VisionTrust is an international, non-denominational

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

that assists

orphaned An orphan is a child whose parents have died, are unknown, or have permanently abandoned them. It can also refer to a child who has lost only one parent, as the Hebrew language, Hebrew translation, for example, is "fatherless". In some languages ...

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 by their biological families. The parents may be deceased, absent, or abusiv ...

), 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, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to Central African Republic–Chad border, the north, Sudan to Central African Republic–Sudan border, the northeast, South Sudan to Central ...

Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. It shares a Maritime boundary, maritime border with Puerto Rico to the east and ...

Guatemala Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, to the east by Honduras, and to the southeast by El Salvador. It is hydrologically b ...

, Haiti,

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to Guinea–Liberia border, its north, Ivory Coast to Ivory Coast–Lib ...

, Malawi,

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

, Togo, and

Zimbabwe file:Zimbabwe, relief map.jpg, upright=1.22, Zimbabwe, relief map Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Bots ...

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