See also: VisionTrust International
Contents
- History
- Countries of operation
- Number of children assisted
- Child sponsorships
- Short term mission trips
- Advocacy
- Accountability
- References
VisionTrust is an international, non-denominational non-profit organization that assists orphaned and impoverished children around the world. The organization works alongside Christian Nationals to help children gain education, nutritional support, medical assistance and spiritual discipleship. VisionTrust works in schools, orphanages, learning centers and medical clinics. 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 founder, Dr. Taylor.
Countries of operation
As of May 2013, the ministry has expanded to serve in sixteen countries, including: Brazil, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Liberia, Malawi, Myanmar, Peru, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo and Zimbabwe.
Number of children assisted
As of September 2014, VisionTrust assists over 15,000 children through Learning Centers, Schools and Transitional Homes.
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 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.
2) Vitamin Drives are used to promote a vitamin collection. Vitamins collected are sent to impoverished children around the world.
3) SchoolSupply Drives are used to promote a school supply collection. School supplies collected are sent to 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.