I was eating Chick-Fil-A during my lunch break at work, and was reading the bag in which I received my food. Printed on the back was a short description of the various foundations that were started by Chick-Fil-A’s creator, Truett Cathy. I’ve always known the famous fast-food chain to be a “good” organization, but the WinShape Foundations mentioned on that bag had me intrigued to learn more.
The WinShape Foundation encompasses seven different programs, including programs for college assistance, kids summer camp, marriage counseling, and more. But one program specifically truly hit “home” (pun intended, keep reading!). I stumbled upon the WinShape Home program – a place that provides a safe, caring, and stable home environment for children who are victims of circumstance. The program currently has 11 homes throughout the southern part of the US, and fosters over 95 children. This touching story was featured on the website:
“At the tender and complicated age of 12, Susan moved into a WinShape Home. Over the next 12 years, she learned what it was like to have a real family. It didn’t take long for her “house-parents” to become her real parents, and the other children in her home to become her brothers and sisters. For the first time in her life, she had a family that cared for her, encouraged her, and met her physical, spiritual and emotional needs. She had never been on a family vacation before joining her WinShape Homes family, but today recalls those times together as her fondest memories. With the support of her family, she was able to graduate from high school and then college in Alabama. Today, Susan is married and looks forward to sharing the love and support she received at WinShape Homes with her own family.”
Every child is in need of love, care, and support – all things in which a family is meant to give each other. I’m so grateful to hear about foundations and programs, such as WinShape Home, that are raising awareness and helping children find their forever families. I am blessed and honored to be able to work with such a wonderful team at MLJ Adoptions, who are passionate about orphan and foster care, and make it their mission to help children in need. I have siblings who were once those children in need, and can’t imagine my family without them. Thank you everyone at MLJ for the work you do, without you my family wouldn’t be complete!
For more information about MLJ Adoptions’ international adoption programs, please click here.