What A Year! 2023 Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2023, we once again find ourselves in awe of your passion for making a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children.
Your continued support has had a tremendous impact across the globe. Thanks to you, we've seen remarkable growth in our family care initiatives across Latin America and Southeast Asia. And in 2023, we expanded our reach into two additional locations – Nuevo León and Colima, Mexico.
You are a hero to orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. We're thrilled to join you in celebrating your many achievements this year. Take a look at just some of your accomplishments in 2023!
LATIN AMERICA
SONORA, MEXICO
The family care movement continues to gain momentum in Sonora, Mexico! This year, so many children were welcomed into the loving arms of a family. Because of you, kids like Alan, Jessica, and Ernesto know what it means to be part of a family. What an incredible gift you’ve given them.
In addition, 2023 was a banner year for awareness of our family care program in Sonora. In March, The Hope Effect was invited to speak to all government attorneys in Mexico regarding family care at a national conference. That led to several exciting conversations and opportunities for expansion in Mexico.
In May, The Hope Effect's founder, Joshua Becker, spoke at Sonora’s TEDx Pitic event. This allowed us to reach a large new audience and spread the word about family care.
And this summer, The Hope Effect commissioned artist Brady Black to create a large public mural to raise awareness of foster care in Sonora. There was fantastic coverage on local news, radio, and social media, resulting in more promotion of foster care through this project than any other event.
We know 2024 will bring many more stories of lives changed in Sonora. Thank you for making it all possible!
MICHOACÁN, MEXICO
Thanks to you, we are continuing to make strides in Michoacán, Mexico! Following the government's invitation to pioneer family care in the capital city of Morelia, we have been training the government on the logistics of family care and begun placing children in loving families. Unfortunately, due to government regulations, we cannot share stories or pictures with you at this time. However, we are eagerly looking forward to sharing their stories with you as we prepare to renew our contract with the government in early 2024.
We continue to be grateful for our partnership with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. In 2022, we received a grant to further our work in Michoacán, and UNICEF renewed their support in 2023.
Finally, our team has hosted countless recruitment events, awareness campaigns, and family trainings. We're so encouraged by the support and enthusiasm from the community in Michoacán. Because of you, big things are happening...and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish in Michoacán next year!
COLIMA, MEXICO
In August 2023, we announced our expansion into our newest location - Colima, Mexico! The government of Colima invited us to pioneer family care in their state, and we're grateful the government wants a better future for the children of Colima.
We are currently in the process of opening our office. This fall, we hired our state director, psychologist, and family recruiter. We're thrilled to share that we already have several families lined up to go through training and certification to provide family care! 2024 is sure to be a big year for Colima. Thanks for making it happen...stay tuned!
NUEVO LEÓN, MEXICO
In April, we announced our expansion into Nuevo León, Mexico, through a partnership with Back2Back Mexico. In Nuevo León, your support is allowing us focus on two key areas – reintegration and prevention.
Along with our partner organization, we have facilitated the reintegration of eight children who were previously living in orphanages back into their families. In addition to these eight children, The Hope Effect’s partnership also allows for greater support of many other families in the reintegration and prevention program. You are currently making a difference in the lives of more than 100 family members (children and adults) in Nuevo León...what a huge impact!
CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
In early 2023, we completed our four-year partnership with Familia LightShine in Chihuahua, Mexico. Since 2019, we greatly increased the capacity to provide family care in Chihuahua. We’re thrilled that with your support, we helped more than 125 orphaned and vulnerable children in Chihuahua get out of orphanages and into loving families!
southeast asia
BATTAMBANG, CAMBODIA
In October, we celebrated the first anniversary of our partnership in Battambang, Cambodia. In Cambodia, our focus is on reintegration and prevention, and for the last year, you’ve been helping children get out of orphanages and back into their loving families.
Research indicates that three out of four children in Cambodian orphanages have at least one living parent or close family member who could care for them. We are working to get those children out of orphanages and back into their loving families. In addition, we strengthen families to prevent them from surrendering their children to an orphanage in the first place.
Your support has impacted the lives of more than 60 children in Battambang. Thanks to you, children like Chantha are growing up in their loving families, where they belong.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
In 2023, we also celebrated the success of several families in Chiang Mai, Thailand. For the past two years, your support allowed us to facilitate the Building Family Dreams program, which provides education and resources to strengthen families as they learn, heal, and grow together. Families work to develop and maintain a strong family structure so they can bring their children home from orphanages.
Over the summer, the families participated in a graduation camp, signifying successful completion of the program. Thank you for making this possible! We’re so grateful these children are able to grow up in their loving families because of you.
A YEAR TO REMEMBER
As you can see, it’s been a wonderful year! Thank you for sharing our vision and passion for changing the way the world cares for orphans. Take a look at a few more of your accomplishments...
More than 300 orphaned and vulnerable children are growing up in loving families because of you.
More than $2.7 million has been raised for orphan care since The Hope Effect was founded. Wow!
Over the years, 3,254 generous people have donated and become part of the solution.
Approximately 270 heroes give monthly to help children experience the love of a family.
We added 337 new supporters this year...welcome to The Hope Effect!
And in November, you showed up in a big way on GivingTuesday! It was our biggest fundraising day EVER...thanks to you, we raised more than $200,000 in one day!
Your ongoing support means the world to us. And as we approach the end of 2023, there's a wonderful opportunity change even more lives. We would be honored if you would give a tax-deductible, year-end gift to The Hope Effect.
Donating is quick, easy and secure, and you have the option to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly donation. Every gift changes the life of a child.
Just a friendly reminder...this year, December 31 falls on a Sunday. Many post offices close early on Saturday and are completely closed on Sunday. In order for checks to be tax-deductible in 2023, they must be postmarked by December 31.
Thank you again for your support and generosity. Because of you, 2023 has been a year to remember! You are making a significant impact in the lives of children across the globe.
Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans...because every child deserves a family.