- What specific benefits will the youth I sponsor receive?
- Will I be the only person sponsoring the youth I'm helping?
- If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the youth I'm helping?
- How long will my sponsorship commitment last?
- How do I communicate with the youth I sponsor?
- Will my young person write to me?
- How important is prayer in HHMI sponsorship?
- What other opportunities will I have to learn about the youth I'm helping?
- May I send gifts to my sponsored youth?
- How does HHMI ensure that my support actually benefits the young person I sponsor?
- Can I see a copy of HHMI's most recent audited financial statement?
- Are my contributions to HHMI, including my sponsorship support and gifts, tax-deductible?
1. What specific benefits will the youth I sponsor receive?
The youth you sponsor through HHMI will receive opportunities and services that most of the young people in the orphanage system in Romania will never be provided. These opportunities and services include the following:
- The opportunity to receive additional education.
In some cases, it means providing tutoring support for help with homework, and encouragement. Your HHMI sponsorship will allow one special youth to stay in school longer if formal schooling is an option and, get the most out of his or her education. - The opportunity to be healthy.
The health of the young person you sponsor is monitored and care is provided as needed. The young people are taught about hygiene and how to maintain personal health according to their needs. - The opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills.
The young man or woman you support is part of a spiritually based program where Christian adults offer love, guidance, personal attention, guided recreation, and safety. - The opportunity to hear the Gospel and learn about Jesus.
Most importantly, your HHMI sponsorship provides the young person you sponsor with regular Bible education and encouragement through a local church committed to Christ and the children in its community
2. Will I be the only person sponsoring the child I am helping?
No. The child you're helping may have more than one sponsor. Because it requires $175.00 each month to provide care for each child, it can often be out of reach for one person. This format offers an opportunity for many people to minister to the needs of these precious children through financial support. Once a full sponsorship of one child is achieved, future sponsors will be directed to children still in need of support.
3. If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the youth I'm helping?
If you need to discontinue your support, please notify HHMI and we will immediately look for a new sponsor for your young person and continue their support without interruption.
4. How long will my sponsorship commitment last?
HHMI sponsorship offers you the opportunity to support a young woman at the Home of Hope transition home for young women for a defined timeframe, usually through any remaining the school years or when they have completed the program at the transition home. While we hope you will be able to continue in your support until she completes the HHMI program, we recognize that sponsors' circumstances sometimes change. You may discontinue your sponsorship at any time.
5. How do I communicate with the youth I sponsor?
We encourage you to send your sponsored youth a personal or family photograph and a short letter of introduction. HHMI's field staff will translate your letter and deliver it to the young woman you support. Sponsored youth typically keep their sponsors' photos and letters in their possession as treasured mementos. You may write to the youth you sponsor as often as you wish. When you write, your sponsored youth will benefit from the knowledge someone really cares about her well-being. Your words of encouragement will make a significant difference to this deserving young person.
6. Will my young person write to me?
Your sponsored youth will write to you at least two times each year with the assistance of local staff if they do not write in English. Letter writing is developmental for youth as it improves their basic literacy, their self-awareness, and their ability to put thoughts and feelings into words. As your exchange of letters with the young person you sponsor grows over the years, you can build a scrapbook of letters and photos. Your scrapbook will serve as a constant reminder of the relationship you've developed with the young man or woman you're helping and of how you've contributed to his or her growth.
7. How important is prayer in HHMI sponsorship?
Prayer is a critical link between HHMI sponsors and the children they help. Your sponsored youth is in need and vulnerable. Your prayers for the health, safety, education, and spiritual development of your youth are critical. Sponsored youth are greatly encouraged when they hear that their sponsors are praying for them.
8. What other opportunities will I have to learn about the youth I'm helping?
In addition to letters from your sponsored youth, HHMI will send you periodic updates about your young person's progress, a monthly newsletter about HHMI's work in Romania, and annual sponsorship newsletter. You'll have a better understanding of your sponsored youth's culture and life.
9. May I send gifts to my sponsored youth?
Yes. Twice each year, in the fall and spring, HHMI will inform sponsors of specific and practical items that can be sent to their sponsored youth. While not a requirement of sponsorship, these identified gifts are simply another opportunity by which to minister to your youth. HHMI encourages sponsors to give additional monetary gifts to their sponsored young people for special occasions or to address a specific need only. We respectfully request that sponsors keep these monetary gifts between $10 and $20, limiting monetary gifts to twice per year or as needed. One hundred percent of all individual youth gift amounts go to the your sponsored youth. Local project workers assist them in purchasing gifts on behalf of our sponsors and make certain these funds are used appropriately. Additionally, if you desire to support your sponsored youth upon their departure from one of HHMI's care facilities with a one time gift, we will identify the specific need and inform you directly of that need.
10. How does HHMI ensure that my support actually benefits the young person I sponsor?
HHMI works with local staff who, are personally acquainted with each sponsored youth and his or her unique needs. Monthly sponsorship support for all of the youth is combined and managed to provide a wide range of developmental activities, it covers living expenses and provides many additional educational opportunities. HHMI conducts audits regularly to make sure funds are properly received, tracked, and managed.
11. Can I see a copy of HHMI's most recent audited financial statement?
HHMI is completely committed to earning and keeping your trust. HHMI's Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax return as filed with the Internal Revenue Service is published in it's entirety and made available for review at www.guidestar.org. Accountability is a commitment and a value throughout the organization.
If you have any questions about financial issues, please call us at (503) 645-0254. Our HHMI Sponsorship Coordinator will gladly respond to your questions.
12. Are my contributions to HHMI, including my sponsorship support and gifts, tax-deductible?
Yes. All contributions to HHMI are tax-deductible in the United States. As a requirement of the 1993 Revenue Reconciliation Act, we verify that no goods or services of value are given to you for your contribution.