Breaking through Barriers UPDATE!

Last year we made the decision to complete the renovation of the third floor of the Point of Hope Development Center. This capital campaign was called "Breaking through Barriers" and had the purpose of renovating the remaining class-rooms into life-skill development rooms. This was a large under-taking due to the remaining rooms were completely stripped of anything with any value. All of the wiring and wood had been stripped from the walls when the building sat abandoned for several years. Well now is the time to finish off the renovation!

The donors who have made the Breaking through Barriers campaign a reality need to be recognized for their generous hearts! Thanks to each of you for your support of this project.

While the majority of the renovations will take place during the summer, when ACF mission teams visit the Point of Hope, a few things are being done now. The third floor bathroom will be completed in April and the door frames and other small construction projects will also be done prior to the teams arriving.

The end results will be magnificent! The 125 children we serve on a daily basis will have access to a preschool play area for those times when playing outside are not conducive, a wood-working classroom, and sewing/fabrics classroom, and a cooking classroom. These 4 new rooms along with a new restroom will give our children a chance to develop some valuable life-skills needed to survive in their environments.

During the last week in March the older kids who will benefit from the Breaking through Barriers campaign were taken up to the third floor where an announcement of the renovation plans was made to them. You could sense their excitement! However, the impact these rooms will have on the kids will not set in until they see the finished project and get to actually develop their life-skills in these rooms.

ACF is so very thankful to ALL of our supporters for their commitment to these children. The Breaking through Barriers campaign had 2 goals. First, was to raise the $43,000 needed to complete the renovations. The second goal is to raise an additional $17,000 for the ongoing costs of the program for 2 years. We have successfully raised the first $43,000 and are now working on the $17,000. If you feel called to support the completion on this project you can click on the link below to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Child Profile of the Week!

Meet Darius from the Point of Hope!

This week we are proud and excited to introduce you to Darius Vasiu. Most children who attend the Point of Hope Development Center live in Soviet era apartment buildings that have been condemned. They lack sufficient heating, electricity, and running water. There is a single water pump in the community where the people must go to get water for cooking and cleaning. Job opportunities are very rare due to factory closures in the area, which makes it difficult for most families to put food on the table and buy clothes for their children. Some families have parents who are working in other cities to send money home and others have medical issues that make it nearly impossible to work.  If you would like to become an answered prayer for Darius you can click on the link at the bottom of this page to become his sponsor. If you want some additional information on the ACF Sponsorship program CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER A CHILD'S DEEPEST PRAYER!

DREAM!

Another Child Foundation has the mission of reaching, teaching, and transforming the lives of people God puts into our ministry's path. Much of the time this happens while we serve in Romania with the kids and families we serve. Transformation also happens during the mission trip experience. ACF uses the mission trip experience as a catalyst for a person to have a deeper relationship with Christ. However, at times we see opportunities to effectively change a persons view of the world in a different way.

At the beginning of this month ACF was able to bring onto our staff a wonderful young lady who has a deep passion for Jesus as well as a determination to leave her finger-prints all over the world. I hope you enjoy reading the first of many posts from Alicia Carter!

I've been very aware lately of so many of my friends and family discovering "what they want to be when they grow up" while in their 40s and 50s. I feel so deeply honored, grateful, and ecstatic to be chosen to be the voice of hurting children and live my DREAM at such a young age! I am beyond thrilled to meet all of the precious children and all others blessed by the Point of Hope in Romania. I also anticipate my trip so I can get back to the U.S. with even GREATER passion and knowledge to be the voice of the children God has entrusted to us. For a season of my life, I was afraid to dream because so many of my dreams had not yet come to fruition. But God has reminded me that our faith and hope in Him are never misplaced! He is always working behind the scenes of our life and working "everything for the good for them that love God and are called according to His purposes." I pray this hope God offers will continue to fill the hearts of our Roma friends, and they TOO will live out the dreams God has placed in their hearts! -Alicia

ACF's Child of the Week!

Meet Claudiu from the Point of Hope!

This week we are proud and excited to introduce you to Claudiu Otvos. Claudiu was not even 3 years-old when he started at the pre-school at the Point of Hope Development Center. Claudiu continues to progress through the school year in a positive fashion. When asked what his favorite person in the Bible was he said Jesus. His main prayer request is to be healthy and well, so if you could please keep this request in your payers I am sure he would appreciate it.. If you would like to become an answered prayer for Claudiu you can click on the link at the bottom of this page to become his sponsor. If you want some additional information on the ACF Sponsorship program CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER A CHILD'S DEEPEST PRAYER!

ACF's Child of the Week!

Meet Daniela from the Point of Hope!

This week we are proud and excited to introduce you to Daniela Bakos. When Daniela first arrived at the Point of Hope Center in September of 2015 she was a very shy and scared little girl. However, after just a few months we have seen her transform into a bold and sometimes stubborn little girl. We see these new characteristics as good things. When you see where these children come from and the conditions they have to endure each and every day we enjoy seeing them become the child God created them to be. The staff feels blessed to be able to help transform Daniela into a beautiful young girl and eventually into a faithful disciple of Christ who will have the ability to change her destiny and her future family. If you would like to become an answered prayer for Daniela you can click on the link at the bottom of this page to become her sponsor. If you want some additional information on the ACF Sponsorship program CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER A CHILD'S DEEPEST PRAYER!

Another Child Hires Ministry Development Managers in the Quad Cities

Another Child Foundation is excited to announce the addition of two new staff members. Joan Baril and Alicia Carter have been hired as our Ministry Development Managers for the Quad Cities region. The Quad Cities are located on the Illinois and Iowa border separated by the Mississippi River. The Quad City region has a population of nearly 400,000 people. The addition of Joan and Alicia will give Another Child the ability to reach, teach and transform more lives of the children and families God has entrusted to our care.

Joan Baril

I was born and raised in East Moline, Illinois.  A life long Lutheran, I have been a member at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa since shortly after my husband and I married over 20 years ago.  I served as a confirmation sponsor for four years, have served on multiple search committees, and am currently a member of congregational council.  I co-chaired the capital campaign to raise funds for the new multi-million dollar sanctuary.

My husband, Stephen, and I adopted our children internationally as infants.  Now 16 and 18, I am deeply grateful for their presence in my life and keenly aware of how different their lives may have been had they remained institutionalized or without a family foundation.  Since the adoptions, I have known the time would come for me to give back to children in need.  I believe working with Another Child Foundation will provide the right match of my experience and commitment to the cause of improving the lives of children at risk.

Alicia Carter

My name is Alicia Carter, and I’m honored to be one of the new Mission Development Managers.  I was born in New Mexico and grew up in the small town of New Windsor, Illinois where I still live with my husband Bobby, 8 year old son Emery, and 9 year old step son Anthony.  I have one sister and a very large extended family.  We have always been very family oriented.  I spend my free time playing with my sons, cheering on the Chicago Bears and Cubs, reading, and enjoying family game night with my sister and cousins. 

I attend Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, where I have been a part of various short

term mission trips that have taken me across the U.S!  I was raised in a strong Christian home where I learned that we are called to serve and live as the hands and feet of Jesus.  I have volunteered in Calvary’s children’s ministries for over 15 years.  Children have always been a huge passion of mine.  Orphans and hurting children have been very heavy on my heart for many years, so becoming part of the Another Child Foundation goes right along with the passion that God has placed within my heart.  I am very grateful for this opportunity and for what God will do in and through Another Child in the days and years to come! 

The Ministry Development Manager's primary responsibilities will be to be the Voice of those children we serve in Romania by building long-term partnerships with individuals, churches and other civic groups. Once again, Another Child Foundation is honored to have these two bright and passionate ladies to our staff.  If you would like to congratulate Joan and/or Alicia you can contact them at joan@anotherchild.org or alicia@anotherchild.org

Meet Rebeca from the Point of Hope!

This week we are proud and excited to introduce you to Rebeca Dreghici. Rebeca is in the second year of pre-school at the Point of Hope Development Center. Rebeca is 4 years old. Rebeca continues to progress through the school year in a positive fashion. When asked what her favorite person in the Bible was she said Jesus. Her main prayer request is to grow up healthy and pretty (awe!), so if you could please keep this in your prayers I am sure she would appreciate it. If you would like to become an answered prayer for Rebeca you can click on the link at the bottom of this page to become her sponsor. If you want some additional information on the ACF Sponsorship program click here.

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER A CHILD'S DEEPEST PRAYER!

Child Profile of the Week

This week we are proud and excited to introduce you to Alexandru Ionas. Alexandru is in the first year of pre-school at the Point of Hope Development Center. Alexandru will not turn four until July of this year. Alexandru continues to progress through the school year in a positive fashion. When asked what his favorite person in the Bible was he said Jesus. However, he still continues to struggle with some health issues due to the cold season, so if you could please keep this struggle for him in your payers I am sure he would appreciate it. If you would like to become an answered prayer for Alexandru you can click on the link at the bottom of this page to become his sponsor. If you want some additional information on the ACF Sponsorship program click here.

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER A CHILD'S DEEPEST PRAYER!

The First Shoes of 2016 have been Collected! Thanks Erie E-Free Church!!

Erie Evangelical Free Church in Erie, Illinois has collected the first pairs of shoes for the 2016 Project Respond Humanitarian Aid Drive for Another Child Foundation (ACF). ACF provides humanitarian aid to our Romanian partner Fundatia Buckner to improve the living conditions and well-being of the families and children we assist. Through these aid drives we demonstrate the love that God has put onto our hearts to transform the hearts of those less fortunate.

Here is part of a post from Erie E-Free's Facebook page.

We had a great time Friday night at Erie Evangelical Free Church for our Soup for the Sole event! Hard to beat a potluck Soup dinner, family game night, and 75 pairs of shoes toward our annual shoe drive for Another Child Foundation. Special thanks to the EEFC Missions Committee for putting this event together.



This year ACF will be collecting new pairs of shoes and socks for children ages 3 to 14. Athletic shoes are the most versatile shoe a person can donate. We will also be collecting financial support for 250 school supply kits for the 125 children attending the Point of Hope Development Center in Tarneveni, Romania. The kits cost $15 each and include all of the school supplies a child will need for the 2016/17 school year. If you would like to support the school kit part of our drive you can click on the link below to make a donation towards the purchase of kits. 

CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE A SCHOOL KIT FOR A CHILD

Last year ACF had 32 churches collect over 7000 pairs of shoes and winter boots. Along with 175 school kits. 

      

New Volunteers in Romania!

Maria, Bianca and Madalina are three girls from the Roma community who a while back have 

voluntarily expressed a desire to come help at Point of Hope. They are currently students at the Constantin Brancusi Trade School from Tarnaveni, and after classes they come to Point of Hope to help the After School kids with their homework.  It is amazing to see these young ladies sit with the children, patiently listening to them read and showing them how to spell correctly.  They also enjoy playing with the kids. When asked what motivates them to come volunteer at Point of Hope they said that they feel useful doing it.  And they also confessed that helping these children reminds them of the fact that when they were their age, nobody helped them with their homework and they didn’t have a nice, clean and warm place to come to every day. They love the way they are being treated at Point of Hope and the attention they receive from the staff.

The testimony of these three girls touches our hearts and shows us that the community has been impacted over the years in ways we didn’t know and our ministry touched lives we didn’t know we were touching. As young people are rising up and are showing willingness to get involved and help their own, we feel that the community is in fact changing. Should we only exist in the community for the single purpose to give these girls the opportunity and a structure through which they can give back to their own community, it is still worth being there; but we are greatly encouraged that God is in fact using us to truly bring Hope and Light into the lives of the people of Tarnaveni: children, teen-agers, youth and adults.

Child Profile of the Week!

We are starting a new post each week which will feature one of our children at the Point of Hope Development Center who has been receiving personalized attention by the dedicated staff. This week we are focusing on Ioana Todor. Ioana was enrolled into our program this past fall (September 2015). What a blessing this little girl has been to the program. She is only three years and brings with her lots of smiles.

If you would like to be a sponsor for Ioana, I am sure she would be thrilled to know there is someone in the world who will pray for her well-being on a regular basis. Your support will provide Ioana with the educational materials she needs as well as high-quality medical attention, warm meals, showers and clothes.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORING A CHILD

Sowing Seeds for Growing Needs

Another Child Foundation and Fundatia Buckner Romania are delighted to launch a new project, “MOTIVATION and PERFORMANCE,” to provide mentoring and scholarships for career training to high school graduates.  The program begins by setting up scholarships for 20 students this first year, providing funds to help pay for tuition, transportation, and housing.  In cooperation with the Education Ministry and CPS, Fundatia Buckner is working right now to compile a group of 25 to 30 children, and through interviews and a screening process, a committee will select 20 students to receive scholarships.

Dacian Moldovan, Director of Fundatia Buckner Romania explains that Romanian youth “have a lot of potential, but they often cannot achieve it due to lack of transportation, money for tuition, etc.”  The MOTIVATION and PERFORMANCE program addresses these needs by mentoring students throughout their training and also helping them financially.  The goal is to sow seeds that will help children continue to grow in their education and challenge them to build character and become leaders who will use their success to encourage other students to do the same.  As ACF Board Secretary Tina Anderson points out, MOTIVATION and PERFORMANCE “is a perfect way to capture the encouraging message of hope and a future for these kids.”

This program is just the next step in Another Child Foundation's quest to solve the social issues that confront our world and more specifically the world of the abandoned children in the world. Our goal of reaching, teaching and transforming God's world is really happening. You want to join us in making a difference? Click the link below to be part of this life-changing ministry.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!