Sponsor a Child in
the United States

 

As the world’s third most populated country, the United States is considered one of its most developed and powerful. But the U.S. is first among the world’s 25 richest countries in its percentage of children living in poverty. This is especially true for minority children living in rural communities where child poverty rates are between 40 and 70 percent.

It’s a harsh reality: one in five American children live in poverty.

The Face of Poverty:

Our experience tells us that for many Native American, African American and Hispanic children, (where ChildFund focuses its efforts), conditions can rival those of developing countries: high rates of unemployment and underemployment, dependence upon government assistance, lack of access to quality education and positive activities and unstable home environments.

“We sleep in the back of our pickup truck...”

All of these conditions lead children to drop out, turn off and fade away from reaching their full potential and becoming happy, healthy, productive young adults who can serve as positive change agents in their communities.

“We sleep in the back of our pickup truck – my brother, my sister, my mom and dad and me,” shares a boy, age 11, in the Great Plains region of the U.S.

Our Approach:

Over the past few years ChildFund has shifted its efforts from basic service-provision to a community-based engagement and empowerment approach with a focus on youth agency. We also recognize the potential in creating positive change for children through the restoration of cultural values and traditions unique to each of our target communities.

We partner with community based organizations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas, addressing the specific needs of each area.

Education and Development

ChildFund works to improve early childhood development by improving cognitive, emotional, social and physical growth. We also work with pre-school children by providing home- and center-based programs.

Cultural Restoration

We provide safe and constructive environments through after school and summer enrichment programs. Through these program children and youth engage in educational, social and recreational enrichment activities.

We also provide mentoring, support and guidance to parents and primary caregivers (especially teen parents and grandparents). We promote positive interactions with young children for healthy development.

We offer youth the opportunity to have their voices heard and take responsibility in giving back to their communities.

Parent Education:

Providing mentoring, support and guidance to parents and other primary caregivers (especially teen parents and grandparents) in promoting positive interactions with young children for healthy development of the children.

Sponsor a child in the United States and you will
be helping a vulnerable child achieve the American Dream.
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Cultural Restoration

We help reconnecting children and youth to traditional cultural values, arts and crafts through direct participation and visiting artists. This strengthens children’s cultural identity, confidence and tolerance for others.

Preventative Health

ChildFund works with communities to identify needs specific to that community. We offer nutrition education, physical fitness, community gardening, obesity prevention, teen pregnancy and suicide prevention.