Stories
OWR’s Free Gift to Donors
We're giving all of our beloved donors a special FREE gift this week. We know you're probably just as busy as we are with the school season starting and the holiday not too far off. We wanted to give you one of our favorite organization tools as a thank you for being...
The Harbor Update – Summer Edition
"For the past week or so it has been very hot and humid in St. Pete. Heatwaves here are rare because we are so far north so usually when the temperature gets to 75F everyone is super happy, however, once it gets above that, it gets very unbearable. Most homes have no...
Announcing Our New Executive Director
Announcing OWR's New Executive DirectorOWR family - please welcome our new Executive Director, Kim Foulis! While new to this role, Kim is no stranger to this community - she has actually been working with Orphan World Relief since January when she first joined as...
Is Your Compassion Worn Out?
The world is full of suffering and there are many people who need our help. We are all aware of this, but it is hard to maintain a sense of compassion towards every person in need. This can lead to compassion fatigue, or burnout.
Here’s a few ways to combat this in your life that will change the way you give to yourse
We are all part of the solution
"Behind every adult is a world that one never could have imagined as a child. -Okey Ndibe" The OWR community is a place to speak your pain and find hope, a place for healing and resources to move into a brighter future. We’re here for you, you’re not alone on this...
5 Ways to Support Your Favorite Non-Profit
We all know non-profits have hit some hurdles since the pandemic. In the face of all kinds of uncertainties, many non-profits had to pivot hard to adjust in order to keep meeting the needs of the communities they serve. Especially those groups that are more...
Spring Events with OWR
We are so excited to share with you two ways you can participate in changing the lives of children across the globe with us this spring!
3 Ways to Talk About War with Children
Care Givers & Hard Topics As parents, care givers, grandparents, and mentor communities, we all want the very best for the children we love. But, it can be daunting to approach the subject of conflict between countries and how it may be affecting young minds. At...
Local Church Partner Makes a Difference
One of our church partners rolled up their sleeves and baked up some love. Read more to find out how a local Children’s Ministry pulled together to raise support for our partner program in Ukraine – Jeremiah’s Hope.
Foster to Adult Program Launch
Fostering FuturesThis program has us so excited! We know this is a big need and we're already seeing great things come together for the Foster to Adult Mentorship Program. We're partnering with OSU Fisher College of Business students as well as Co Hatch Columbus in...
Praying for Ukraine
Why Ukraine Matters. Ukraine is the second-largest country by area in Europe by area and has a population of over 40 million - more than Poland.Ukraine Matters Ukraine is the second largest country by area in Europe by area and has a population of over 40 million -...
One Orphan is Too Many – Podcast Episode
Doug got together with his friend Lance from Lancelot's Roundtable Podcast to tell the story behind Orphan World Relief. We've been so excited to share this episode with you. If you're an audio person, click the link to hear about Doug's adoption experiences both as a...
Community is Key
Community is Key Taking steps towards positive change in the life of another can sound like a nice idea, in theory. Still, it's easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. Choosing to look at the ugly underbellies of society with thousands of children living...
Meet Our New Development Manager
Orphan World Relief is pleased to welcome Kim to our staff as Development Manager! Kim is a born and raised Columbus, Ohio native. She’s spent 15 years in the creative arts industry with experience in digital design, music, copywriting, and event coordinating. Kim...
Director of Foster Care Programs
Orphan World Relief is pleased to welcome Mary Jo to our staff heading up our Foster Care programs! Mary Jo has been part of the Children First Family Services program and has recently agreed to become our Director of Foster Services. She'll be working part time for...
Updates from Ukraine
The Rescue Shelter at Jeremiah's Hope has had a busy month as their Rescue Shelter staff have tried to care for several kids with medical needs. First, Yarik was hospitalized twice, once in Ivankiv and a second time for ten days in the Kyiv Regional Children's...
My Comfy Kits September Spotlight!
This sweet girl, her mom and foster sister recently dropped off 4 completed Comfy Kits for middle school aged girls. This is what her mom had to say about why they chose to support My Comfy Kits: "Our family was first made aware of Comfy Kits when our very first...
When We Met the Robinson’s
On July 30th, Orphan World Relief hosted an Outdoor Movie Night for families interested in learning more about adoption! We whole-heartedly believe in the beauty of adoption and encourage all who have the means and desire to pursue it. During this event, we showcased...
My Comfy Kits July Spotlight: The Goubeaux Family!
These sweet girls and their parents recently donated 24 completed Comfy Kits, with extra items as well, to help children going into foster care! We asked their mom, Jenna, to tell us how they got involved with My Comfy Kits, what the kids learned from the experience...
My Comfy Kits: Nationwide Children’s Pharmacy Spotlight
My Comfy Kits is excited to announce that Nationwide Children's Pharmacy is our June Spotlight! The pharmacists and staff at Nationwide Children’s Pharmacy have been huge supporters of My Comfy Kits over the years. Each year (since 2018), Nationwide Children’s...
My Comfy Kits Recognizes Sam Brumbaugh as May Spotlight!
My Comfy Kits is proud to recognize Samantha (Sam) Brumbaugh as its May Spotlight! Samantha (Sam) Brumbaugh has been a key team player for My Comfy Kits since its inception. She has an amazing logistical and organizational mind that has helped us to gather,...
A Christian Twist on Traditional Rap at The Harbor
Rap has been a form of musical expression for decades, taking over as one of the most listened to genres of music. For many families and Christians, rap music can have a negative connotation. But at The Harbor's School of Rap, students are trying to...
Spring is in Full Swing at Jeremiah’s Hope!
Note: this blog post was written by a member of Jeremiah's Hope "RESCUE SHELTER NEWS - Spring has almost arrived. The weather is warmer and our house moms are making sure our Shelter kids get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine that God is giving us here in...
My Comfy Kits Recognizes Jia Radloff as April Spotlight!
Jia Radloff (pictured on the right) was a junior at Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio last January when she wrote to ask if she could host a 5K fundraiser for Orphan World Relief and a donation drive for My Comfy Kits. At the time, Jia was a third-year...
My Comfy Kits: February Spotlight
Our February Spotlight is shining bright on The Read to Succeed Foundation! "The Read to Succeed Foundation was created 7 years ago by Emily Spector. At age 12, Emily had a growing awareness of the world around her and was deeply saddened to hear the number of...
New Year and New Beginnings in Russia
As of January of this year, The Harbor in St. Petersburg welcomed new men and women to its Residential Program! The Harbor, a nonprofit ministry in Russia, aims to help transform the lives of orphans who have been emancipated in the country. One of the ways it does...
Serving on Lesvos with Euro Relief & Refugee Network
Orphan World Relief has had a two year relationship supporting refugee kids on the island of Lesvos in Greece. Our partnership with the Refugee Network and Euro Relief continues.
Currently, Euro Relief is requiring all volunteers to stay a minimum of one month. In the past we had a special arrangement allowing teams to serve for one or two weeks. That is no longer the case. As you can imagine, many of the people that have expressed interest in going back to Lesvos find it difficult to stay that long. Due to this requirement we do not have set times for teams to go. If you are able to go either as an individual or a team, please let us know and we’ll put you in contact with our Refugee Network partners.
Autumn in Russia
At the beginning of the pandemic, things seemed to be going okay for our friends at The Harbor in St. Petersburg, but as time passed, the Russian government has made some changes... Since COVID began, The Harbor hasn't been receiving many grads from orphanages due to...
Hope Runs Deep in Honduras
Hi everyone! It's been awhile since our last blog post, but we're back! The past few weeks I (Cassidy, OWR Development Manager) have been vacationing and moving into my first home with my husband and dog, Willow. I hope you can forgive me for the lack of posts...
News from Russia!
Our friends at St. Petersburg, Russia have been persevering through the pandemic, making sure all children are first priority.From Alex Krutov: "Recently, we found out that orphanages will keep the kids in the city for the month of June. However, for the months of...
Updates from Ukraine and Russia!
We're almost halfway through the year, and looking back at these past 6 months, all I can say is "thank goodness!". 2020 has been rough, really rough. The entire world has been affected by this pandemic that never seems to end. Thankfully, our international...
Updates from OWR International Partner Programs
Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Monday - the weather is definitely brightening my mood today. As you all know, we are in month 2 of the pandemic and quarantine. I've been actively keeping up to date with our international partners and how they are...
Positivity During Uncertainty
Note: Names and locations have been changed for safety purposes. The Harbor in St. Petersburg, Russia recently shared a couple of great news/updates that have happened in the past two months. It's refreshing to see the good when we are constantly bombarded with the...
Update from Orphan World Relief
At Orphan World Relief, we recognize the challenges you're facing. During this current crisis, we support you and pray for you. President, Doug Riggle, recorded a quick video to express our heart-felt love for all of you during this time and hope that we can be as...
Coronavirus & Moira Refugee Camp
Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the world with people hoping for an end to this pandemic that has already killed thousands and threatens to infect more. In the midst of COVID-19, the mission to help refugees on the island of Lesvos, Greece still...
Superhero Run: History & Impact
Nationwide Children's Superhero Run is quickly approaching! As we prepare for the April 26th race, I've asked Orphan World Relief President, Doug Riggle, and Hilliard Davidson High School Assistant Band Director, Luke Schultz, for their thoughts on the race and...
Students Joining the Cause!
Hi everyone! It's Cassidy with the latest update on all things Orphan World Relief! Within the last couple of months, high school students from around Columbus have expressed interest in fundraising for Orphan World Relief. I got to meet up with these kids...
Alana’s Journey at Jeremiah’s Hope
Note: Names have been changed for security purposes Jeremiah's Hope, located in Ukraine, has been an international partner of Orphan World Relief for years. We are honored to come alongside this group in its mission to help orphans and bring hope to children in...