor recently donated a generous community gift, and as the direct result, five of our unsponsored students at the Andeweg Institute are now receiving food assistance.

 

Affiliated Site Visits

Several times a year all of our directors travel around the world to connect and engage directly with the coordinators and students within our program. Keep following on social media to hear their stories of how children are being uplifted and supported to break the cycles of poverty.

 

Transition Letter from Ronald Carter

If you haven’t already heard, our current CEO will be retiring at the end of September and Liz Collins will be taking his role at President and CEO. Check out his letter to our sponsors, donors, and all upcoming participants in our organization here.

**********

Unsponsored Child Spotlight

This is Maria*. She is 13 years old and is currently in the eighth grade. In her home country of Honduras she resides at the boarding school with her four siblings. Her teachers describe her as intelligent and she loves playing soccer with the other students at her school. Maria has big dreams for her future, she dreams of becoming a lawyer and helping create a better world around her. This is an impossible goal without a sponsor to assist her achieve her ambitions. Sponsorship means young women like Maria can help change the world for future generations, and you can be the one to make that a reality.

*Name has been changed.

***

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 sponsorship department; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child in that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD