The Hope Effect

Changing how the world cares for orphans.

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A Willing Heart and a Life Changed: Antonio’s Story

Earlier this month, we celebrated a huge win in Hermosillo, Mexico. Thanks to you, the first child ever in the state of Sonora was welcomed into loving family-style care rather than being placed in an orphanage shortly after birth! 

Words can’t describe how excited we are for Baby Antonio. And it’s only fitting there’s a great story to accompany this incredible milestone!

A Long Journey

As we like to say, being the first ain’t easy, but that didn’t stop you!

We began our efforts in Sonora in 2017, and it’s been a long road to pioneer family-style care. Over the last few years, your support allowed us to build relationships with government officials, advocate for family-style care, and show love to children living in government orphanages. 

In February 2020, we were thrilled to become the first nonprofit to receive government approval to provide family-style care in Sonora! And last month, the first three families were trained and certified to care for orphaned and vulnerable children in the capital city of Hermosillo. 

For one of those families, that certification was an important step in a journey that began almost a year earlier.

A Willing Heart

Even before we received government approval in Sonora, we were paving the way for family-style care in Hermosillo.

We began educating community leaders about the orphan crisis and sharing the importance of family-style care. And at our very first speaking event, something amazing happened.

In October of last year, we connected with a group of local pastors in Hermosillo who invited us to speak at one of their regular meetings. We shared our vision for family-style care and asked if they would allow us to speak in their churches. 

Toward the end of the meeting, Pastor Ariel González Echavez stood up. He said not only would he invite us to speak at his church, but he wanted to be the first in Hermosillo to sign up to provide family-style care for a child!

We were thrilled and moved at his willingness to welcome a child into his home. Over the next several months, we spoke at his church and continued to stay in touch with the Echavez family. 

And in July, they became one of the first three families to be certified to provide family-style care.

A Life Changed

Around the time the Echavez family was going through their training, a baby boy in Hermosillo was abandoned immediately after he was born. Baby Antonio* remained in the hospital while the state DIF (Mexico’s version of CPS) was called. 

Until this year, the only option for a child like Antonio would have been to go into an orphanage. He would have been processed by the government and moved into an institution while he waited for an adoptive family.

But thanks to you, there is another option! The DIF contacted our team in Hermosillo, and after just a few short days, Antonio was placed into the loving arms of the Echavez family!

Almost a year after Pastor Ariel volunteered to be the first in Sonora to provide family-style care, he and his family welcomed Antonio into their home and their hearts. It was amazing to see the love in their eyes as they met Antonio for the first time.   

Now, instead of growing up in an orphanage, this beautiful baby boy will know the love of a family. He has been spared the negative effects of institutionalized orphan care, such as inadequate personal attention, stunted development, and delayed or lost learning abilities.

Now, Antonio is growing and thriving, and the Echavez family is so in love with him. We are so thankful that Antonio will have a safe, stable, and loving home while he awaits his adoptive family. 

You Are Changing the Way Sonora Cares for Orphans!

We can’t say thank you enough. You make all this possible…and this is only the beginning! Because of you, more orphaned and vulnerable children in Sonora will get out of orphanages and into families…where they belong! 

Thank you for changing lives in Sonora, and thank you for changing the way the world cares for orphans! 

*The child’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. 

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Reaching a Major Milestone in Sonora, Mexico

For the last several years, The Hope Effect has been on a journey to pioneer family-style care in Sonora, Mexico. Your support has allowed us to build relationships with local and state governments, work with the community, and advocate for orphaned and vulnerable children.

In February of this year, we became the first nonprofit to receive government approval to provide family-style care in the state of Sonora. We are honored to be partnering with the Sonoran government to pioneer this innovative model of orphan care in the capital city of Hermosillo. And now, we’ve reached another incredible milestone!

Over the last few months, our team in Hermosillo has been busy recruiting the first amazing families for this program. These families have been interviewed by our team and by the government. And last week, they went through one of the final steps…completing a three-day training course for providing family-style care.

We are thrilled to announce that these families are the first ever to be certified to provide family-style care in the state of Sonora!

Paving the Way

It was a wonderful three days, and we are so grateful for these families. They are paving the way – opening their homes and hearts to orphaned and vulnerable children in a way that’s never been done before in Sonora.

In addition, the training strengthened our partnership with the government of Sonora. Nine psychologists from the state DIF (Mexico’s version of Child Protective Services) attended the training. We look forward to continuing to work with the government on behalf of children in Sonora.

What Happens Next?

At this time, our staff and the Sonoran government have fully approved two families, and the third is finishing up the final approval process. That means that very soon, the first children in Sonora will get out of an institution and into the arms of a loving family!

And the momentum is growing! Several additional families are in the beginning stages of the approval process. We look forward to taking them through the training in the near future.

We can’t say it enough…thank you! It’s been a long journey in Sonora, and your continued support made it possible. We are so excited to share stories of the lives you are changing in Hermosillo. You are making a difference. You are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

P.S. Take a look at additional pictures from the training below!

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Finding Family on the Road to Recovery: Eduardo and Carlos

Not every child in an orphanage is an orphan.

While it’s certainly true that some kids in orphanages have lost their parents, there are many other reasons a child may be growing up without a family. At The Hope Effect, we often use the phrase “orphaned and vulnerable children” – which speaks to the fact that children may need family-style care because of other circumstances. 

Sometimes, for whatever reason, parents cannot care for their child. In other cases, the government steps in to remove a child from a dangerous situation. This often occurs if a child is being abused or if parents are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. And sometimes, children are removed from their home because of “omission of care,” or neglect.

Eduardo and Carlos

Eduardo and Carlos are brothers living in Chihuahua, Mexico. The young boys were removed from their home and admitted into an infant care facility due to the omission of care.

At that time, both boys required special care due to health concerns. Eduardo, a toddler, had a medical condition that caused mobility problems. As a result, he was not able to walk or run properly. 

His younger brother Carlos had respiratory issues, which were extremely dangerous for such a young child. In fact, when he was only a few months old, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and was fighting for his life for more than three weeks.

During that time, the Garza family began visiting the boys at this hospital. The Garzas were trained by our team in Chihuahua to provide family-style care, and had previously cared for several other orphaned and vulnerable children. 

The Garza family started building relationships with Eduardo and Carlos, showing the boys love and attention. At the same time, the boys’ grandmother was also visiting them at the hospital. Although she couldn’t immediately care for Eduardo and Carlos, she was there for the boys during this critical time. 

The Road to Recovery

The Garzas welcomed Eduardo and Carlos into their hearts. And once Carlos was released from the hospital, they welcomed the boys into their home. The Garzas cared for Eduardo and Carlos in a safe, stable environment for several months. Loving family-style care was just what the boys needed after the long hospital stay. 

And in this case, family-style care provided a bridge to a more long-term solution. After a few months, the Eduardo and Carlos were reunited with their extended family and are now living with their grandmother.

And even better – Eduardo was able to have the necessary surgery to correct his medical condition. The surgery was a success…he has regained his mobility and is able to walk and run! 

We are so thankful that Eduardo and Carlos are doing well…and we’re so thankful for you! Your generous support allows children like Eduardo and Carlos to experience the love of a family, no matter their circumstances.

Thank you for changing lives – and changing the way the world cares for orphaned and vulnerable children!

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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