Tag Archives: sponsor children

Liz Collins |

As 2025 draws to a close, I am writing to you with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of commitment. Though I officially stepped into the role of CEO of Children Incorporated in August, I have already been profoundly moved and inspired by the unwavering dedication of our staff, the incredible work happening on the ground through our volunteer coordinators, and, most importantly, your extraordinary generosity.

A Year of Transformative Projects

Your contributions have powered life-changing projects in communities both here in the U.S. and overseas. Here are just a few ways you helped us all make a difference:

  • A New Home for Community in the Philippines: We successfully funded the building of the Visayans Community Center. This new center is now a bustling hub, providing over 250 children and their families a dedicated place to learn, share meals, hold community meetings, and connect with vital resources.
  • Creating Safe and Empowering Spaces:
    • In New Orleans, we helped launch a vital leadership program for eighth-grade girls, helping them build confidence and skills for the future.
    • In Kentucky, we funded the creation of a much-needed “calming space” in an elementary school, offering children a safe haven to process and work through trauma they have experienced.
  • Nourishing Minds and Bodies: Your support led to the distribution of new library books, essential recess equipment, and the creation of multiple community vegetable gardens in both the U.S. and abroad, promoting health and sustainable food access.
  • Opportunity Realized: We purchased team jerseys for a few of our Native American children, ensuring they could join their classmates and play for their school team and not miss out on the opportunity to participate.
  • Fundamental Necessities and Comprehensive Care in Lebanon: Through your generosity, our support extended to the most fundamental necessities: providing hearing aid batteries, food vouchers, educational books, critical psychological care, and reliable transportation for vital medical appointments.
  • Addressing Food Insecurity: Recognizing the critical need, your immediate response enabled us to send over $100,000 of additional assistance to address escalating food insecurity both here in the US and overseas.

The Impact of Sponsorship: Your Hand in Their Story

The cornerstone of our mission is sponsorship, and the ripple effects of these personal connections have been immense this year:

  • Basic Necessities and Rising Attendance: Your sponsorship dollars provided more than 10,000 children with access to basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, and education. School attendance is increasing as a direct result of this assistance.
  • Moments of Joy: We saw the profound excitement of children at the book fair, thrilled to pick out their very own books because their sponsor sent funds for this special opportunity.
  • Moments of Dignity: One of our volunteer coordinators was able to purchase waterless bath wipes for a sponsored child and her sister who do not have running water at home. This practical solution allows them to maintain their hygiene, health, and confidence on the days they cannot travel to a relative’s house to shower.
  • Removing Social Barriers: A near straight-A student was feeling self-conscious about the dirty, peeling tape on his insulin medical sensors. Sponsorship funds purchased specialized waterproof covers, removing a source of embarrassment so he can focus on his education, not his appearance.

Honoring the Past, Building the Future

On a personal note, I was deeply moved by the outpouring of support and congratulations from our sponsors and donors who honored our outgoing CEO, Ron Carter, with generous donations to our Hope In Action Fund. This gesture speaks volumes about the community we have built together.

As I step into this role, I pledge to continue the legacy of service and dedication that Ron established, while looking forward to expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the years to come.

This year has been one of significant milestones, growth, and, above all, impactful change in the lives of children around the world. Every single achievement is a direct result of your trust and support.

Thank you for making 2025 a year of true hope and action. Because of you, children are learning, thriving, and building better futures.

With profound appreciation,

Liz Collins

CEO: Children Incorporated

Considering End of Year Giving?

From our Hope In Action Fund to the Feeding Program to Clothing and Shoes, donations from you provide direct and tangible impact to children around the world. If you are considering giving to a worthy organization by the end of 2025, we hope you consider Children Incorporated. We look forward to seeing what we all can accomplish in the year ahead!

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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.

The Book Fair has Arrived!

​If you went to public school anytime after 1982 you may remember the scholastic book fair – a traveling company that allows students to purchase books, posters, journals, pens, and all things educational. When students are given the autonomy to make decisions in what they’re reading it feels less like an assignment or a chore and more like an opportunity. In fact, a 2013 study by the University of Rochester found that elementary-age students, given the choice of what they brought home to read over the break, had less of a summer learning slide than those who did not.

It’s a well loved time. Journals, books, and pens all provide needed outlets for students, and the feeling of inclusion does incredibly powerful things for a child’s mental health.

Update in the Philippines

Recently areas of the Philippines were hit by Typhoon Kalmaeg. The coordinator at the Visayans Center, one of our affiliates and location where possible damages was expected, had indicated that the new center building, provided last year with support from CI, was being used as a shelter for families in the area.
The building is a secure structure, and it was the first time experiencing an emergency! We are so grateful to be able to provide protection for people, all because of your giving.

Despite the difficult weather situations that have been occurring in the Philippines, our coordinators are always working hard to make sure students have what they need.

Giving Tuesday is coming up!

From our Hope In Action Fund to the Feeding Program to Clothing and Shoes, donations from you provide direct and tangible impact to children around the world. If you are considering giving on this upcoming Giving Tuesday, we hope you consider Children Incorporated. We look forward to seeing what we all can accomplish on December 2nd!

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Meet Maya*, a bright sixth grader from Bolivia who dreams of a peaceful world and hopes to become a military officer one day. She’s a good student who especially enjoys physical education and spending time with her friends. In her free time, she loves drawing, watching anime, and listening to movie soundtracks. At home, she helps her mother by keeping her room tidy in their small brick house. Sponsorship would mean the world to her, it would give her the support and encouragement she and her family need to build a brighter future.

*Name has been changed.

 

 

 

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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 |

Across our programs, gardens are doing more than producing vegetables; they’re classrooms, kitchens, and places where confidence takes root.

Over the years, Children Incorporated has supported garden projects in schools, children’s homes, and communities around the world. These gardens provide fresh food for school cafeterias and families, teach agricultural and life skills, and create safe outdoor spaces where children learn responsibility and teamwork. From Ethiopia, Brazil, New Orleans, and Virginia, school gardens show how simple projects produce measurable benefits for children and communities.

Garden Benefits to Children

-Better nutrition, every week. Gardens supply fresh fruit and vegetables to school meals and to families, increasing access to healthy food. At Phyllis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans, they maintain an Edible Schoolyard garden, which students help to tend. Moreover, the school makes the fruits and vegetables available for students, their families, and community members monthly to take home.

“Our garden is both a classroom and a cafeteria — the children learn, the families eat, and everyone shares the harvest.” -Shayne Latter, CIS Gulf South

-Hands-on learning that sticks. Gardening teaches science, math, and planning through doing; that is best shown through Kids Hope’s garden. In 2016, the garden at Kids Hope Ethiopia began. Children Incorporated supported Kids Hope’s efforts to start a vegetable garden to be used for agricultural lessons as well as food production. This vegetable garden has been great for educational purposes for the children, while also offering them nutritional food. All the vegetables produced there are used in the Center’s kitchen.

-Family and community resilience. Communal gardens at centers like CARITAS in Brazil help families develop skills that support food security and small income projects. The families, along with their children, tend to the gardens, which teaches them all gardening skills. The parents become more self-sufficient when it comes to feeding their family. The families eat, share, and trade the vegetables with other families — and sometimes they sell them at a low cost to make a small profit!

-Emotional and social benefits. Raised beds, outdoor reading areas, and regular garden tasks build routine, pride, and cooperation among students and volunteers. At Pinon school in Arizona, we provided funds to purchase materials for the raised beds and fencing, and supplies including soil, fertilizer, seeds, and hand tools. Crops have been planted every spring, and it is used by the science teacher as well as the dormitory staff for instruction and enrichment activities for the children.

How do gardens help?

Maria is a student currently at G.H Reid Elementary school in Richmond, VA. Our Hope In Action funds helped them create a functional garden the students can participate in. Our coordinator, Sydney, tells a wonderful story:

“Maria was having a tough morning a few weeks ago, and her teacher asked if I could spend some time with her so she could have a break from the classroom. I was watering the garden at the time, so I asked Maria if she’d be interested in helping me.”

“While we tended the garden, I taught Maria about the different parts of the plants (leaves, roots, stems) and showed her how to water directly at the roots. We found some beets that were ready, so she pulled them up. Afterward, I called her mom to see if they would eat beets at home. Her mom was so excited; she happily accepted! Maria took the beets home with her that day.”

G.H Reid Peace garden

In Washington D.C, our coordinator at G.H Reid proposed a noble project: a peace garden in memory of a student lost to gun violence. This garden became a joyful location for students to come and reflect in nature. We were honored to be part of such a task. Through our Hope In Action fund, and a local gardener who agreed to take on the project, students now have a beautiful place to reflect and remember.

Garden projects return immediate, visible results: healthier plates, new skills, and stronger communities. They’re a cost-effective way to connect education, nutrition, and community development — and a clear example of how a small investment can grow long-term change.

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You can plant a seed in a small patch of soil — and watch a child grow. 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:

  • 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
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated |

Hunger is defined by not having enough food to meet daily energy and nutritional needs. It is a problem that most often affects low-income families, because living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter.

In order for a child to have a chance at a bright future, they need to eat healthy meals every day. When they’re hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized, and they face a higher risk of health conditions because they have weakened immune systems. A brain starved of vital nutrients is one that can’t concentrate, setting hungry kids up for failure in school.

Without enough food or proper nutrition, kids face a variety of setbacks that can derail their path out of poverty.

Even those who survive face lifelong consequences. Malnutrition can cause permanent damage to brain development and weaken the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to disease. From developing countries to the United States, children and families don’t always have enough to eat.

Global hunger has declined significantly since the 1970s, when roughly one in four people experienced hunger. But the crisis is far from over.

How does poverty affect world hunger for kids?

Worldwide Child Hunger Facts

– Every year up to two million children die each year due to poor nutrition

– Today, one in 11 people in the world go hungry

– Approximately 28% of all children in developing countries are considered to be underweight, or have had their growth stunted as a result of malnutrition

– Worldwide, malnutrition causes nearly half of child deaths worldwide, yet most kids go untreated.

 National child hunger facts

 – In America, 1 in 8 households suffer from food insecurity, and don’t know where they will get their next meal from

– 85% of counties with the highest food insecurity are rural.

– Nearly 9 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South, indicating regional disparities.

– For every 100 school lunch programs, there are only 87 breakfast sites, and just 36 summer food programs 

What Children Incorporated does to alleviate hunger for children

Donations to our Feeding Program provide meals for children around the world.

Children Incorporated provides basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, and educational support to children living in poverty in the United States and abroad through our child sponsorship program. These essentials are vital to a child’s growth and success in school. We also assist feeding programs in the United States and internationally that ensure that children are receiving meals during the week, and that they are provided with food to take home on the weekends. Additionally, we make contributions toward school gardens so that children living in poverty have the opportunity to obtain fresh, nutritious food, which they would likely otherwise go without.

How you can help

You can help a child who faces hunger in a few different ways! The most long term way to help is by sponsoring a child with us. For $35 a month, you provide basic needs, including food, for a child in need, while also making an investment in their future.

Donating to our Feeding Program Fund is another immediate assistance to children around the world. In the US, donations support such endeavors such as our Backpack Feeding Program, which gives children in Eastern Kentucky food to take home on the weekends and in the summer when school is out. Internationally, our Feeding Program help feed enrolled children who would otherwise go hungry, so that they can be alert at school and ready to learn. These funds support programs in the Philippines, Kenya, and Ethiopia to buy grains, meats, vegetables, and cooking supplies to feed children.

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WANT TO BE PART OF the worldwide solution?

-Donate to our Feeding Program today

-Sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

 

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References:

http://www.thp.org/knowledge-center/know-your-world-facts-about-hunger-poverty/

http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/child-hunger-facts.html

https://www.wfp.org/node/646670

http://www1.wfp.org/zero-hunger

https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are/hunger-facts

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-hunger-us

Rachel Luginbuhl |

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
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org

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.

Artistic impression at Kids’ Hope Ethiopia

Originally designed to perpetuate the image of the local housing typical hut, these domes stand for educational purposes. They were made with a balloon cast, cover with concrete. Several have been demolished, but for the remaining Kids Hope was able to bring an artist who has a very good experience working with kids.  The kids participated very well in that; for some of them, it was an opportunity to exercise their gift. Afterwords they had a color powder party to celebrate.

Your sponsorships and donations allow for integral moments like this, where children are able to enjoy experiences and express themselves without fear. Thank you!

Recent U.S Site visits

During recent visits at the start of the school year, our U.S Director Renee Kube traveled to several states for check-ins with our affiliated sites. During her trip she connected with our coordinators and brought back a wealth of stories!

Children Incorporated’s dedicated volunteer coordinators were busy confirming enrollments, shopping for school supplies, and welcoming new children into the Sponsorship Program. Thanks to generous sponsors and donors, the Hope In Action Program was able to provide extra assistance in several communities. At Crum PK-8, a little girl who was taken in by her sister received a bed, mattress, and dresser. In Martin County, coordinators proudly showcased outdoor classrooms made possible through Hope In Action funds. At Tohaali Community School in New Mexico, students received sports jerseys to represent their school with pride for years to come. At Dzilth Na O Dith Hle, new library books are enriching students’ learning, and at To’Hajiilee Community School, a recent grant is helping a grandmother care for her three granddaughters with much-needed bedding and groceries.

Be on the lookout for a complete trip report soon!

Breakfast time at Laboure school

Our Feeding Program is hard at work in El Salvador, where children are given breakfast every morning to ensure they are fed and focused for the day. These great photos are a reminder of the importance of donating, so-as to continue this important effort. The kids are definitely grateful!

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Unsponsored Child Spotlight

 

Marcus lives in Brazil. The oldest of three, he lives with his mother and grandparents in a clay walled home. Currently in the seventh grade, Marcus excels in mathematics and loves to play soccer. He dreams of a world that is empathetic and patient, and aspires to be a doctor when he grows up.

Marcus’s dreams are impossible without someone like you helping him succeed. Be the reason he hopes for a brighter future. Sponsor Today.

*Name has been changed.

 

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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