Tag Archives: sponsorship

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

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Exciting Changes At Children Incorporated!

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

Letter from Liz

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

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

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

Warm Regards,

 

Celebrating Partnership and Purpose

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Communities in schools: Creating new opportunities

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

 

Hurricane Helene: One Year Later

Remembering the hardship and resiliency of those affected

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

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

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

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

The Appalachian region, though hard hit, remains strong.

 

 

Visayans Volunteer Center: Hope in Action

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

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

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

 

 

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

 

ATTENDANCE IMPACT

The direct benefit of consistent sponsorship

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

PHILIPPINES

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

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

Kentucky

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

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

 

 

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the heart,

Ronald H. Carter

Want to PARTICIPATE in our HOPE IN ACTION fund?