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Who we are

Hope for a Family sponsorship creates real change

Our faith teaches us that we are one human family, and that we have a responsibility to the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, wherever they live or whatever faith they may be.

For almost 30 years, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) has brought hope to families living in poverty in the 22 countries where we work. Founded in 1981 by lay Catholics acting on the Gospel call to serve the poor, we have grown into a movement of more than 250,000 sponsors who are supporting more than 300,000 children, youth and aging friends worldwide.

When a sponsor commits to sponsoring a child, youth or aging friend for $30 a month through our Hope for a Family sponsorship program, it impacts the entire family. Our approach to sponsorship provides basic necessities like food, education, clothing and access to medical care – but then it goes much further.

Tekula, the mother of a sponsored child in India, sews backpacks for sponsored children in India

Livelihood programs help families become more
self-sufficient.

Much more than a handout

Our unique style of sponsorship is effective because we know "one size does not fit all." Project coordinators and staff members listen closely to our sponsored members and their families, then tailor benefits and services to meet their specific needs. In many projects, parents of sponsored children are given opportunities to participate in skills training or livelihood initiatives, so that they can begin to rely less on sponsorship and more on their own abilities to provide for their families.

We're in it for the long run

We are committed to helping the families we serve create a path out of poverty, and our benefits and services are designed with that commitment in mind. Sponsorship does not end at a certain age, but only when a student has attained his or her educational dreams, or when the elderly can comfortably live out their final years with dignity, purpose and companionship. Our program is truly a partnership with the sponsored individuals and their families, and with the sponsors. Through active participation in the program and your encouragement and support, families receive the essential tools they will need to break the cycle of poverty.

We invite you to walk with us

The relationships developed through our Hope for a Family program help create a sense of belonging to a caring, international community. Families in the sponsorship program see themselves as part of a worldwide movement with responsibilities and opportunities to share their lives with you as their sponsor. Through letters, photographs and prayer, you are invited to be a companion to your new friend on his or her journey out of poverty.

What we believe

We believe in strong families.

Hope for a Family sponsorship goes beyond distributing material goods and empowers families to become self-sufficient. Families—those with both parents in the home and those headed by one parent or a guardian—are the pillars of a strong, supportive community.

We believe in the wisdom of mothers.

Mothers are often the primary caregivers and know what their families need most to succeed. Our programs are designed in true partnership with the mothers, encouraging them to participate in defining benefits and services for their children.

We believe in the power of friendships.

We provide the opportunity for the sponsor and sponsored friend to make a real connection that gives hope and meaning to both. This connection opens a window between the two worlds and reveals the bonds that tie us together as one human family.

We believe in the dignity of all human beings.

We recognize the inherent dignity of all human beings. When we create a true exchange of cultures, understanding and love as equals, we are doing more than alleviating material poverty. We are also creating the bonds of lasting peace and unity among people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.

We believe in hope.

Because the families we serve are active participants in the program and in their own struggle, hope is a powerful gift that can help them overcome tremendous odds. Their courage in the face of poverty brings hope to their sponsors as well.

Our history

Where your money goes

What you should know

We are not out to convert.

We sponsor children,
youth and the aging
from all faiths and strive
to be a tranquil presence
in their lives.

When we create
a true exchange of
cultures, understanding and love as equals we are alleviating not just material poverty but are also creating the bonds of lasting peace and unity among people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.

To learn more,
watch this short video.