Tag Archives: sponsors

Rachel Luginbuhl | October 15, 2025

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 | October 7, 2025

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 | September 22, 2025

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:

call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members
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

Children Incorporated | April 7, 2025

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.

***

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

Shelley Callahan | April 1, 2025

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 12^th grade, in two shifts during the day,” said Yefiny.

“Kindergarten comes in the morning, and the 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th 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.”

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | March 31, 2025

In December 2024, Renée Kube and Kristen Walthall of our U.S. Programs Division and our Director of Development Shelley Callahan traveled to Louisiana to visit five affiliated schools in New Orleans, where our sponsors are helping children with their most basic needs to ensure they can attend school ready to learn.

“Our coordinators are immensely grateful for the support that we provide to children at their school, especially when it comes to helping them purchase school uniforms and hygiene items.”

“It was amazing to get a chance to meet all of our volunteer coordinators and some of our sponsored children during our visit,” said Callahan. “Our coordinators are immensely grateful for the support that we provide to children at their school, especially when it comes to helping them purchase school uniforms and hygiene items.”

“New Orleans is the only city in the United States with a city-wide charter school system, and all children must wear expensive uniforms. Sometimes, because of these extra costs for families, children only have one uniform for 165 school days in a calendar year,” explained Callahan.

“Thanks to our sponsors, students have multiple uniforms to wear. Additionally, sponsorship provides children warm clothes during the colder months, rain gear, and much-needed hygiene items that these students would otherwise go without. It was amazing to hear such inspiring stories about how our sponsorship program is making such a difference.”

“Thank you to all our incredible supporters who make our work in New Orleans possible! You are truly helping so many lives by sponsoring a child. We couldn’t do it without you,” said Callahan.

Want to learn more about our work in New Orleans? Subscribe to our blog series, Stories of Hope, today! https://childrenincorporated.org/stories-of-hope/

REMEMBERING OUR DEAR FRIEND, MAGDA KEGLEY

Magda Kegley, a longtime employee of Children Incorporated, passed away quite suddenly on Saturday, March 8th, 2025. During her tenure with Children Incorporated, Magda served in various capacities, including over two decades as Director of our International Division. Many of our coordinators and sponsors became quite familiar with Magda and grew to love her, just as our staff did. She was a ray of sunshine, always smiling and always caring about others. Magda’s kind words touched many hearts, and her laughter challenged us all to find joy in life. Our staff will certainly miss our dear friend. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her children, Lisa and Scott, her granddaughter, Brynn, and her sister, Nayda, and the entire family.

Keeping Kids Cozy in the Winter

We want to say a huge thank you to Salisbury Presbyterian Church Preschool in Midlothian, Virginia, for donating pajamas to Children Incorporated through our long-time partner, the Pajama Program!

Each pair of the 233 new children’s pajamas was distributed to children at local schools in the Richmond, Virginia, area, along with a storybook, which the Pajama Program provided.

“Thank you so much for your very valued support! It means so much to all of us that you care so much about these children and their well-being.”

“This is such a fabulous program, and it was so thoughtful for Salisbury Presbyterian to think of students in our sponsorship program,” said U.S. Programs Director Renée Kube. “Knowing that these special children are going to go to bed warm and comfortable in brand new pajamas is very touching for the entire staff of Children Incorporated, our volunteer coordinators at the school, and the parents of these deserving kids. Thank you for your donations!”

Our CEO and President, Ron Carter, Visits Mexico

“Visiting our four affiliated sites in Mexico was quite inspiring for me. Having previously not been to Mexico, I was impressed by the rich heritage of this beautiful and historic country, but more than anything else, I was moved by the commitment and dedication of the sisters who oversee our programs. These women obviously care deeply for the children they serve, and this was never more apparent than at Hogar Casa Julia in San Miguel de Allende”.

“At this site, girls who have been removed from their homes due to various forms of abuse are provided with a safe place to live, nice clothes, and nutritional food, and they receive excellent education and guidance as they heal from their dysfunctional pasts. Sister Isabel, who has been serving at this school for more than a quarter of a century, is a parent figure to these girls, making sure that their needs are met each and every day. She manages funds provided by Children Incorporated sponsors with excellence and precision. She and all of the sisters with whom we work in Mexico are simply incredible, and I was thoroughly impressed with each of them.”

– Ronald H. Carter

New Shoes for Children in Kentucky

Not long ago, we received a letter from Jackie, our volunteer coordinator at Breathitt Elementary School in Kentucky, thanking us and our amazing donors for allowing Hope In Action Funds to purchase shoes and socks for every child in our sponsorship program at her school!

“I am writing in appreciation of the support shown by your organization on behalf of sponsored children at my school. In a school of four hundred students between three and eight years old, fostering independence is vital. Thanks to Children Incorporated Hope In Action Funds, each child in the sponsorship program received a pair of sturdy, name-brand Crocs shoes.”

“These shoes do not require tying, are easy to clean with soap and water, and, most importantly, are comfortable to wear.”

“The kids were thrilled to receive the shoes and loved the attractive colors. They wear them daily. Thank you so much for your very valued support! It means so much to all of us that you care so much about these children and their well-being.”

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