International Children's Care, Inc.

International Children's Care (ICC) specializes in care for orphan children. Initially, that may take the form of emergency care for children who are placed in protective custody within an ICC supported facility. If it is determined that the best interest of the child is to remain in the facility going forward, then ICC's model of care for the child is based upon providing holistic care for the child - until they are able to successfully provide care for themselves. This is a huge task - to take on the total care of an orphan child until they can care for themselves successfully. But it is one that ICC and its supporters are passionate about. Many organizations provide temporary or partial care for a child or group of children. ICC provides total care for the child. It is specialized care because of the special needs of orphan children.

ICC provides care for orphans within a children's village model. At the heart of this model is the children's home. Local house parents are screened, hired and trained to provide the direct, nurturing care that the children so much deserve and need. Joining the house parents is an "aunt" who helps provide additional adult supervision and assistance. The children's villages typically have 10-12 homes on the campus and residing in each home are 10-12 children. This loving, natural home environment provides all the essential ingredients to help a child grow to physical, emotional, mental and social maturity. In addition to the children's homes, ICC develops and operates a primary school, and in some cases, also a secondary school. Sometimes an orphan child has not been to school or has fallen behind in his/her class work. The special needs of the children are carefully considered within these schools. The campus also has gardens and industries where children are taught age-appropriate skills. A chapel is also a part of the program, and this helps provide social and spiritual growth opportunities for the children.

Since 1978, ICC has implemented and continues to refine its model of care for orphan children. This is one way that ICC continues to enhance its capabilities to accomplish its mission. The cultural context is considered when determining how the model is implemented. However, all children the world over need love and nurturing care and a positive sense of well- being. In this environment that ICC provides for children, they are more likely to grow to maturity and live successfully on their own and become a contributing member of the society in which they live. Another way that ICC maximizes it capabilities to accomplish its mission is to involve supporters and donors in this mission. ICC operates a child sponsorship program which helps provide for the financial resources needed to operate the children's villages. It also helps enhance the well-being of the children. They know that others, outside their immediate village, are concerned for them and are helping to support them financially and emotionally. ICC works closely with local and national government entities to ensure that each children's village is operated according to government regulations. These positive relationships also help ICC maintain its capabilities to provide care for children long-term.

For the past 45 years, ICC has provided and been the home and family for thousands of orphan and abandoned children. In many cases, the children were saved from starvation and death because of ICC's intervention. These children are now living examples of the care that ICC has provided. From its early beginning in 1978 in the country of Guatemala, ICC and its faithful supporters have expanded the scope of serving orphan children into other countries in Latin America as well as Europe, Africa, and Asia. ICC currently has the capacity within its existing facilities to help care for even more children. ICC actively seeks support and assistance from other like-minded individuals who have an interest in providing care for orphan children. Expanded support will enable ICC to help more children who need the specialized care that ICC can provide.