Bethany Christian Services Sees Significant Growth in Programs that Keep Families Together In 2020
May 03, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Bethany Christian Services today released their 2020 annual report showing that 191,641 lives around the world were impacted by the organization’s work. Despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020 leaving children and families increasingly isolated, Bethany was able to impact the lives of 114,836 vulnerable children in the United States alone.
“Bethany remained steadfast in our commitment to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus by walking alongside children and families who may have been overlooked and marginalized in 2020,” said Chris Palusky, President and CEO of Bethany. “An estimated 140 million children around the globe live every day without permanent and safe homes, and the pandemic has underscored the urgent need to offer supports to as many of them as possible. Bethany will continue changing the world through family, helping children find safety, love, and connection.”
Bethany’s family preservation and strengthening programs experienced record growth during 2020. Compared to 2019, Global Family Preservation and Empowerment programs impacted 27.9% more lives, Family Preservation in the U.S. (including Safe Families for Children) grew by 17.5%, Foster Care Supports and Training in the U.S. saw a 44.2% increase, and Post-Placement Support for U.S. Adoptive Families Permanency Supports grew by 27.9%. Safe Families for Children, a program designed to provide a compassionate and caring community for families and children in need of supportive environments, served a record 5,725 children and families.
“These numbers represent people, made and loved by God. Not one of us was untouched by the unique challenges of 2020, and we are deeply grateful to our staff for rolling up their sleeves and remaining creatively present with vulnerable children and families.” said Cheri Williams, Senior Vice President of Domestic Programs. “Bethany’s significant growth in programs that strengthen, preserve, and empower families in the U.S. and around the world is reflective of our commitment to keep families together.”
Globally, Bethany impacted 64,408 lives over the last year along with 12,397 refugees, asylum-seekers, unaccompanied children, and other displaced people in the U.S. The organization works with churches, communities, and governments in countries across five continents to provide best practices for successful child and family welfare services. These services include family support and family-based care for vulnerable children who were unable to remain with their birth families.
“This last year presented the children, women, and men we serve with unforeseen difficulties,” said Tawnya Brown, Senior Vice President of Global, Refugee, and Immigrant Services. “Through it all, Bethany was able to continue fulfilling its mission of demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus. Our top priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of those God has called us to serve, and we will continue approaching every situation with active faith.”
Bethany Christian Services has been supporting children and families for over 75 years, seeking to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting children, strengthening families, and empowering youth through quality social services. Bethany believes that the family is the best place for children to grow, and only a family setting can best support a child’s spiritual, physical, psychological, social, and emotional needs.
To view Bethany’s full report, including impact stories, videos, and additional data, visit the Bethany website.
About Bethany Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. Over 75 years ago, we began our work by serving a single child. Today, we work in more than 30 states and in countries worldwide, impacting hundreds-of-thousands of people every year.
