Tag Archives: help children

Ron Carter | November 20, 2022En Español

In the United States, the first Thanksgiving celebration dates back to 1619. Thirty-eight English settlers arrived by boat at the Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia, and they immediately held a festival of thanks and appreciation for their safe arrival following a long and treacherous trip. They also gave thanks for the abundance of the land – vegetables and foodstuffs galore – and they feasted on the bounty before them.

Each year since that time, though the days and dates changed over the course of history, our society has set aside one day each year to give thanks for all that we, as a people, have been blessed with. Food is a huge part of these celebrations, and many of us take for granted that it will be served in great variety and large quantity. That is simply not true for thousands of families in the U.S.

I want to thank each of you who supports the work of Children Incorporated for your caring hearts.

A thanksgiving to remember

I recall meeting a family a few years back at a local elementary school. They had been chosen by a church group to be the beneficiaries of a multi-course Thanksgiving meal, and I was given the task of delivering the food to them. When I arrived at their home and started unloading turkeys and hams, stuffing and gravy, green beans and cranberry salad, as well as an assortment of pies and cakes, the children’s eyes were absolutely huge, and one of the little boys, seeing the turkey in front of him exclaimed excitedly “Is that really for us? We’ve never had a turkey before!” Another child was mesmerized by the pecan pie before him.

The children’s mother had tears rolling down her face as she explained that without this donation of food, she would have prepared a big pot of collard greens, seasoned with a ham bone, and that would have been their entire Thanksgiving meal. That was all they could afford.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and express appreciation for all that we have, yet it is also a time to reflect on the fact that many people – an estimated 12.5 % of U.S. citizens – live well below the poverty line, and food insecurity plagues far more than that. Worldwide, it is said that as many as 828 million people go hungry at least part of the time. As we reflect on our many blessing this Thanksgiving season, may we also think of those who go without. May we realize that we do have the power to make a difference, and we can do so with small acts of kindness, generosity and sharing.

I want to thank each of you who supports the work of Children Incorporated for your caring hearts. I truly believe that together, we can, and we do make positive differences each and every day, however big or small. Together, we touch children, families, and communities, and we offer hope and possibility. For that, and for you, I am thankful. I am also very blessed.

From the heart,

Ronald H. Carter
President and Chief Executive Officer

***

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 | November 11, 2022

Known as the land of lakes and volcanoes, Nicaragua boasts fertile Pacific lowlands, north-central highlands and Atlantic/Caribbean lowlands. Nearly a fifth of the nation is set aside as protected parks or reserves — unique ecosystems teeming with a variety of wildlife. Nicaragua includes diverse ethnicities as well.

In Nicaragua, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and lack of
educational resources.

Indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans, Asians and people of Middle Eastern origin all call this breathtaking land home. Nicaragua’s wealth of natural resources and rich culture, however, belie the deprivation in which most of its residents live.

This largest Central American nation is also the region’s most destitute — it is the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere — and is riddled with natural disasters, political instability and widespread poverty and underemployment. The vast majority of Nicaraguan workers earn less than two dollars a day.

Challenges for Children in Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Nicaragua need your help.

Half of all children and adolescents in Nicaragua live in poverty
An estimated 500,000 children from infancy to 17 years old are not in the education system
240,000 children under 17 years old are in the work force in Nicaragua
Only 72% of children enrolled in school in Nicaragua finish primary school

Our Work in Nicaragua

Thanks to caring people like you, Children Incorporated has helped thousands of children living in poverty in Nicaragua since 1964.

We work with our volunteer coordinators in local communities to provide health and nutrition, education, hygiene items, clothes, shoes, and other essentials that help children and families rise above the poverty in which they live.

Our strategy is to focus on individual children through our sponsorship program, ensuring they are receiving exactly what they need on a regular basis.

Your support makes all our work possible to help children in crisis in Nicaragua.

***

How do I sponsor a child in Nicaragua?

You can sponsor a child in Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/may/19/poverty-nicaragua-children-school-education-child-labour

Shelley Callahan | October 31, 2022En Español

Today we hear from Katalina, who writes to us from Richmond, Virginia, about how simple gifts are making a huge impact on children in our program.

Understanding Cardinal Elementary School

“The Children Incorporated program has been so incredibly helpful in assisting the children this year with their needs here at Cardinal Elementary School.”

“What has also made an impact are the extra gifts that were sometimes sent for either Christmas or a child’s birthday. With those gifts, I made sure to find out what the child wanted to make it extra special for them.”

“Cardinal Elementary School is a Title I school, meaning that most of the children attending are from low-income families; as a result, the entire school receives free breakfast and lunch. With most children at Cardinal coming from families that struggle financially, the ability to assist them with clothing and other needs throughout the year has been a huge help for the families.”

“Through their generous sponsors, children were assisted with clothing, shoes and even toiletry items. This was especially helpful during the winter months. Through these donations, the children were provided with warmer clothing to protect them from the colder temperatures that we get here in Richmond. What is especially heartwarming is that it’s not just the parents that are grateful, but the children as well.”

Helping Marcus and Katie

“What has also made an impact are the extra gifts that were sometimes sent for either Christmas or a child’s birthday. With those gifts, I made sure to find out what the child wanted to make it extra special for them.”

“Marcus* is a 1^st grader here at Cardinal and is everything that you would expect from a seven-year-old. He is sweet, funny, playful and loves dinosaurs. For Christmas, his sponsor sent a special donation, and I was able to purchase him a dinosaur toy. His mom allowed him to receive this before the holiday, and I was able to witness his face when I stopped by their home to drop off the gift. His face lit up instantly, and he was so excited.”

“Katie* is a 5^th grader here at Cardinal. She is hardworking and incredibly sweet. She is beyond grateful to her sponsors. In the fall, money was used to purchase her some clothes and boots for the winter, and the gratefulness she displayed was beyond her years. Her sponsor sent some extra funds for Christmas and then a few months later for her birthday.”

Cardinal Elementary’s newer school buildings offer students a modern and beautiful place to receive an education and additional support.

“Both times, I met with Katie to see what she would like, and her response was always ‘nothing too expensive.’ She is very conscious of price and doesn’t want to ask for too much. For her birthday, I brought her into my office, and we shopped together on Target’s website for some shoes and a jean jacket (she also needed a lighter jacket for the spring). When we found a jacket for $32, she started saying it was too expensive and that she did not need to get that one.”

Making the impossible possible

“I had to remind her that this was her birthday gift and that it was meant for her to choose what she wanted. When the jacket and shoes arrived, she immediately changed into them, and her joy at these simple things was just so heartwarming. Allowing her the opportunity to choose things for herself is something that is not always possible to do with her family’s means, and this program is doing so much to provide for a child that is just so giving and sweet with those around her.”

“These are just two of the children who are assisted by the program, and I think it so clearly shows the impact that the program has. Through the program, the children are given things that may seem simple to some but makes a world of difference in the life of a child.”

“In a much bigger way, the program allows the children to feel that they matter and that people care about their well-being and their day to day lives.”

“Having clothes that fit properly and are in good condition allow a child to better fit in with their peers and protects them from being cold or even too warm depending on the weather. It allows the child to not be an easy target for any other children to point out or make fun of, as children can sometimes do. Providing a child with something as simple as a birthday or Christmas gift, again seems simple, but these simple childhood pleasures that we often take for granted can make a huge impact. It allows the children to feel seen and cared for by their community.”

“Children Incorporated helps connect donors with children in need. In a practical way, the program helps to provide the children with physical needs that may be obstacles to coming to school on a regular basis. However, in a much bigger way, the program allows the children to feel that they matter and that people care about their well-being and their day to day lives.”

*Names changed to protect the children.

***

HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD WITH CHILDREN INCORPORATED?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | October 29, 2022En Español

For nearly 60 years, Children Incorporated has provided basic essentials to children living in poverty, including much-needed clothes, shoes, and other clothing items that help ensure they can go to school properly dressed and prepared for the day.

Thank you for all you do to keep children warm and comfortable throughout the year!

It is incredible how often we hear from our volunteer coordinators about how a new outfit or a new pair of shoes or a new winter coat drastically changed the life of a child in their school or affiliated site.

For some, a pair of shoes is the difference between attending school or staying home. For others, new clothes means that a child living in poverty, who might otherwise only wear hand-me-downs or older, worn clothing, gets to fit in with their classmates and doesn’t have to worry about being teased or distracted in class by feeling like an outsider. Just as much as these items physically allow students to go to school, they also support children’s mental and emotional needs.

Combining two funds to make one special fund

In the past, we have supported children in our program with immediate clothes, shoes and winter clothing needs through two Special Funds: Our Warm Clothing Fund and our Shoes and Socks Fund. Both funds are and continue to be of great importance, and for that very reason, we have decided to combine them into one fund — our new Clothing and Shoes Fund.

As always, donations to our Clothing and Shoes Fund will provide children with warm hats, coats, boots, scarfs and gloves during the winter months, as well as sturdy shoes and cozy socks for children in our program — all thanks to your generous and thoughtful monetary gifts — and we will continue to bring you Stories of Hope about how your donations to this Special Fund are changing the lives of children who need your support the most.

Thank you for all you do to keep children warm and comfortable throughout the year!

***

How do I donate to the ClothING and Shoes Fund?

You can donate to our Clothing and Shoes Fund 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 donation portal, create an account, and make a donation.

DONATE TODAY

Children Incorporated | October 27, 2022

Nestled in northern Central America, Honduras was once home to several Mesoamerican peoples — most notably the Maya. This ecologically diverse land — with its rainforests, cloud forests, savannas, mountain ranges, and barrier reef system off the northern coast — teems with life. Its wealth of natural resources is equally impressive, including a variety of minable minerals and agricultural exports such as coffee, tropical fruit, sugar cane, and lumber.

In Honduras, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and a lack of educational resources.

Moreover, its growing textiles industry serves an international market. The nation’s wealth of natural beauty and resources,
however, belies the dire poverty in which its people live. In fact, Honduras holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the poorest nations in Latin America. This is due in part to its longstanding political instability, social strife, and economic issues that includes fluctuating export prices, rising inflation, and unemployment. Other contributing factors include frequent natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding, as well as widespread poverty, disease, and inadequate education, which results in a high rate of illiteracy.

Challenges for Children in Honduras

In Honduras, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and a lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Honduras need your help.

An estimated 48.3 percent of Hondurans (around 4.3 million people) live below the national poverty line
About half the population in Honduras lives on less than $5.50 USD a day
In Honduras, seven out of ten children live below the poverty line, as classified by UNICEF
43% of children do not live with their parents because of immigration and migration to other countries or areas
3 out of 4 children in Honduras leave school between the ages of 12 and 18

Our Work in Honduras

Thanks to caring people like you, Children Incorporated has helped thousands of children living in poverty in Honduras since 1964.

Our strategy is to focus on individual children through our sponsorship program, ensuring they are receiving exactly what they need on a regular basis.

Your support makes all our work possible to help children in crisis in Honduras.

***

How do I sponsor a child in Honduras?

You can sponsor a child in Honduras 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 Honduras that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

SOURCES:

https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/data/download/poverty/33EF03BB-9722-4AE2-ABC7-AA2972D68AFE/Global_POVEQ_HND.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jun/09/poverty-drought-impending-famine-now-pneumonia-takes-its-cruel-toll-on-honduran-children-acc

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/why-children-are-fleeing-honduras-and-what-unicef-doing-about-it/35571

Children Incorporated | October 17, 2022

We are happy to share with you our Fall 2022 Newsletter, highlighting our work around the world thanks to our sponsors and donors and their generosity and dedication in helping children in need. Enjoy!

Children Incorporated Responds to Major Flooding in Eastern Kentucky

Historic thunderstorms struck southeastern Kentucky in July, producing 16 inches of rainfall within a five-day period and triggering flash flooding throughout the region. Buildings, homes, and roads were damaged due to high water, and the aftermath of the storms was devastating for both our affiliated schools and families in these communities, some of whom lost everything and were forced to live in tents on their property or move into hotels or shelters.

We are happy to share with you our Fall 2022 Newsletter, highlighting our work around the world thanks to our sponsors and donors and their generosity and dedication in helping children in need.

In early August, our volunteer coordinators started reaching out to us requesting support, and we began sending emergency relief funding — all thanks to our amazing donors.

To date, we have sent over $65,000 to help families with immediate needs such as bottled water and nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, and clothes. We are so grateful for donations made to our Hope In Action Fund for our Kentucky flood relief efforts!

OUR DONORS TO THE RESCUE

The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation Supports Our Work in Costa Rica

In June, Spirit Airlines marked fifteen years of flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, and wanted to celebrate by giving back to children, families, and communities in the area, so they contacted Children Incorporated.

“Lanie Morgenstern, the Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility & Strategic Partnerships with Spirit Airlines, was very enthusiastic about our work in Costa Rica when we spoke about a potential partnership,” explained Children Incorporated Director of Development, Shelley Callahan.

In a time of crisis, we are able to support children in Sri Lanka thanks to our donors and sponsors.

“Lanie felt that our work directly lined up with the mission and vision of the Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation. The Foundation was interested in providing immediate educational and basic needs support to children living in poverty who attended our affiliated site, La Milagrosa, in the center of San Jose.”

“I also felt that this partnership was ideal for the children in our program. The $10,000 donation from the Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation allowed our volunteer coordinator to purchase food items, hygiene items, mattresses, clothes, shoes and school supplies for the children we support,” explained Callahan.

“These items were especially important considering how difficult the pandemic has been for families.”

Thank you, Spirit Airlines, for your valuable partnership with Children Incorporated!

INVESTING IN THE YOUTH OF COSTA RICA

Helping Children During A Crisis in Sri Lanka

This year, Sri Lanka has faced its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. Fuel shortages and inflation have left millions of Sri Lankans without kerosene and food, leaving many to borrow money or sell their personal items to feed themselves and their children.

Thankfully, our sponsors and donors are able to offer support to children at our three affiliated sites in Sri Lanka — Chrishanti Lama Sevana, Touch a Life with Hope Center, and the Wijewardane Children’s Home. Monthly funding has allowed our volunteer coordinators to purchase food, mosquito nets and other basic needs items which the children desperately need.

We have children currently on our waitlist in Sri Lanka, waiting for a special person to sponsor them. If you would like to sponsor a child in Sri Lanka, please contact us today.

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER