The Hope Effect

Changing how the world cares for orphans.

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Tomás Found Loving (And Life-Saving) Family-Style Care

We talk often about the negative impacts of traditional, institutional orphan care. Living in an institution often has long-lasting, damaging effects on a child’s physical and psychological health. 

And for children who have medical conditions, institutional care can be even more dangerous. Rotating caregivers and high child-to-staff ratios make it difficult for children to receive personal attention and care. 

But thankfully, because of your support, family-style care is changing the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. Tomás, a boy from Chihuahua, Mexico, experienced this firsthand. In more ways than one, family-style care saved Tomás’ life. 

TOMÁS’ STORY

Tomás grew up in institutional care, moving from one orphanage to another. When he was 10 years old, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 

Most institutions aren’t adequately prepared to care for a child with diabetes. Ongoing treatment requires managing blood sugar levels with insulin, along with specific diet and lifestyle requirements. Without proper care, Tomás was often in and out of hospitals. 

One morning, when he was 13, Tomás was feeling worse than usual, and he noticed he was especially drowsy. Suddenly, his vision blurred and he became dizzy. Tomás was unable to cry out for help. 

He spent the following month in the ICU recovering from a diabetic coma. To make matters worse, nobody came to pick him up after he was released from the hospital. 

Thankfully, our team in Chihuahua was called, and Tomás was placed in temporary family-style until a more permanent solution could be found. Thanks to loving, family-style care, Tomás’ life was about to change.

TURNING A CORNER

Believe it or not, the couple who took Tomás in were doctors! In addition to providing a loving family environment, they immediately began educating and equipping Tomás to care for himself.

Tomás learned how to eat healthy, maintain his glucose levels, and administer insulin. Not only was he given the knowledge and tools to manage his diabetes…he was empowered to truly live. 

After a few months of living and learning, it was time to find a more permanent family for Tomás. It’s often difficult to find family-style care for a teenager, but Daniel and Irma opened their hearts and home to Tomás. During their first meeting with Tomás, Daniel and Irma were enamored with his joy. Tomás’ medical situation did not discourage them…instead, it filled them with even more love and compassion. 

Today, Tomás has a family who loves him and cares for him. We are so thankful for the difference family-style care has made in his life! 

And we’re so grateful for your generosity and support that makes this possible. You truly changed Tomás’ life….and you are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

Donate Today

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There’s Never Been A Better Time To Give

We say it a lot – and we mean it every time – The Hope Effect has the best supporters in the world! We have been overwhelmed by your generosity during these uncertain times. Thank you so much for your continued support!

And there’s good news! There has never been a better time to make a charitable donation…especially one that helps orphaned and vulnerable children! As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress has made several changes regarding charitable giving in 2020.

While we certainly aren’t tax professionals, we thought it would be helpful to let you know about these changes! Read on to learn more…

Raising the Charitable Giving Deduction Cap

If you itemize your deductions and directly write off gifts to charity, the CARES Act has raised the limit on charitable contributions from 60% of adjusted gross income to 100% for individuals and joint filers. Essentially, that means there is no limit…and every dollar you donate is fully deductible. In addition, the limit for charitable deductions for corporations has been raised from 10% to 25% of taxable income.

Universal Deduction for Donations Up to $300

If you’re an individual who doesn’t itemize your charitable giving (and 9 out of 10 of us don’t!), the CARES Act will allow you to deduct charitable donations of up to $300 on your 2020 federal tax return. And married-filing-jointly taxpayers can get a deduction of up to $600.

If you have specific questions about these changes, we recommend contacting your tax professional. But if you want to change the way the world cares for orphans, we’d be honored to help with that! You can partner with us by clicking the link below.

Thank you again for your generosity and support. You are making such a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. You are changing the way the world cares for orphans.

DONATE TODAY

*This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.

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#HopeEndures: Join us for #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone across the globe. Many people have lost jobs, businesses, investments, and unfortunately, loved ones. In these challenging times, we are so thankful that because of your support, more orphaned and vulnerable children are in loving families. Thanks to you, hope endures.

Even so, the situation is dire for many families in The Hope Effect’s locations, as they remain under strict government orders to stay home. Many parents are unable to work due to government restrictions. Often, these families already have difficulty providing for their children…and now they are struggling to put food on the table. In this time of uncertainty, children are at risk of going into government-run orphanages if their families are unable to provide adequate care.

But because of you, #HopeEndures. Your support has already provided groceries and essential items to approximately 100 families in need. We are so grateful that you’ve helped hundreds of children stay in their families. And now, we have a special opportunity to do more!

#HopeEndures on #GivingTuesdayNow

As you may know, #GivingTuesday takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. But in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, The Hope Effect is joining with organizations and individuals across the globe for #GivingTuesdayNow. On this global day of generosity and unity, our focus is supporting families so children can stay right where they should be – in a family! 

Funds raised on #GivingTuesdayNow (and one-time donations throughout the whole month of May) will be used to provide groceries and supplies to families in need. This will enable parents to provide proper care and nutrition for their kids…ensuring children will be able to stay with their families and out of government orphanages.

Just $20 Can Keep A Family Together

We’d be honored if you would partner with us this month to provide food and supplies for families in need. For only $20, you can provide groceries for one week for a family. For just $20, you can be the difference that allows a child to stay with their family.

With your support, we are aiming to raise $10,000 in May. That’s enough to feed 100 families for the entire month and enable our “boots on the ground” staff members to make it happen.

Thank you so much for your continued support and generosity. We are so grateful that because of you, #HopeEndures. Will you join us in keeping children in loving families during this time of crisis?

#HopeEndures – Donate Today!

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Chihuahua, Mexico: Angelica Found Her Safe Place Thanks To You

Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting people across the globe. For many people, predictable routines have disappeared and a sense of security has been lost.

Most of us are focusing on caring for our families and keeping everyone safe and healthy. And parents are doing their best to protect their children and reassure them that everything will be okay.

In stressful and uncertain times, it’s even more important that children receive the love, support, and care of a family. And because of you, that is becoming a reality for more and more orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. You are changing the lives of children like Angelica in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Angelica’s Story

Angelica was removed from her home when she was just an infant because she was not receiving proper care. In their report, authorities stated they believed her mother was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

Angelica was immediately placed in an infant care facility due to multiple health concerns. Because of her conditions, it was clear she needed to be under the guidance and care of medical specialists.

Soon after authorities brought Angelica to the care facility, they contacted our team in Chihuahua. Angelica was quickly placed with a loving family where she would get the individual attention and care that she – and every child – needs and deserves.

Angelica is now being treated by specialists and receiving the necessary health care for her conditions. After three months in family-style care, Angelica is growing, developing, and reaching new milestones! She recently began to crawl and will soon be able to walk.

In addition, she is starting to bond with the family, and recognizes her home as a safe place. Angelica now has a sense of security and stability that is even more critical during these uncertain times.

What an amazing transformation in a short amount of time! We are so thankful she is thriving and experiencing the love of a family. 

This wouldn’t be possible without your generosity and support. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children like Angelica! You are changing the way the world cares for orphans.

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Approved in Sonora: Government Contract Signing Recap!

Last week, we experienced one of the most exciting days in the history of The Hope Effect! We’ve been working for more than three years to get government approval to pioneer family-style care in Sonora, Mexico.

It was a long road as we met with government officials and advocated for family-style care. During that time, your generosity also allowed us to show hope and love to children living in government-run institutions. Still, we longed for the day we could help them find loving families.

We are so thrilled that on February 11, 2020, The Hope Effect signed a contract with the Sonoran government in the capital city of Hermosillo. That made The Hope Effect the first nonprofit to receive approval to provide family-style care in the state of Sonora!

The signing event was incredible! We wish all of our amazing supporters (that’s you!) could have been there with us. After all, you made it happen! Instead, we’ll share as many pictures and details as possible…and know that we are forever grateful for your partnership and generosity.

The Signing: An Event Three Years in the Making!

The Sonoran government arranged the signing event with The Hope Effect team in Mexico, known as Efecto Esperanza. We were thrilled that so many people from the state DIF (Mexico’s version of CPS) came to celebrate the occasion.

Karina Zárate Félix, the director of DIF Sonora, and Wenceslao Cota Amador, the DIF attorney we’ve been working with, joined The Hope Effect founder Joshua Becker and Executive Director Joe Darago up front for the event.

It was amazing to hear government leaders speak about the importance of family-style care and their excitement to work with The Hope Effect. The people of DIF Sonora are wonderful, forward-thinking people who care about the orphaned and vulnerable children in their state.

Several news organizations also came out to cover the signing, and we’re excited they are spreading the word about family-style care!

Touring the DIF Facility: Bringing Hope to Kids in Hermosillo

After the contract signing, the DIF director asked if we’d like a tour of the institution where they are currently caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. This was the first time we’ve had the opportunity to see their facility, and we jumped at the chance to interact with the kids.

We started in the nursery. It’s always sobering to see so many young babies in one room, and realizing many of them have never known the love of a family. We can’t wait to help them get out of the orphanage and into loving family-style care.

We also had a chance to visit the areas for some of the older kids, as well as the unit for children with special needs. Learning their stories just made it even more clear that these children are desperately in need of families.

As we’ve experienced in San Luis Río Colorado, the employees of the DIF facility in Hermosillo were so kind, loving, and helpful. They are doing the best job they can, but for the children in the institution, it’s not the same as growing up in a family environment.

These children deserve families. And because of you, they’ll have that chance.

We Can’t Say It Enough…Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful for you – you made this possible! Thanks to you, more orphaned and vulnerable children in Sonora will be raised in loving families.

We can’t wait to share stories of the lives you’re changing and the difference you’re making across the state of Sonora. Stay tuned for more updates and information on how you can get even more involved in this amazing work. And check out a few more pics below!

Thank you again for being a part of the movement. You are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

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Hope in Hermosillo: We’re Approved in Sonora, Mexico!

The Hope Effect team and government officials from the Sonora DIF at the contract signing on February 11, 2020.

Have you heard the news? We’ve been shouting it from the rooftops, and we’re just gonna keep right on shouting! 

We are thrilled to announce we have received government approval to begin providing family-style care in the state of Sonora, Mexico!

With your support, we’ve been working toward this for more than three years. Thanks to you, we’ve been building relationships and advocating for family-style care with the government and people of Sonora. Your generosity has also allowed us to show hope and love to children currently in government care. 

And your persistence paid off! On Tuesday, February 11, we signed an official contract (known in Mexico as a convenio) with the Sonoran government…making The Hope Effect the first nonprofit to receive approval to provide family-style care in Sonora.

Hope in Hermosillo

The Hope Effect will begin family-style care in Hermosillo, the capital city of Sonora.

This is a huge win for orphaned and vulnerable children in Sonora. Previously, the only option for these children was being raised in an orphanage. But now, thanks to you, more children will grow up knowing the love of a family. 

So what’s next? 

We’ll be partnering with the government to begin family-style care in Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora. There are currently almost 1,000 children living in government-run orphanages in the city of Hermosillo. We can’t wait to help these children find loving, supportive families.

The need in Hermosillo is great…but thanks to you, we are positioned to get started right away. Over the last few months, we hired additional staff in Hermosillo, and we’ve already started recruiting families to provide family-style care. The response has been incredible! We’re excited to share additional updates in the coming weeks. 

And once we are fully up and running in Hermosillo, we’ll look to expand family-style care even farther in Sonora. We look forward to continuing our work in cities like San Luis Río Colorado, where we’ve been building relationships for the past few years.

We Can’t Say It Enough…Thank You!

This is all possible because of you. Thank you so much for your support and generosity. You are changing the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world, and we are so grateful.

Stay tuned for updates…we’ll keep you posted on the great things happening in Sonora! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for our email list to receive the latest and greatest info. 

Again, thank you so much for your support. Together, we are changing the way Sonora – and the world – cares for orphans. 

Give Hope in Hermosillo – Donate Today

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Waiting For Hope

Left: My daughter Mia in Thailand in 2006. Right: Mia at our home in Arizona in 2019.

Recently, my wife Christie and I were sitting down at the dinner table with my daughter Mia, who we adopted from Thailand. Before joining our family, Mia spent the early years of her life in an institution. We brought her home in October 2014, shortly after her twelfth birthday, and she’s now 17. 

That evening, Mia began asking questions about the adoption of one of our other daughters, Sydney. We adopted Sydney from Korea more than twenty years ago, and she joined our family when she was four months old. Mia had several questions about how old you have to be to adopt a baby and how old a child must be before they can be adopted.  

As we talked, Mia mentioned that she could have been adopted as a baby but that nobody wanted her. I immediately stopped her and explained that wasn’t true. Because of issues surrounding Mia’s paperwork in Thailand, she was not legally eligible to be adopted until she was eight years old. 

I looked at Mia and told her, “You were able to be adopted for the first time when you were eight. We found out about you when you were 10. After that, it took two years for all the paperwork to get done. Then we were able to get you when you turned 12.” 

Christie then chimed in and told Mia we wished we could have adopted her as a baby. We would have loved to have her with us so much earlier. We wish we’d been able to love, support, and raise her in our family and our home during those first 12 years. 

This information changed Mia’s story! For her entire life, she believed that nobody wanted her all those years. In reality, it only took two years for her parents to find her and welcome her into a loving family. 

No Unwanted Children

Mia’s story is far too common. In many developing countries, children often wait in orphanages because of legal issues or paperwork delays. If those legal issues don’t get resolved, it could be several years before a child is able to be adopted. At that point, the child has been in institutionalized care for years, resulting in damage to their physical, emotional, and psychological development. And tragically, as children get older, their chances of adoption decrease significantly.

These children are not unwanted! Often, they have just fallen through the cracks in a broken system. These children need advocates — and that’s where we come in! 

We believe every child deserves a family. That’s why we are working hard to get orphaned and vulnerable children out of institutions and into families while their legal situations get resolved. With your support and partnership, we are currently pioneering and expanding family-style care in several locations in Mexico and Honduras.

But none of this would happen without you — we are so grateful for your partnership! You can learn more about how you are making a difference in the lives of children around the world by visiting the projects page on our website. 

Thank you for your generosity. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

GIVE HOPE TO A CHILD TODAY

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What a Year! 2019 Year in Review

Wow, what a year! 2019 was a wild ride, and we’re so glad you came along for the journey! We are incredibly thankful for your support as we work together to change the way the world cares for orphans. Take a look at what you’ve accomplished this year…

Chihuahua, Mexico

In 2019, we introduced not one but TWO new locations for The Hope Effect! In Chihuahua, Mexico, you are helping family-style care expand farther, faster. Thanks to your generous support, we’ve increased the number of families caring for orphaned children from 15 to 36 over the last few months! We fully anticipate reaching our goal of 50 families early next year.

The momentum is growing, and more children in Chihuahua are being raised in loving family environments. You are changing the lives of children like Federico, Mario, and Emma. 

And that’s not all…a few weeks ago, you raised more than $64,000 in one day on #GivingTuesday! That’s enough to fund our work in Chihuahua for all of 2020 and then some! The outpouring of generosity on #GivingTuesday was overwhelming, and we are so grateful. 

Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras

In Santa Rosa, Honduras, our second new location, you are caring for orphans in times of transition. Your partnership provides a family-style environment for children as they wait for foster and adoptive families to become available. Thanks to you, children like Mario and Cristofer are experiencing the love, support, and stability of a family as they await a more permanent home.

And we’re just getting started! You’re so awesome that you fully funded this project more than 18 months ahead of schedule! Your generosity will continue to make a difference in Honduras in 2020.

Sonora, Mexico

This year, we continued working to obtain government approval to bring our innovative model of orphan care to Sonora, Mexico. We’ve made huge strides in building relationships with both the local government in San Luis Río Colorado and state officials in the capital city of Hermosillo. The government has expressed great interest in family-style care…and in partnering with us to make it happen!

We’re confident we’ll have some big news to share in early 2020…you won’t want to miss it! Want a hint? In the last few months, we grew our staff in Mexico and we’re speaking with several families who are interested in providing family-style care! 

In the meantime, your support allows us to provide hope for children currently in government care in San Luis Río Colorado. We recently hosted our third annual Christmas party, and we’ll continue showing love to these kids while working hard to get them into families. 

You Are A Hero!

It’s been a great year, and you deserve all the credit. To us, and to the countless children whose lives you’ve changed, you are a hero! Take a look at what else you’ve accomplished: 

  • More than $925,000 has been raised for orphan care since The Hope Effect was founded in 2015. 
  • More than 1,900 people have donated and become part of the solution. 
  • We had 344 new supporters in 2019.
  • Approximately 180 people are recurring givers, and more than 75 people joined our Dollar a Day Team when it launched in May 2019.

Will you help us finish strong in 2019? As this year comes to a close, please consider The Hope Effect for a tax-deductible, year-end donation. 

It’s quick, easy and secure to provide a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly donation. Every gift helps provide loving, family-style care for orphaned and vulnerable children. Every gift changes a life.

Thank you again for such an incredible year. None of this would be possible without you! You are doing great things…and together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

DONATE TODAY

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“Healthier, Stronger, and Happier”: Federico’s Story

At The Hope Effect, we know every child deserves a family. Still, we are constantly amazed at how much the love of a family can transform a child’s life. Federico, a young boy in Chihuahua, Mexico, is a completely different kid after experiencing loving family-style care. 

Federico’s Story

Federico’s father passed away when he was just a baby. His mother was not in his life, so it was up to his grandmother to raise him. But heartbroken by her son’s death and overwhelmed with the burden of raising an infant, Federico’s grandmother started drinking heavily. 

His grandmother began dropping Federico at orphanages to be taken care of for days at a time. She would bring him home only on weekends, but even then, she would spend most of her time drinking. For years, Federico’s life was full of uncertainty and danger – until one night when everything changed. 

That night, as usual, Federico’s grandmother was craving alcohol and looking for ways to satisfy her addiction. Endangering Federico’s life, she brought him into a bar and began to drink. Thankfully, someone notified the authorities of the child in the bar and the intoxicated woman who’d brought him. 

At just four years old, Federico was placed full time in an institution. Life had been extremely hard on him, and as a result, Federico built a wall around himself. He acted out constantly, having frequent temper tantrums and violent outbursts. He was also diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Separated from the only family he knew, he felt alone. By all accounts, he was alone. But he was not forgotten. 

The Turning Point

Luis and Michelle have always had a heart for loving people. They work with many children in Mexico, and they are incredible role models and mentors for those young kids and teenagers. But their hearts had room for more!

Luis and Michelle welcomed Federico into their home. When he first came to them, he was an angry, violent kid. Federico even got in a few fights during his first week of school. 

But Luis and Michelle could see beneath the anger. With patience and compassion, they began to break down the walls Federico had built, helping him overcome his bitterness and loneliness. Through the love of a family, Federico is now a joyful and passionate child!

Family-style care changed Federico’s life. On a recent visit to the home, Luis and Michelle confirmed the positive difference in Federico. 

“He’s like a completely different child,” said Michelle. “Not only is his anger gone, but he is healthier, stronger, and happier.” 

Be a #HeroForHope on #GivingTuesday!

To Federico, you are a hero! Your generosity makes it possible for kids like him to get the loving family-style care they deserve. And there are many other children in Chihuahua in need of a hero like you!

This #GivingTuesday – December 3rd – we invite you to be a #HeroForHope and help more kids like Federico receive family-style care. #GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity, and this year, funds raised will be used to provide and expand family-style care in Chihuahua.

In addition, one of our generous supporters has offered to match all donations raised for #GivingTuesday…up to $25,000! That means you can double the impact of your gift!

We’d love for you to join us on December 3rd. If you’d like to get a head start, our #GivingTuesday site is live now! Any donations made now through the end of #GivingTuesday will be matched dollar for dollar!

And NEW this year, you can also text your gift! It’s quick, easy, and secure…simply text hopeeffect (make sure it’s all one word!) to 444-999 and follow the instructions.

Will you partner with us and help more children like Federico find life-changing family-style care? This #GivingTuesday, will you be a #HeroForHope?

BE A #HEROFORHOPE – DONATE TODAY!

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From Caregiver to Cared For: Emma’s Story

So let them be little, cause they’re only that way for a while. 
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love, every day. 
Let em cry, let em giggle, let them sleep in the middle. 
Oh, just let them be little.

Those song lyrics capture the importance of letting kids be kids. Of letting them enjoy the wonder and magic of childhood. Of simply letting them be little. 

But for the millions of kids around the world living without the love of a family, circumstances often force them to grow up too fast. That was the case with Emma, a teenage girl living in Chihuahua, Mexico. However, thanks to your generosity, Emma’s life has been changed through loving family-style care.

Emma’s Story

Emma is 15 years old and the oldest of three siblings. She and her two younger brothers were living in one of the poorer neighborhoods in Chihuahua. A local church began reaching out to children in that neighborhood, and one of the women in that church developed a connection with Emma. 

The woman began asking questions about her life and her background. Emma opened up and shared that her mother struggles with drug addiction and is often in and out of rehab. Emma’s mother was in rehab at that time (and still is), leaving Emma with the responsibility of taking care of herself and her two little brothers. 

After learning more about Emma’s situation, the woman decided she was going to help. She became trained and certified to provide family-style care, and the government in Chihuahua gave approval for her to welcome Emma into her home. (Although Emma’s brothers are not able to be in the same home, they are also receiving loving family-style care with another family.)

We are so thankful that Emma is now in the loving, stable care of a family. She is no longer solely responsible for the well-being of herself and her brothers. Now, Emma can be loved and cared for in a family…as every child should be!

She recently celebrated her Quinceañera along with the people she loves, and we are so thrilled to see her loving life as a teenager once again.

Advocating for Emma

Emma’s story has some additional unique complications. Emma was actually born in Canada, so legally she is a Canadian citizen. But because her mother was afraid of being deported, she gave a false last name on Emma’s birth certificate. 

Now that Emma is in Mexico, that incorrect information is causing many problems. It has been difficult to get her legal paperwork for identification and her Mexican nationality. In addition, she wasn’t able to register for school because she doesn’t have a Mexican birth certificate and the information on her Canadian birth certificate is wrong. 

Although Emma’s circumstance is unique, legal challenges and paperwork delays are not. Many orphans need someone to advocate for them and so their case files and paperwork can advance through the legal processes.  

That’s why we’ve been working with our partners in Chihuahua to advocate for Emma. We received approval from the government for her to go to school so she doesn’t fall even further behind. And we will continue to advocate for Emma so we can set her up for success in the future. 

It’s your support that allows us do to this! Your generosity and partnership are changing the lives of children like Emma – providing them the opportunity to be loved and cared for now, and prepared for the future as they continue to grow.

Be a #HeroForHope on #GivingTuesday

To Emma, you are a hero…and there are many other children in Chihuahua in need of a hero like you!

This #GivingTuesday – December 3rd – we invite you to be a #HeroForHope and help more kids like Emma receive family-style care. #GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity, and this year, funds raised will be used to provide and expand family-style care in Chihuahua.

And exciting news – one of our generous supporters has agreed to match all donations raised on that day…up to $25,000! That means you can double the impact of your gift on #GivingTuesday!

We’d love for you to partner with us on December 3rd. If you want to jump in early, our #GivingTuesday site is live now!

And new this year – if you prefer, you can text your gift! It’s quick, easy, and secure…simply text hopeeffect (make sure it’s all one word!) to 444-999 and complete the form. That’s all it takes! 

Will you partner with us and help more children like Emma find loving, family-style care? This #GivingTuesday, will you be a #HeroForHope?

BE A #HEROFORHOPE – DONATE TODAY!