"We aren't raising orphans, we are raising sons and daughters"
Who We Are: Advocating for Children’s Rights
HHM is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
for children in crisis situations who need a safe refuge, assistance, an intervention, trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, medical help, and someone to advocate for their rights.
HHM believes that children belong in families, and so we work hard at family preservation whenever possible, and after exhausting every effort to keep a child in their biological family or in kinship care, we support adoption, both domestic and international.
What's Our Why
Most people hear figures like there are 143 million “orphans” in the world and assume that being orphaned is the primary reason for children needing alternative care. That’s not actually the case. It’s one of many reasons. Of our 40 children at HHM, only 4 are actually orphaned. The majority were brought to us for temporary care while recovering from illness or while parents worked out their troubled home situations.
But nonetheless, children who are separated from their families, whatever the reason, are “at risk” of many things, including poverty, poor health, lack of education, self-esteem problems, attachment problems, sociocultural problems, violence, and abuse. Behind these risk factors lies a broken welfare system and a lack of child protection services. Poor families especially find themselves turning to orphanages to help alleviate their problems, but in fact, the wider child protection system is what has actually let them down.
Vision and Mission: Empowering Children and Families
Vision
To see children accessing their right to life, right to be part of a family and right to protection from harm when that right is in jeopardy due to illness, abandonment, neglect abuse or poverty. We also envision a system whereby children are enabled to access appropriate healthcare, shelter and education tailored to meet their specific needs.
Mission of the Children's Home
As a Christian Organization, we offer alternative family style residential care and education to children who have come from various crisis situations and trauma backgrounds.
Mission of the Children's Recovery Unit
As a Christian Organization, we offer practical, emotional, spiritual and financial assistance towards children’s recovery from illness both while they are in hospital and upon their release until such times as they can be returned to the full time care of their respective families or into the care of the DSWD in the absence of appropriate family care. We also assist families of the children to network and access services of duly recognized institutions that can specifically help their situation.
Goals
That the children and families we come into contact with would come to know the tender heart of Christ as they see His love in action. We believe that our helping hands will also help to heal broken hearts.
What are the current alternatives?
Children can remain with their families, but their medical needs will not be attended to because of poverty, geographical location, and general lack of understanding about the actual level of medical attention required. The local government (DSWD and CSWDO) often offer help but are limited in what they can do financially and because of distance.
The usual alternative for children’s homes in our current setting would be for children to remain in their dysfunctional families and have outside support offered by DSWD, CSWDO, or other organizations; however, the children’s safety cannot be guaranteed, and in times past, when we have done this at the insistence of the government, children’s lives were lost.
A better proactive alternative would be for more local kinship, foster, and adoptive families to be recruited, trained, and monitored. Ideally we could get kids into alternative family care as quickly as possible. We do work together with DSWD to help recruit families locally, but so far, it's been a slow start.
More programs to strengthen families would also be really helpful.
Ultimately, a better and stronger child protection and child welfare system countrywide would help decrease the need for children to be placed into care
Children's Recovery Unit (CRU)
The Children's Recovery Unit (CRU) provides a crucial refuge for children who are recovering from critical illness or injury, especially for families facing financial hardships. Many families, overwhelmed by poverty, struggle to access essential medical care, leaving their children vulnerable. HHM created CRU to offer temporary housing and ongoing medical support for children discharged from hospitals but still in need of recovery. With the help of a dedicated team, CRU empowers families to fight for their children’s survival, offering everything from medical care to emotional and spiritual support. The unit serves as a safe space for healing, ensuring children get the care they need for long-term recovery.
Tailored Homeschooling for Every Child
We provide individualized, tailored homeschooling under the Homeschool Global program for each school-aged child in our care. Children are taught by qualified teachers and are given the opportunity to catch up on much-needed education even while recovering from illness or trauma. They gain confidence and skills to help disrupt the generational cycles of poverty that have plagued their families for many years. The goal is for a change in the direction of their lives and in the lives of their future children.
Children's Home (CH)
Our goal is to provide a loving, secure home where children of all ages and abilities can find belonging and stability. At Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministries, we prioritize reintegration into their biological families whenever possible. When this isn’t an option, we pursue alternative placements like adoption, foster care, or legal guardianship. For children without a permanent family, our facility becomes their forever home, offering the love and support they deserve. We also prepare older children for independent living, ensuring they always have a place to return to. Currently, we are home to 25 children, and we remain committed to serving those in need.
Reliable Hospital Care Program
We assist families in Baguio General Hospital (BGH) and Benguet General Hospital (BEGH) by offering practical support for their needs while they are confined and after they are discharged if follow-up care is needed. This is part of our family strengthening program. We help provide finances for treatment, life-saving medications, and medical supplies, as well as much counselling, debriefing, emotional support, and care to indigent children who are confined. Generally we aim to help families stay together through their crisis.
What People Are Saying: Client and Partner Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our services? We are here to help! Feel free to reach out.
Where can I find a reliable NGO for child care in the United States?
Helping Hands Ministries serves as a trusted NGO offering comprehensive care for children in crisis across the United States. Our services include providing safe refuge, medical assistance, and psychosocial support. Founded with the heartfelt mission of preserving family connections, we emphasize reunification or adoption when necessary. With a focus on trauma-informed care and dedicated advocacy, we ensure each child's well-being is paramount. Discover how you can support our mission and help transform lives by being a part of our growing community. Reach out to us for more information.
What is trauma-informed care, and why is it important?
Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and recognizes its signs in individuals. It's important because it helps caregivers understand the complexities of what children have experienced, allowing for sensitive and informed interactions. This method fosters an environment where children feel safe and supported, which is crucial for their healing and development. By understanding trauma, caregivers can better assist children on their path to recovery. Interested in learning more? Contact Helping Hands Ministries to see how we incorporate trauma-informed care in our work.
What can be done to support family preservation efforts?
Supporting family preservation efforts involves strategies aimed at maintaining or restoring family connections. This can include providing financial, emotional, and educational support to families in need, alongside counseling and social services. At Helping Hands Ministries, we work tirelessly to support these efforts by facilitating interventions and providing resources to keep families together. Our philosophy is centered on the belief that children thrive best in family settings. Want to aid in our family preservation mission? Volunteer or donate to support our initiatives.
How does adoption impact a child's life?
Adoption can have a profound impact on a child's life by providing a stable and loving home environment. It offers children the opportunity for permanent family connections and a sense of belonging and security. Adoption can transform lives, offering children educational opportunities, emotional support, and the love every child deserves. At Helping Hands Ministries, adoption is a key part of our mission to ensure every child finds a family. Discover adoption stories and consider being part of the journey by reaching out to us.
What is the difference between domestic and international adoption?
Domestic adoption involves placing a child with adoptive parents within the same country, whereas international adoption involves citizens adopting a child from a foreign country. Both processes aim to provide permanent family connections but differ in legal requirements, waiting times, and potential travel obligations. Helping Hands Ministries supports both types of adoption, recognizing that each has unique benefits and challenges. Ready to embark on an adoption journey? Contact us to learn more about how you can change a child's life through adoption.
Get in Touch with Us Today
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