VisionTrust is an international, non-denominational

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

that assists

orphaned An orphan (from the el, ορφανός, orphanós) is a child whose parents have died. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents due to death is called an orphan. When referring to animals, only the mother's condition is usuall ...

and vulnerable children around the world. The organization works alongside local Christians to help children gain an education, nutritional support, medical assistance, and spiritual discipleship. VisionTrust works in schools, Transitional Homes (

orphanages An orphanage is a residential institution, total institution or group home, devoted to the care of orphans and children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their biological families. The parents may be deceased, absent, or a ...

), and Learning Centers. They offer child sponsorships, short-term mission trips, and assist churches with educational materials to promote participation in this effort. VisionTrust is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

History

VisionTrust International began its ministry in 1997 when Dr. Ernie Taylor acted on his desire to help orphans in Myanmar and impoverished children living in the slums of the Dominican Republic. In 2013, Matthew Storer accepted the role of CEO from the founder, Taylor. In 2018, Devlin Donaldson became President/CEO.

Countries of operation

As of July 2018, the ministry has expanded to serve in 15 countries, including:

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR; ; , RCA; , or , ) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the southeast, the DR Congo to the south, the Republic of th ...

Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with ...

, Guatemala, Haiti,

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

, Liberia, Malawi,

Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

, Togo, and

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...

Number of children assisted

As of September 2014, VisionTrust assists over 15,000 children through Learning Centers, Schools, and Transitional Homes.

Programs

Child sponsorships

Monthly sponsorships are available. Sponsorships provide a child with food, medical care, and spiritual nurturing. Sponsors and their sponsored children are encouraged to write to each other.

Short-term mission trips

VisionTrust organizes mission trips for churches, college students, families, professionals and sponsors to serve children in poverty around the world. Mission trips focus on one or more of the following categories:
Labor: Construction, painting, and/or maintenance of a school, Transitional Home, or Learning Center.
Evangelism: Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) or ministries designed for children, discipleship training, and street evangelism.
Child Health: Dental and health care teams committed to health promotion and disease prevention in partnership with local health care providers.
Camps: Sports clinics and camps.
Combination: A specialized trip blending the above team types.

Advocacy

1) Sponsorship Drives are used to promote monthly sponsorships of impoverished children around the world.

Accountability

VisionTrust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. No individual owns any stock in the corporation, which is held for charitable purposes. The board of directors at large serve without compensation for three-year rotating terms. VisionTrust is a member of the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability and holds a rating of four out of four stars from Charity Navigator.

References

External links

VisionTrust Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Visiontrust Charities based in Colorado Children's charities based in the United States Christian charities based in the United States Development charities based in the United States Evangelical parachurch organizations Religion in Colorado Springs, Colorado Evangelicalism in Colorado Organizations based in Colorado Springs, Colorado