From Sponsorship to Together

Introducing kids to Jesus and helping them come to know Him is in Lifeline’s DNA. Over the years, sponsorship has been your way to be part of that. God has worked mightily! Lives have been changed! But God has brought an awareness that we can’t ignore...

With years of experience serving on the ground, our field staff see the impact of sponsorship lived out every day. They see the good, but also live with the inadvertent consequences.

Our field leaders expressed that our current model of sponsorship, although well intended, is resulting in some unintended difficulties. Despite our best efforts, our sponsorship model has...

given the impression that Jesus only loves children who are sponsored.
created jealousy and fights among the children, especially in regards to gifts.
often made family units feel separated, instead of empowered and involved.
posed safety issues for staff and children when coming and going from gift/money distribution.

Here’s what our field leaders wanted to share with you:

We realize that this is not what you expected to hear. Please know that good HAS come from the sponsorship program. Yet, the negative consequences overshadow the positives. This has moved us to action!

Through collaboration with our field leaders and evaluation of our programs, a new program has emerged.

This new partnership is called “Together”! We are standing Together - side-by-side - with children, family units, and leaders in the communities where we serve!

Check out what the field staff have to say about this new program…

Together builds up! It supports families, fosters equality among children, and resolves safety issues. The notable highlights...

	Together focuses on a group of children, rather than the individual child! No longer will children be labeled as “sponsored” or “unsponsored.” Instead of a one-to-one relationship, you will partner with a group of children in our schools, churches, or nutrition program. Thus, individual child sponsorship is phasing out in June 2020. However, your journey with the child you sponsor will not end. As a valued sponsor, you have the privilege of following the group of the child you sponsor. Now EVERY child has a group of people praying over them! EVERY child can more clearly understand how their identity is rooted in Jesus!
	Together creates equality for kids: EVERY child receives a gift! Individual gifts were intended to be a simple expression of Jesus’ love. Unfortunately, our sponsor gift system created competition in who does/doesn’t receive a gift. It also created jealousy and fights because some children received much, while others received little or nothing. Thus, gifts to individual children will no longer be offered as an option after June 2020. BUT the joy of giving gifts still continues... Now EVERY child will receive the SAME gift! Your help is needed to pack gifts, following a specific gift list created by our field leaders. And then our field staff will distribute them to children. You’ll still see pictures of groups of children enjoying their gifts!
	Together empowers field staff to lead in their community. There are students and families that need additional, short-term assistance. In the past, our field staff have had limited resources to meet those needs. Now, all cash gifts will go toward a community benevolent fund, not an individual child. This fund enables our field staff to discreetly assist students and families with short-term needs and provide tuition assistance to students and families struggling to afford the basics for school.

Together focuses on a group of children, rather than the individual child!

No longer will children be labeled as “sponsored” or “unsponsored.” Instead of a one-to-one relationship, you will partner with a group of children in our schools, churches, or nutrition program. Thus, individual child sponsorship is phasing out in June 2020. However, your journey with the child you sponsor will not end. As a valued sponsor, you have the privilege of following the group of the child you sponsor.

Now EVERY child has a group of people praying over them! EVERY child can more clearly understand how their identity is rooted in Jesus!

Together creates equality for kids: EVERY child receives a gift!

Individual gifts were intended to be a simple expression of Jesus’ love. Unfortunately, our sponsor gift system created competition in who does/doesn’t receive a gift. It also created jealousy and fights because some children received much, while others received little or nothing. Thus, gifts to individual children will no longer be offered as an option after June 2020. BUT the joy of giving gifts still continues...

Now EVERY child will receive the SAME gift! Your help is needed to pack gifts, following a specific gift list created by our field leaders. And then our field staff will distribute them to children. You’ll still see pictures of groups of children enjoying their gifts!

Together empowers field staff to lead in their community.

There are students and families that need additional, short-term assistance. In the past, our field staff have had limited resources to meet those needs.

Now, all cash gifts will go toward a community benevolent fund, not an individual child. This fund enables our field staff to discreetly assist students and families with short-term needs and provide tuition assistance to students and families struggling to afford the basics for school.

Through this transition, Together widens the ability to love more kids! Barriers are being removed so that children can more clearly and authentically see Jesus!

At the end of the day, Jesus continues to be the center of this program and the motivation behind Together. Our prayer is that ALL children know they are valued and loved by Jesus as we walk side-by-side with them...together!

The way we have done "sponsorship" ended June 2020, and starting July 2020, we have officially launch Together!

You and your church can follow God's lead and make an impact! Partner today! >>

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From Sponsorship to Together