Buckner International

Today is "Go Purple Day,” a national day of action where everyone is encouraged to wear purple to honor the victims of domestic violence as well as raise awareness. Domestic violence can take on many different forms, from emotional to physical or even online. To find out more read our latest blog at https://hubs.la/Q02T74fp0 If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in any form please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text START to 88788.

The holidays are just around the corner! Christmas at Buckner is a time of celebration, serving others and sharing in the gift of joy and hope. We'd love to connect your gift of volunteered time, donated toys or other resources toward a family who could use some encouragement this season. Visit https://hubs.la/Q02SDBZ_0 to learn about ways you can shine hope this holiday season.

Buckner International celebrates Indigenous Peoples and their remarkable contributions to our nation.

Buckner International recognizes the importance of protecting vulnerable children from bullying. Colby Holman, high school senior and volunteer with Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®, told his story about experiencing bullying as a child diagnosed with autism. "When you’re a little kid and you have autism, everything scares you. My parents put me in special classes and therapy. They wanted to prepare me for school as best they could. However, the world is just looking for reasons to bully a kid with autism and it doesn’t take much to get the bullies started." Visit https://hubs.la/Q02SnDCs0 to read more of Colby's story and to learn practical ways you can prevent bullying and protect all children.

"Poetry is how the 89-year-old, affectionately known at Pat to her friends and Oma to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, has processed all of life's moments. Many of these poems are collected in her self-published book, 'Pat's Poetry,' which was released in 2016 on Amazon." Visit https://hubs.la/Q02RydLw0 to read more about Patricia Richard and how residents of Calder Woods, a Buckner Retirement Services living community, are benefitting from her poetry.

"Maternal infant loss is a heartbreaking experience that affects many families worldwide each year. The emotional and psychological toll on parents can be immense, making it difficult for them to seek help. It’s crucial for both individuals and communities to offer meaningful support after a family has experienced this loss." Visit https://hubs.la/Q02R4SCf0 to learn more about how to seek and offer support.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Did you know that youth in foster care are more likely to be bullied? Buckner International recognizes that it is our shared responsibility to prevent bullying, especially for those who are vulnerable. Know the signs and take action to ensure a safer world for children everywhere.

What does hope look like at Buckner International? This video debuted at the Texas Alliance of Child & Family Services Conference in Round Rock, Texas.

In most cases in Kenya, foster care is really kinship care – where extended family members take care of children whose parents have died or abandoned them. These relatives receive financial support, food, school fees, health care and family coaching from Buckner Kenya staff. In 2023, Buckner Kenya had 13 kinship adoptions and 179 children placed in kinship care. Edwin is a 6-year-old boy who lost both parents at a young age. He lives with his grandmother, but they often struggled to find money for food and school fees. Buckner was able to help Edwin by providing healthcare, school fees, nutritious food and more to help Edwin and his siblings flourish. You can read more about Edwin’s story and kinship care in Kenya on our blog: https://hubs.la/Q02NJlJQ0

Buckner Family Hope Centers in the Dominican Republic provide food, clothing and shoes to meet very basic needs of families who live nearby. Visit https://hubs.la/Q02RdZQw0 to learn more about how Buckner International is shining hope in the Dominican Republic.