In the quiet town of Pike County, Kentucky, for the last seven years, Brittany has been the dependable leader for our sponsored children, working hard to guarantee they have what they need everyday so their education isn’t disrupted. Brittany is our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator at the Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) at our affiliated site Belfry Middle School. She, like all our coordinators, performs a variety of roles and responsibilities to ensure the kids in her charge have more than just the basics, they have hope for the future.
With so many years dedicated to helping so many, it is obvious Brittany loves what she does. She is able to do her job well because of the support she receives from our sponsors and donors. Brittany has said repeatedly that our organization is a blessing to the FRYSC at Belfry Middle School, and that she depends heavily on our sponsorship program to serve her students – especially those who are struggling to eat at home.
The challenges of facing hunger
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” In America today, people who live in rural areas often face hunger at higher rates than in other parts of the United States – oftentimes due to the challenges they face living in remote locations.
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Brittany, works hard to ensure that the children at Belfry Middle School have food, as well as other basic needs.
When families live far away from businesses or commercial districts, they might not have a way to access food pantries or other social services that could help them feed their families – if those services even exist in those districts. Furthermore, the majority of employment opportunities in rural parts of the United States tend to be for low-wage work; and unemployment and underemployment rates are often higher in rural areas than in non-rural ones. This is what we frequently hear in our work with families living in poverty.
Working together to feed kids
Brittany is on the front lines in Belfry, with a first hand view of how food insecurity is a big concern in her district. In 2025, with the rise in food insecurity and the ever shifting climate in the United States, Brittany relies even more on the financial assistance from our Feeding Program Fund and Hope In Action Fund to keep the shelves stocked for her students.
When families live far away from businesses or commercial districts, they might not have a way to access food pantries or other social services that could help them feed their families.
How do Special funds Help?
Recently, under the direction of our CEO Liz Collins, and because of your ongoing donations, Children Incorporated has been able to send a grant of $25 per child in our program as an immediate response. The scope of this assistance is powerful, it allows swift response to those who need it the most within all of our affiliated sites.
A gift to our Hope in Action or our Feeding Program will allow us to continue addressing basic food needs during this urgent time, alleviating stress for the families affiliated with our program. Many areas in the U.S and around the world do not have access to food banks due to their location, so established organizations and schools fill in the gaps. These resources rely almost solely on donations and local government assistance to keep the shelves stocked. With the holidays approaching and the temperatures dropping, it is vital for us to make sure families know they are cared for and will not be facing food insecurity alone.
We couldn’t be more grateful to Brittany, and to all of our dedicated Volunteer Coordinators who work tirelessly to ensure children in their schools, and in our program, have everything they need to believe in a better future.
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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?
You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:
Click Here to go online to visit our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship
call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with a real person in our sponsorship department
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.
Yefiny Mena, our International Programs Specialist, tells us about her visit to the Juan Apostol School in Guatemala with Children Incorporated Director of Programs Luis Boudret. The Juan Apostol School allows impoverished children to get an education and participate in skills training programs.
“The Juan Apostol School, founded in 1990, is located in Villa Nueva. This area is about 25 miles from Guatemala City, but due to the recent expansion of the city, it has been incorporated into the metropolitan area. About 800 students receive a good education in a low — or middle-income private school, and 112 are enrolled in the Children Incorporated program. Very low-income families are selected to participate in the Children Incorporated program,” said Yefiny.
“All the children participating in our program would not be able to attend this school without the generosity of our sponsors. These sponsors help the children pay their monthly school fees and provide them with food, school supplies, shoes, and clothes.”
“Juan Apostol School is a private school, so it does require families to pay tuition for their children to attend. The school has two buildings; one is entirely dedicated to children from kindergarten to 9th grade. The other building is utilized for grades 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, equivalent to high school and a technical training program.”
“Our coordinator is Mrs. Ruth Morales de Morales, known by her nickname “Tita,” who has been our coordinator for 40 years. Mrs. Morales, her husband, and her son (the actual director) run the entire school,” said Yefiny.
“During our visit to the school, we learned how the students’ daily routine goes by. The school at all levels follows a rigorous educational program that benefits the children. Along with a well-disciplined program, the school is famous nationally for having a modest but well-placed computer program. Parents can access computerized controls to monitor children’s education, transportation, grading, participation, homework support, etc., a unique approach in the country. The school is also known for having one of the best marching bands and music programs of this level in the country, which they use to motivate students for better educational performance.”
“The buildings are solid and adequate for their purpose, but some need minor improvements. The educational program was enhanced a few years ago when Children Incorporated offered support to implement skill training programs to aid the children further. Since then, these programs in Food Preparation, Computers and Robotics, and Cosmetics and Beauty have been incorporated into the academic curriculum,” said Yefiny.
“The children in this school can choose from various technical courses, so by the time they graduate, they can make an income and provide for themselves and their families. The school offers technical sewing, computing, culinary, and beauty courses. Children can choose the one they are most interested in, so while they finish high school, they also learn new abilities.”
“Children Incorporated has donated some industrial kitchen sinks this year to help these children continue their education. During our visit, we watched these kids work in their different areas. They gave us valuable information about their learning techniques and classes and demonstrated their abilities in each region,” said Yefiny.
“It’s important to highlight that all the children participating in our program would not be able to attend this school without the generosity of our sponsors. These sponsors help the children pay their monthly school fees and provide them with food, school supplies, shoes, and clothes.”
“Our sponsors have blessed all these families that depend on their generosity to help their children have a better future. Our coordinator expressed gratitude to the sponsors on behalf of the children’s parents,” said Yefiny.
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 their trip comes to its conclusion, our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, and our International Programs Specialist, Yefiny Mena, visit our last affiliated site in Guatemala before traveling to El Salvador, where students enjoy a more structured environment than other schools in Guatemala offer. Today, we hear from Yefiny about the Bethel School and her impression of how it is helping our sponsored children and their families.
“According to our coordinator, it is certain that these children would not have the opportunity to attend a private school like Bethel without our sponsors’ contribution.”
Visiting the Bethel School
“This small private school is located in Quetzaltenango, about 140 miles from Guatemala City, but a good four hours driving due to road conditions and traffic. The Bethel School opened its doors to children in 1956, and fourteen years later, in 1960, Children Incorporated started sponsoring children at this affiliation. The school serves about 300 students, from kindergarten to 12th grade, in two shifts during the day,” said Yefiny.
“Kindergarten comes in the morning, and the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades come in the afternoon. They provide high school classes and technical training in Computer Technology and Accounting. Children Incorporated support is offered to the children of low-income families and covers school fees, other school support, and sometimes clothes and food.”
“The school adheres to the national curriculum to teach the students and provide a good education for participating children. The buildings are in great need of improvements, and the recent pandemic has the school struggling to draw paid students to increase opportunities for children. Overall, the school is a better option than attending local public schools, which are greatly overcrowded and disorganized. The children here have great pride in attending a private school while not spending a great deal to pay for better education, which benefits our Children Incorporated participants,” explained Yefiny.
“Bethel School’s coordinator is Mrs. Maria Josefina Calderon de Singueza, who is the owner and director of the school. Mrs. Calderon has been our coordinator for 56 years. She is also assisted by Katy Singueza, her daughter, who helps her run the program,” she said.
“During our visit to the school, we met the children in their classrooms and interacted with them and their teachers. We also had the opportunity to talk with Mrs. Calderon about the program. Mrs. Calderon explained that most of the children in our program live in areas that were not very safe for us to visit, but we could meet them in the classrooms.”
“According to our coordinator, it is certain that these children would not have the opportunity to attend a private school like Bethel without our sponsors’ contribution. Our monthly subsidies help them pay, in some cases, 75% of the school fees, depending on the child’s school grade. The higher the child’s grade, the more expensive it becomes, but it is still an affordable fee for the children’s parents,” said Yefiny.
“Besides the monthly fee, some children might receive help with school supplies, shoes, or uniforms. This is occasionally done if, for example, one or both parents lose their jobs and face financial difficulties to provide for the child’s needs at school.”
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.
After four wonderful visits to our affiliated sites in New Orleans, I couldn’t believe our trip was coming to an end as we arrived at our fifth and final school, Samuel J. Green Charter School. As we had done with all of our other visits, Maria met Shayne, Renée, Kristen, and me in front of Samuel Green before we entered.
As we made our way down the walkway, Renée noticed that the name Samuel J. Green Junior High School was carved into the building above the entrance, and commented to Shayne that it was so cool that the name of the original school was the same, even after the charter school system had been put in place so many years ago.
Our final school visit
Shayne agreed, telling us that it was unusual in New Orleans for schools to maintain their original names. It was also common for many charter schools to change their names multiple times, so this was indeed a special circumstance of Samuel Green remaining its namesake. Unlike some of the other schools we had visited as well, Samuel J. Green was not a newer school, and had some of the classic charm of an older, more established school building.
We all entered the school and checked in at the front desk, and then were greeted by our volunteer coordinator, Theressa, who escorted us to her office and resource center, where we chatted for a bit about the school and our sponsorship program.
Samuel Green is located in the Freret Corridor of New Orleans and serves students from all over the city from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Theressa told us she loves the Children Incorporated program and the sponsors, and it is a delight to help the kids at her school. As with our other schools, she said that affording uniforms is the biggest issue for families with kids at Samuel Green. The uniforms cost roughly $60 each for pants or a skirt and a top, and some kids only have one uniform for all 180 school days in a calendar year. With sponsorship funds, Theressa is able to help ensure students have multiple uniforms, other clothing items such as jackets and long pants for colder months, and hygiene items and school supplies.
Theressa mentioned that the school also has a weekend feeding program for students so they don’t go hungry. Renée encouraged her to apply for our Hope In Action grant program to receive additional support for the feeding program or other needs that sponsored children might have, such as bedding or mattresses for their homes.
With sponsorship funds, Theressa is able to help ensure students have multiple uniforms, other clothing items such as jackets and long pants for colder months, and hygiene items and school supplies.
An edible garden to remember
Once we finished our meeting, Theressa brought in two of our sponsored children for us to meet, and then we took a tour of the school. We visited a few classrooms, the gym and cafeteria, and the cooking classroom where a group of students had just finished making guacamole with ingredients they had grown at the school.
Then Theressa led us outside, where I was stunned to see a vast garden filled with produce that the children helped maintain, and then used the vegetables and herbs to make food in their cooking class! This edible garden project, as Theressa described, was a huge success at the school, and something they were very proud to have as it not only taught children valuable skills like gardening and cooking, but allowed them to be outside and use their hands while learning, which can offer a good break from classroom learning.
As Theressa took us back to the front of the school, it was bittersweet to say goodbye to her and then to Shayne and Maria, who had been such wonderful hosts during our few days in New Orleans. Although our trip was coming to a conclusion, I couldn’t wait to get back to the Children Incorporated office to share stories, photos, and videos with our staff and our sponsors about all the fantastic work we are doing in the Big Easy, all thanks to the generosity of amazing donors.
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.
I last visited New Orleans, Louisiana, in the summer of 2007. As I do now with my work with Children Incorporated, I worked with a nonprofit that supported children’s education. I visited local schools to provide free books to students living in low-income neighborhoods all over the city, and it was a rewarding and eye-opening experience.
As Renée, Kristen, and I prepared for our trip to New Orleans, I took some time to read letters from our volunteer coordinators in New Orleans from this past year that I wanted to share and reflect on before meeting them in person.
At the time, New Orleans was still recovering from the devastation of the 2005 hurricane and subsequent flooding caused by the breaking of the levees that occurred. As my co-worker and I made our way around town, we saw more closed schools than open ones and realized how much the devastation was really affecting children’s ability to get an education. When I started working with Children Incorporated 7 years later, I understood firsthand how our sponsorship program was greatly impacting students in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina thanks to my previous work there, and then had the opportunity to learn even more from our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube. According to Renée, our volunteer coordinators are incredibly supportive of our program, and find it invaluable to the success of their students daily. When I found out I would be returning to New Orleans in December 2024 to visit our affiliated sites with Renée and our Assistant Director of U.S. Programs, Kristen Walthall, I was delighted to know I would be able to hear more about how our sponsors are changing the lives of children in need directly from our volunteer coordinators.
As Renée, Kristen, and I prepared for our trip to New Orleans, I took some time to read letters from our volunteer coordinators in New Orleans from this past year that I wanted to share and reflect on before meeting them in person, as they express their deepest gratitude for all our program can do for children at their schools.
Langston Hughes ACADEMY
Over the past year, the Children Incorporated program has continued to support students and families in the Langston Hughes Academy. Funds from the program have been instrumental in meeting various needs, including food, clothing, school supplies, and technology, ensuring students have the necessary resources to succeed at school and in their communities!
One of the most memorable and impactful supports we received from Children Incorporated this year was providing bi-monthly fresh food deliveries to an LHA family. This initiative was supported by a Hope In Action grant. The family had recently migrated to the USA and struggled to find support for their basic needs. The students were experiencing health issues and not attending school regularly. Partnering with Children Incorporated to provide food deliveries significantly improved the students’ attendance, engagement, and health. The school translator noted the substantial positive difference this support has made, and the family was very appreciative of the delicious food they received. Funds were used to supply uniforms, outside-school clothing, and raincoats. We also purchased rain gear and umbrellas for students and families that walk to and from school, ensuring they are prepared for all weather conditions.
The Children Incorporated program at LHA has been highly appreciated by families, students, and school staff. The support provided has addressed needs that might otherwise have gone unmet, fostering a stronger connection between families and the school. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in improving students’ well-being, self-confidence, and academic performance. The Children Incorporated program remains a crucial support system for our school community.
We look forward to continuing our partnership to meet the needs of our students and their families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally. Thank you, Children Incorporated!
Sincerely, Nicole
Samuel J. Green Charter School
Samuel J. Green Charter School has been privileged to partner with Children Incorporated. With generous support from Children Incorporated, I was able to purchase new computers and tablets for the Green graduating 8th graders. These devices are essential for their future academic journey, ensuring they are well-prepared for high school and beyond. Before graduation, several Children Incorporated students expressed concern over attending high school unprepared and without the needed supplies. I saw this as an opportunity to use Children Incorporated funds to help alleviate their worries. The students were so excited and proud when they received their last Children Incorporated bag from Theressa, who reported that it was an excellent way to end their time enrolled in the Children Incorporated program.
I also used Children Incorporated funding to purchase winter coats for all Children Incorporated students. These coats were immensely beneficial, as they kept the children warm and allowed them to attend school regularly without being hindered by New Orleans’s ever-changing weather. Parents reported being incredibly grateful for the coats, noting the significant relief this support has brought their families this year and in years past!
One family in the Green community faced a challenging situation with their power bill before the winter holidays in 2023. They were in danger of having their power shut off right before Thanksgiving. Thanks to the funds from Children Incorporated, we could cover their power bill and ensure that their home remained warm and safe. This assistance provided much-needed stability for the family, allowing the children to focus on enjoying their time off from school with their family in a warm home.
This support was crucial in providing the family with a safe and healthy living environment. The new beds and bedding have contributed to better sleep and overall well-being for the children and given them comfort and security during a time of immense change and uncertainty.
The funding from Children Incorporated has been instrumental in transforming the lives of our students and their families! Children Incorporated has allowed us to create a more supportive and conducive learning environment by addressing critical needs such as education and technology items, summer and winter clothing, utility bills, and other critical basic needs support. Our students perform better academically and are more enthusiastic about attending school when they have support from Children Incorporated!
Best wishes, Theresa
Phillis Wheatley COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Phillis Wheatley Community School has greatly benefited from the support provided by Children Incorporated over the past school year! This report outlines the impact of the generous partnership, which helps support our students’ needs and remove barriers to their success at school and in their community.
“Our students perform better academically and are more enthusiastic about attending school when they have support from Children Incorporated!”
Children Incorporated funding allowed us to purchase school and summer shoes, winter clothing, rain gear, uniform pants, and polos for Children Incorporated students. Proper footwear and clothing helped ensure that all Children Incorporated students could attend school comfortably and confidently daily. Site Coordinators have also supplied high-quality hygiene products to many students and families. This initiative has dramatically improved our students’ personal hygiene and self-esteem, which positively impacts their overall well-being and classroom participation. Site coordinators can ensure Children Incorporated students have the hygiene supplies they need at home and school, thanks to Children Incorporated!
We also utilized the funding throughout the year to provide necessary school supplies. This consistent availability of supplies has been crucial in ensuring that students are always prepared for their classes as the school year progresses. Many students have supplies early in the year but need help replenishing items as they need replacing. Children Incorporated ensures students have access to what they need from the first to the last day of school!
One family was significantly impacted by the generosity of their son’s sponsor this year. Sponsor-donated funds allowed us to purchase furniture items for the family after they recently moved into a new home and the siblings got their own rooms for the first time. Thanks to the generosity of their sponsor, their rooms are now equipped with new dressers, toy chests, bedding, and a few toys, too.
The support from Children Incorporated has been pivotal in addressing the diverse needs of our students, from essential supplies and hygiene products to improved living conditions and community engagement. We are deeply grateful for the continued support from Children Incorporated and our community partners, and we look forward to furthering our mission to provide a supportive and enriching educational environment for all our students.
Thank you, Odina
In the next few weeks, I will be sharing my stories from the schools we visited in New Orleans, which reflect the important work we are doing together to help some of the most vulnerable children in the Crescent City receive an education.
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.
devices are essential for their future academic journey, ensuring they are well-prepared for high school and beyond. Before graduation, several Children Incorporated students expressed concern over attending high school unprepared and without the needed supplies. I saw this as an opportunity to use Children Incorporated funds to help alleviate their worries. The students were so excited and proud when they received their last Children Incorporated bag from Theressa, who reported that it was an excellent way to end their time enrolled in the Children Incorporated program.