Bethany Christian Services Shows Significant Growth in Family Strengthening Programs in 2021
April 21, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Bethany Christian Services today announced that 226,095 lives were impacted by the organization’s work worldwide in 2021.
In response to the global refugee crisis in 2021, Bethany saw an 84% increase in clients served through its refugee and immigrant services, impacting 30,752 lives. Bethany’s Refugee and Immigrant Services include foster care for refugee and immigrant children, assistance for victims of trafficking, refugee resettlement, and wraparound support services for asylum-seeking families.
“Bethany remains committed to serving vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world,” said Chris Palusky, President and CEO of Bethany. “The call to love overlooked and underserved children and families has never been more urgent. Bethany will continue changing the world by strengthening families and helping children find the support, security, and care that they deserve.”
Furthermore, Bethany’s international programs impacted 31% more lives, reaching 91,601 men, women, and children in 2021. In several countries around the world, Bethany helps vulnerable children and families through programs including family preservation and empowerment, foster care, adoption, and mental health care for people who have experienced unfathomable trauma. By partnering with local churches and government agencies, Bethany works to develop family-based care services to support at-risk children and families that have been affected by poverty, sickness, violence, and other crises around the world.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen record numbers of people fleeing their homes to save their lives,” said Tawnya Brown, Senior Vice President of Global, Refugee, and Immigrant Services. “To match this unprecedented need, Bethany partnered with local volunteers, churches, and communities in three countries. At Bethany, we not only want to help refugees acclimate to their new homes, but also empower them to find restoration and thrive.”
In 2021, Bethany impacted 103,742 children and families in the U.S. alone by strengthening vulnerable families and helping keep them safely together. Bethany’s domestic family preservation services saw a 4% growth in 2021, with a notable expansion in evidence-based programs across multiple states. Additionally, Bethany’s Youth and Young Adult Services experienced a 52% increase in clients served.
“At Bethany, we firmly believe families should remain together whenever possible. The power of family is unmatched, as only a family setting can best support a child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs,” said Cheri Williams, Senior Vice President of Domestic Programs. “That’s why expanding programs to help strengthen families and walk alongside those in crisis directly reflects our mission to demonstrate the true love and compassion of Jesus.”
To learn more about Bethany’s work, visit Bethany.org.
About Bethany Christian Services Bethany Christian Services 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 around the world, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives every year.
