About a year ago, the Tim Tebow Foundation set out on a bold new initiative to pour into new and existing ministry partners in Central America and the Caribbean doing profound work in serving children with special needs. In order to be effective in this new agenda we called upon our faithful TTF family to consider joining us in this critical effort. Through prayer, hard work and determination, together we made a difference—and we are only getting started!
We set out on a mission to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those in their darkest hour of need in Guatemala, Mexico and Haiti with funding for in-country programming and improvements. Raising more than $500,000 to fortify work we are doing with four key ministry partners, here is a brief look at the life-changing impact you’ve been a part of:
MyLIFEspeaks — Located in Neply, Haiti, myLIFEspeaks focuses on providing clinical care, therapy, family preservation programs, and peer mentoring. Recently, Life Clinic staff have been enabled to provide more current and comprehensive care for those in the community due to additional resources for education and training of staff. They have also made improvements to their building by adding solar panels which provides round-the-clock power and water—increasing patients access for treatment. New equipment such as thermometers, scales and exam table have been added which helps staff to be more efficient in helping patients.
Down Guatemala — Because of the financial support provided to Down Guatemala over the past year, the program’s impact on the community of people with special needs has expanded and strengthened significantly. The number of students they serve has doubled, they created a new Personalized Learning Program for students who need a uniquely tailored approach, they have trained more than 450 local pastors on the importance of special needs ministry and the ministry has expanded into other cities, as well as rural areas of the country and now serves children with autism, spina bifida and other mild-moderate intellectual disabilities in addition to Down syndrome.
Hands & Feet Project — From Grand Goave to several hours away in Jacmel, your faithfulness in giving has continued to change the lives of children through the Hands & Feet Project, and often their families, as well. Over the past year, the ministry has developed a daycare program to prevent abandonment as parents go off to work to provide for their families, support has been deployed for young women who desire to care for their children but do not have the means to do so, and the Children’s Homes continue to provide a refuge for children who have been orphaned or abandoned to be known and loved in a family environment.
Back2Back Ministries — Thanks to your generosity, the orphaned and vulnerable children cared for by TTF and Back2Back Ministries in Mazatlan, Mexico, will soon be able to receive specialized and personalized care in a beautiful 8,000 square foot multi-resource center. This center will not only serve the residential children, but will also be available to the entire community, supporting families with the necessary resources to care for their children with special needs, keeping families together and allowing children to not just exist, but to thrive. Learn more about the 12 Stones Center for Holistic Child Development by clicking here
We, together, have done far more than we could have imagined. God stretches, pulls and strengthens us to not only pursue the work before us; but also seek His will as we continue to share Faith, Hope & Love. We are reminded that we are co-laborers with God in Hebrews 6:10 that says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” With that, we take up the call and continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Each one of these ministries reaches a specific need in the region. We work with those already deeply invested in changing the lives of people with special needs—their purpose is clear in what they hope to achieve. By partnering with these passionate organizations, and bringing them together as a coalition, we are meeting real needs with haste and effectiveness. God is moving through TTF, these ministries and through your giving.
The success of these programs and improvements directly correlates with the prayer and giving of the TTF family. Our goal is to continue to pursue a ‘let’s go’ attitude in how we strive for the people this work reaches and serves are thankful you’ve joined us in that fight to help meet physical and spiritual needs in these regions.
