Founder’s Letter:
Advocates of Love was birthed in January 2013, and we formally received our domestic 501c3 Nonprofit status on January 25th.
When we began, we partnered with a local pastor and rented a small home for our residential care program. The need was so great, but we discovered a lack of advocacy to reach the children who desperately needed our care. We were the first orphan and vulnerable children care resource ever in the entire province – and, to date, we are still the only CONANI-approved resource in Samaná.
We began to travel through the tougher villages and would speak at churches. We challenged the people to advocate for any children they knew who were in need of safety, support and other services. In the first year, with help from the community, we filled our 850 sq ft rental with 10 children and had another 11 in our community care program.
Shortly thereafter, the Lord led us to purchase our first campus on the southern side of the province and we moved into over 5000 sq ft of space with plenty of yard area for the children to run around in.
Like people all across the globe, we were affected by the Global Pandemic. Again, the Lord guided us to use this pause for greater things. Through the generous support of Danny Sinclair, Callan Sinclair, Giving Hope NOLA, and Board of Advisors, we set out to develop a major campus expansion and it was completed by the end of 2021. God’s grace never ceases to amaze me when I have faith through hard work. In August 2021 we moved into the new campus, which includes four dormitories (4800 sq ft total), and our common area building that includes the kitchen, classrooms, an office and plenty of storage space (4640 sq ft total).
One of my favorite memories from 2021 was leading a group in May when we opened the missionary quarters. Officially experiencing the vision of the ministry coming to life was priceless and visitations from friendly new faces are vital to our children.
Our vision for 2022 is to maximize the resources we have to facilitate mission trips. We have always offered them, but now we are now fully prepared to be able to house and transport up to 25+ visiting people and offer a hands-on experience within the ministry. It is our vision that this would also include internship opportunities as well.
We have many opportunities to get involved. Join us in praying for these children and for those that take care of them everyday. Our motto is: Pray, Go, Give. Come visit with a team or just your family and experience first hand all of what God is doing here in Samana through the only orphan care resource in the province. Give financially by sponsoring a child or selecting a monthly amount to help us with all of the necessary costs of taking care of these children.
Let Us Pray.
Jesus, you have begun a good work in the ministry of Advocates of Love and we can trust that you will see it to completion. I pray you will continue to motivate those you are calling to join your great work and that it will continue to have an impact on your kingdom.
