A message from Ben Williams, President / CEO

 

What you notice about this boy is he makes himself small. He doesn’t take up space or call for attention. What they tell you about him explains why – and it’s hard to hear. Especially in this season of joy.

But friend – I need you to read through.

Kevin is his name.

He used to live in motels or short rentals with his two siblings. Their mother would leave them with nothing to eat for long stretches of the day or evening. Hours would tick by, and when they got hungry enough, he’d go out and knock on doors to ask for food.

The younger ones would get the first helping of whatever he found.

He remembers all of this – the hunger, the begging, the cold food, the waiting. He remembers the last beating he got when his mother found out he’d asked strangers for food.

This was all Kevin knew at 5 years old. And it’s why we ask for help.

Because at Kevin’s age the only thing you can do is trust the grown-ups. And he did.

He trusted when they took him from his mother – and they put him in a stranger’s home. This time, a foster home. For the first time in his life, he knew when he’d eat and where he’d sleep. He was safe.

The grown-ups in his new home used the word adoption with him, and after a year, that was the plan.

He trusted he was loved – until his ears caught something he wasn’t meant to hear.

 

“I want him out of this house.”

Seven words, overheard – and Kevin’s world was upended. Trust was betrayed. Love was withdrawn. And frankly I don’t know how anyone could feel more alone in that moment. Or more unlovable.

It tore a hole in Kevin that’s hard to fill.

And that is why we must exist. It’s our specialty – filling children and loving them. It’s where our work begins. It’s where you come in.

You are essential – critical – to what happens next.
Your gift restores trust and hope.
We can’t do this without you.

Poverty, neglect, abuse – loss upon loss. It’s all stolen so much from Kevin’s childhood.

And my heart hurts to think of him, especially in this season as I look forward to spending holidays with my loved ones. But I also know this: God calls on us to do more than hurt. We must respond.

So I share this story with you and I ask: Will you help?

Will you commit Kevin’s story to your own heart and respond with a gift?

A gift that restores trust. A gift that embodies this season of hope.

What a powerful gift that will be.

With deep gratitude –
Rev. Ben Williams, President / CEO