Stories of Hope
Hands of Hope Blog
Latest Stories
See how children’s lives are being changed – one child at a time – as you read our Stories of Hope.
Nachos, Family + Football
In 2017, Gabby Glaser became a foster parent for the first time. As a social worker for the Department of Child Services, she knew first-hand the struggle to find safe, loving homes for vulnerable kids in her community. “I was seeing kids sleeping in offices,”...
Grateful and Hope-Filled Hearts: Stories of Thanksgiving
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! -Psalm 107 Thanks to donations, we were able to connect with a young man displaced from his home and living with grandparents. He was in need of clothes for school and we were able to...
Wide Awake During War
Since the onset of war in Ukraine, Hands of Hope supporters have continued to care for vulnerable Ukrainian children through our partnership with Wide Awake International. Located in Western Ukraine, Wide Awake pursues the deinstitutionalizing and care of physically...
Start Somewhere, Do Something
In 2004, Patti Rubino had just welcomed her daughter home through adoption. Amid adjusting to life as a new family, Patti quickly noticed a lack of services in her community for children and families impacted by trauma. “I thought, ‘Lord, we need something here,’”...
Starting With Yes
Years ago, Megan and her husband, Brett, thought their family was complete. They had three biological sons, and their youngest was just learning to walk. Then, Megan began to feel a strong leading from God to move toward adoption.
Always All Smiles on Day 6
Around January each year, foster mom Tiffany McKnatt hops online and starts searching for summer fun for her girls. Tiffany fosters teenaged girls—20 over the last 11 years—and she is a fierce advocate for finding healing opportunities for the kids in her care. “One...
Mr. Finney + The Kid From North Philly
“I was just a kid, but I knew something was wrong,” Takkeem Morgan shares.* Growing up in North Philadelphia in the ‘90s, Takkeem was acutely aware of the struggles entangling his beloved neighborhood. “Every imperfection caught my attention,” he says. “The drugs,...
No Talent Needed
Dave jumped first, telling Michelle, “I don’t know where I fit in, but I have a truck, so let’s help.” The couple signed up to deliver resources and found themselves thrilled at the unique opportunity to serve their neighbors face-to-face.
Everything Changed at Exodo
Before she entered kindergarten, Isabela* found herself alone in El Salvador. After spending time in a government-run orphanage, she eventually became one of the first children to move into a new home in the city of Oloculita – Exodo Childrens’ Home. Once at Exodo,...
A Handwritten Note and a Pack of Gum
When Kriste Smith jumped into working with a child welfare agency in Chicago in the ‘90s, she did so because of her desire to serve others.
“Foster Parents Are Essential Workers”: Launching Care Communities During a Pandemic
“When everything started to shut down,” Nick says, “like most people, I thought it was only going to be a few weeks.” As the weeks turned into months, Nick grew more and more discouraged. “My energy was crushed at such a dramatic change,”…
Money Is No Match
“People knew that the money was going toward the right things,” Alannah says. “There was that trust factor.” Now, as part of a new family of three, Alannah continues to urge that money is no match for the power of God’s faithfulness.
You’re Fostering Too
To Our People:
You’re fostering too.
I’ve watched you do it.
When you brought dinner. When you delivered iced coffee. When you hugged me and told me you are proud of me.
Did you know then that you were fostering too?
Supporting Foster Families This Christmas
Tis the season for giving, and Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to show foster families in your community a little extra love.
When Women Are Transformed Together
“I didn’t know it was ok to be a girl.” These words, uttered by a young woman, changed the trajectory of Deena Wilson’s dreams for the way she served Jesus. The impact Berhan Yehun has had on Deena has been more far reaching than she ever imagined.
Keeping Kin Close
More than a decade ago, Dave and Alla unexpectedly found themselves raising their granddaughter Natalie*, a tiny toddler at the time. Their daughter was struggling to parent safely, and the couple stepped in. They had no idea that a short stay would turn into...
10 Ways to Support Children in Care as They Head Back to School
At Hands of Hope, we know it takes a village to support children in foster care, and these kids experience unique challenges at school.
One Small Decision
Have you ever looked back at your life and seen how one small decision changed your future? Don Huber of Long Island, New York certainly has.
Foster Care Changed My Life
Have you ever made a decision that changed your life? That’s what happened to Whitney Small when she and her husband decided to become foster parents.
Powerful Possibilities with CarePortal
Hands of Hope Executive Director Suzy Roth often says, “There are powerful possibilities when we work together.” This truth is continuously on display with the CarePortal resource.