In two weeks, I will celebrate 16 years of Becoming Minimalist (both the lifestyle and this blog). If you’ve been following my writing for any length of time, you know that I LOVE listing out the positive benefits of owning less.
In almost every post, in way or another, I point out the life-giving benefits of pursuing minimalism—more freedom, less stress, greater productivity, just to name a few.
If I had to list out my favorite benefits in order, I’m not sure I could. But I do know that opening up my life to greater generosity would be one of the benefits near the top.
When you own less, you keep more money. When you buy less, you save more. And when you need less, you open the door to giving more and fighting for causes you believe in.
And one of the greatest joys in life is being able to do something that helps to solve problems you see in the world.
In one of my recent YouTube videos where I talked about the steps we can all take to be a little more generous, I mentioned the important step of supporting causes that resonate deeply with you. The idea is simple: Start by identifying a cause close to your heart, then connect with an organization that champions this cause and contribute joyfully to their efforts.
One such need in the world that has always resonated with my wife Kim and I are helping orphaned children around the world—children who have lost the love and support of their parents (for whatever reason). No doubt our love for vulnerable children is largely inspired by Kim’s own experience of being abandoned at the hospital as a baby—but wanting to help children overcome tragedy doesn’t require such a backstory. Sometimes people are simply motivated out of love or a desire for justice in the world.
For us, this passion to help children led us to create a nonprofit organization, back in 2015, to revolutionize orphan care around the world.
The Hope Effect
With INCREDIBLE support from this Becoming Minimalist community, Kim and I launched The Hope Effect. Our mission was to change the way the world cares for orphans.
And we’re doing it!
Around the world, millions of children are growing up without the love of a family. In many developing countries, these children are raised in institutions—commonly referred to as orphanages.
Unfortunately, decades-old research has shown that institutional care actually has devastating long-term effects on children. Children raised in orphanages don’t receive the love, support and individual attention found within a family environment. This leads to significant developmental delays, and eventually children age out of orphanages only to face a future of crime, prostitution, or trafficking.
Orphanages are better than children living on the streets, but there is a better way!
Every child deserves a family.
And that is the work we are doing around the world. The Hope Effect is working to get children out of orphanages and into loving families.
In less than ten years, we have stretched around globe—pioneering and expanding family care in places like Mexico, Honduras, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Through the love of a family, children like Alberto* have hope for a brighter future.
Alberto’s Story
Alberto, a young boy from Sonora, Mexico, spent the first five months of his life in an orphanage due to his mother’s struggles with addiction.
Sadly, he suffered from developmental delays and serious health concerns. Alberto had a severe skin condition that limited his hair growth and left him with sores all over his body. While the staff at the orphanage tried their best, Alberto needed the individual attention and care that is found within a family.
Thankfully, because of The Hope Effect, Alberto was welcomed into the arms of a foster family, and he began to thrive under their love and affection.
I want you to get a picture of the lives being changed because of this Becoming Minimalist Community. If you have five minutes, watch this short video to see how Alberto’s life has been changed forever because of family:
Join The Circle Of Hope Today
May is National Foster Care Month. So this month, I invite you to partner with us by joining The Hope Effect’s Circle of Hope.
The Circle of Hope is a group of committed supporters, passionate about helping orphaned and vulnerable children, who increase their impact through monthly giving.
As members of the Becoming Minimalist community, I know you desire intentionality in your life. Circle of Hope gives you that opportunity because monthly giving is the most efficient, budget-friendly, and impactful way to support this important work.
And here’s the best part, if you join this month, you will double the impact of your gift for an entire year! In honor of National Foster Care Month, some amazing supporters of The Hope Effect have generously offered to match all new monthly gifts for the first 12 months.
There are children all around the world who have lost the love from their parents. We are passionate about helping them finding new, loving parents—because every child deserves a family.
Of course, you could also give a one-time gift. But my greatest desire this month is to add monthly supporters to the team. In fact, if you become a new monthly supporter of The Hope Effect this month, (donating $100 per month or more—or if you are a current supporter and raise your monthly gift to $100 or more), I will personally call you on the telephone to say thank you and answer any questions you might have.
It is one of my greatest joys talking with those of you who have joined in this important cause. Just be sure to use this link when you join the Circle of Hope.
The Hope Effect is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax-deductible within the U.S. And because we know you want your donation to be used for the reason it was given, 100% of your donation can be directed toward orphan care work.
Thank you so much for embracing the mission and vision of The Hope Effect. I am honored to be part of such a generous and compassionate community.
Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans. Thank you for being a part of it.
*The child’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.
