We aways say sponsorship and college scholarship are a “Hand Up” to a better and brighter future or a “Helping Hand.” These are not just taglines or slogans, but they are important tenants of our mission and all the work we do. Giving a Hand Up to a better future means we are empowering people to be able to make a difference in their own life through financial partnership and access to education.

Financial partnership does not exist to create dependence or be a handout, but instead, it allows beneficiaries to be involved in the process through service and community building. This builds confidence, creates opportunities for skill building, and generates buy-in from beneficiaries to know they are empowered to make changes in their lives. LCW support is a Hand Up because we take the partnership aspect incredibly seriously.

Access to education is critical because once a student finishes high school or their college degree, they are much more equipped to earn a better income to support themselves and their families in the future. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Once an individual becomes educated, they are more likely to encourage education for the younger generations.

Sponsorship and college scholarship involve participation from the donor and the beneficiary. Sponsors agree to provide financial support, and beneficiaries agree to give back through Service With A Purpose, community participation, and maintaining good grades. These commitments are critical for our program to be effective and to create lasting change. We take them so seriously, in fact, that failure to comply results in dismissal from the program.  

Service With A Purpose (SWAP) is a 15-hour community service requirement that each sponsored family commits to when they are accepted for sponsorship. This gives beneficiaries an opportunity to serve their community, learn new skills, and feel involved in full benefits of sponsorship. Service can be given in a variety of contexts like cleaning common areas, tutoring a neighbor, or whatever way they want to serve. Community participation is accomplished through activities like attending community meetings, Sunday worship and Sunday school, Bible studies, and other activities that contribute to our mission of building caring communities. Maintaining good grades is required because we want students to do well so they will be able to graduate one day.

We want to empower as many children and families as possible, but we do everything we can to hold all parties accountable for their participation in sponsorship and college scholarship. It is our blessing to give these families an opportunity to break away from the struggles of poverty and the challenges that come with it. Thank you for being Sponsors and College Donors and for giving a Hand Up to a better future to someone in need. You can know your sponsored family is invested and is also doing their part!