We’re Doing Things Differently.

Since the organization’s founding in Russia in 1994, Children’s HopeChest has grown over the last 25 years to partner with seven countries around the world, ultimately impacting around 50,000 individuals living in impoverished communities.

HopeChest now works in Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Moldova, Russia, and Uganda.

1994

Russia

2007

Eswatini

2009

Uganda
Ethiopia

2010

Moldova

2011

Guatemala

2019

Kenya

2020

Friendship Model

At the core of our existence, HopeChest believes our faith calls us to take action:

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
James 2:14-17 (NIV)

We are further called to our specific vision and mission toward those God has close to His heart:

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)

So, as we launch into 2020, we are asking our current partners to continue to invest in the relationships that are writing fresh stories of individual impact and creating new chapters in the life of the community the CarePoint is anchored in. It is appropriate that our 26th year begins in the year 2020 as we have a fresh and clear vision inspired by the knowledge we’ve been invested with from years of experience.

Black and white portrait of Ken Sparks

Ken Sparks
CEO + President

What if children were empowered to choose their sponsors, instead of sponsors selecting their sponsored child? Children’s HopeChest has been operating with a traditional sponsorship model for the last 25 years. To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are switching things up for the next 125 years by announcing the “Friendship Model,” an innovative approach to rethink child sponsorship and give children a voice and choice.

The idea was born in September 2018 from a conversation with HopeChest Country Director of Moldova, Serghei Mihailov, who explained that in Moldova sponsorship has a negative connotation, meaning that a child feels owned by their sponsor. Serghei suggested that, to provide dignity and agency for the child, the child might choose a “HopeChest Friend” to build a relationship with from among those who sign up to support the CarePoint.

HopeChest has been workshopping the Friendship Model since March 2019, and is excited to announce our desire to expand this initiative!

Young girl in Kenya holding a photo of her HopeChest Friend

In 2019, the Friendship Model launched at three CarePoints. We are seeing hope ignited and dignity restored as children are given a voice and choice to choose their HopeChest Friends.

Meet Altipute! Read the heartwarming and redemptive story behind why Altipute chose her HopeChest Friend.

“I chose him to be my HopeChest Friend because…”

What’s Next?

Moving forward, the Friendship Model will be presented to all potential and new partners. HopeChest is also working to update the technology and software we use to process sponsorships, so we can eventually offer the Friendship Model to existing partners.

What Does This Mean for Me?

If you are already a sponsor with Children’s HopeChest, we’re now calling you a “HopeChest Friend!” We believe that “HopeChest Friend” best captures the relationship that is built between sponsor and sponsored child.

Help us expand the Friendship Model around the world! Give $25 for HopeChest’s 25th anniversary.

We're Taking a Raincheck!

Children’s HopeChest has postponed the 25th Anniversary Gala. We will be celebrating in the future when some of our partners are feeling more comfortable with travel given the recent and rapidly developing COVID-19 situation. Thank you for your interest in celebrating with us and stay tuned on HopeChest’s blog and social media to learn more about our impact over the past 25 years!