GOD’S PLAN FOR CHILDREN HAS
ALWAYS BEEN FAMILY

millions of children around the world are being raised in orphanages.
your church can redefine orphan care.

Orphanages Should not
Be The Default Option

ORPHANAGES ARE NOT
THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

Children who grow up in institutional care are*:

  • 10x more likely to fall into sex work

  • 40x more likely to have a criminal record

  • 500x more likely to commit suicide

MOST KIDS IN ORPHANAGES
ARE NOT ORPHANS.

Approximately 80% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent.

Many children are placed in orphanages because their parents, facing poverty, believe it offers a better future, unaware of the lasting harm institutional care can cause.

U.S. CHURCHES ARE FUNDING
A BROKEN SYSTEM.

$2.5 billion a year goes from churches in the United States to fund orphanages around the world.

Good-hearted churches and individuals are unknowingly supporting and funding an orphan care structure that is damaging children and breaking up families.

your church can redefine orphan care.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE:
"When We Know Better, We Do Better: A Pastor’s Personal Journey to Rethinking Orphan Care.”

*Pashkina (2001). Sotsial’noe obespechenie, 11:42–45. Cited in Holm- Hansen J, Kristofersen LB, Myrvold TM eds. Orphans in Russia. Oslo, Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR-rapport 2003:1)

god’s plan for children

Children develop and thrive in safe, loving families
(PSALM 68:6)

DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING

Daily family life helps children learn language, values, and life skills. Through regular interaction with family members, children develop knowledge and habits that prepare them for adulthood.

EMOTIONAL AND
SOCIAL SUPPORT

Families provide children with the individual love and attention essential to their well-being. The relationships within a family build a child’s sense of belonging and lay the foundation for healthy social and emotional development.

STABILITY AND
GROWTH

A safe and loving family is a vital source of guidance, support, and direction. Children in families are far more likely to thrive—physically, mentally, and socially—than those raised in institutions.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE:
"When We Know Better, We Do Better: A Pastor’s Personal Journey to Rethinking Orphan Care.”

STORIES OF HOPE

Alberto

Born to a mother struggling with drug addiction, Alberto was placed into an orphanage immediately after he was born. After several months in institutional care, he showed signs of several developmental delays. But when he was five months old, he was welcomed into loving family care, where he began to thrive! Watch Alberto’s story!

Daniela

Daniela was placed into an orphanage as an infant because her mother was unable to care for her. When she should have been surrounded by the love of a family, she was being cared for by a rotating staff of employees at the orphanage. Thankfully, at 20 days old, Daniela was welcomed into a loving foster family. Watch Daniela’s story!

ernesto

Ernesto was abandoned in the hospital as a newborn and immediately processed into an orphanage. For the first few months of his life, he was without the love of a family. But his life changed forever when he was placed into the arms of a family. Surrounded by the love and care of a family, Ernesto began to flourish. Watch Ernesto’s story!

Get Involved

inspire your church toward a more biblical, effective approach.

Talk with our team about your church’s current orphan care involvement and how your church can embrace family-based care.

Download our free guide: "When We Know Better, We Do Better: A Pastor’s Personal Journey to Rethinking Orphan Care.”

Join us in praying for children in our care, the challenges or victories we are facing, or any other item in need of fervent prayer.

bible Reading Plans

The Bible highlights many powerful examples of children raised outside their biological families—yet they are loved and called by God for a purpose. Scripture shows us family is not just about birth, but about choice. For those considering foster care, adoption, or other forms of family care, this plan explores how God’s heart for chosen families is woven into His plan of redemption.

Throughout the Bible, we see God's heart for the orphan, as well as the significance of family. This reading plan highlights passages showing how God designed families to nurture love, faith, and belonging. As we study these Scriptures, we'll explore His plan for all children and the call to reflect His love by ensuring every child experiences the warmth and security of a family.

We Are Better Together

Want to learn more about partnering with The Hope Effect? Set up a free appointment with our Executive Director for more information.

 FAQs

  • The Hope Effect was founded by two Christian pastors, and our entire staff (in the U.S. and in our Mexico locations) are Christian. While we are not registered as a faith-based organization, it is our faith that inspires and propels us. Our team recognizes that God has always had a love and concern for orphans, and we believe we should also love and care for these children.

  • In Mexico, where we directly recruit families for our program, we speak at churches and invite people of faith to be a part of our work. Thankfully, many families have responded, but that is not the only place we do recruitment. We have had the pleasure of working with people inside and outside the Christian faith. Simply put, we do not require our caregivers to adhere to the Christian faith. If a family passes the background checks and requirements, we welcome them in with open arms...because every child deserves a family.

  • To protect the privacy of the children and their foster families, we do not offer sponsorships of specific children. However, we know you want your donation to be used for the reason it was given. Through our 100% Model, you can specify that you'd like 100% of your donation to go directly to orphan care.

  • There are many good-hearted churches and individuals who are sincerely trying to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children globally. However, by supporting orphanages, many churches are unknowingly funding an orphan care structure that is damaging children and breaking up families. Based on decades of research, we know there’s a better way. If churches and churchgoers use their compassion and generosity to help children get out of orphanages and into loving families, we will change the way the world cares for orphans. God's plan for children has always been the family.