Children's HopeChest was founded in 1994 to provide practical help and God's hope to orphans of the world. Although many fine organizations work in orphanages, our focus is on the needs of those children who will never be adopted. HopeChest's goal, then, is to assist orphans and orphanage graduates in ways that will help them successfully transition into independent living in their own cultures. We believe that in God's economy, future leaders in business, ministry, law, education, medicine, and the arts will be orphanage graduates!

HopeChest began ministry in the Vladimir region of Russia. We have expanded to the Kostroma and Ivanovo regions within Russia, and are ministering in the Transylvanian region of Romania.

HopeChest's pattern of providing both resources and relationships for orphans has been a reality from our beginning. HopeChest founder George Steiner's experience in working with eastern bloc government officials for Bible distribution during his tenure with International Bible Society has translated well in efforts to relieve the plight of orphans in Russia. The procurement and distribution of relief supplies - food, clothing, shoes, and medicines - quickly became a core competency of HopeChest. We also immediately emphasized a human element in our outreach. Within our first year, we conducted our first summer camp for orphans. These camps, 15 this year, led by American volunteers, provide a healthy alternative environment for the children. They also encourage the development of relationships, nurtured by correspondence, between orphans and American volunteers.

Steiner's experience and understanding of Russian government gave HopeChest a "fast track" into relationships with the Ministries of Education and Social Services, which oversee the work of the orphanages. Today, officials from these ministries not only introduce, but indeed validate the ministry of HopeChest to orphanage directors.

HopeChest's ministry is marked by a number of programs designed specifically for orphanage and post-orphanage care. We have established ties with 12 American churches that enhance the physical, emotional and spiritual development of their sponsored orphanages. Three dental clinics have been established to improve the health of the orphans. For orphanage graduates we have opened six transitional homes for 31 young adults where they are mentored by Christian parents as they leave their orphanage and prepare for life in the working world.

Throughout, HopeChest has made a call for volunteers to help with the on-site outreach. People have responded not only for the work, but also to continue meaningful relationships through correspondence with one or more of the children they meet at the orphanages. During our first year of operations in 1995, 42 volunteers traveled at their own expense to reach out to the children in Russia. In 2001 more than 450 volunteers will participate in numerous programs in Russia and Romania. It is clear that relationship building is another core competency of HopeChest.

HopeChest has sound relationships with some 71 orphanages or technical schools (the latter serving orphaned adolescents) representing over 5,700 orphans. We plan to reach many more kids deserving to know God's love for them through targeted investment in this proven model of ministry.

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