The Shelter Program 2023 & 2022
Bringing Hope to Unaccompanied Minors: ECHO's "For The Kids" Programs
Since 2016, ECHO has been a beacon of support for unaccompanied minors with refugee status under the care of the US Federal Protection Service. Our shelter programs offer these vulnerable children and teens a safe haven, where they not only find refuge but also experience the warmth of God's love during their most trying times.
Spanning continents, our shelters serve unaccompanied minors from diverse backgrounds, including Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Many of these young souls have endured harrowing ordeals, from human trafficking to forced labor in drug cartels, leaving them with deep emotional scars.
At ECHO, we guide these resilient youngsters towards healing through the unwavering light of Jesus' love. Our mission is to embrace and uplift those who have been marginalized and cast aside, irrespective of the trials they've faced in their past.
The shelters provide not just care but also education for unaccompanied minors while dedicated caseworkers tirelessly strive to secure their relocation or safe return home. The profound impact of our programs is evident in the words of gratitude from our staff, who often remark, "We've never seen the kids as happy as they are today!"
In the year 2023 alone, ECHO's tireless efforts touched the lives of over 5,000 teens hailing from nations like Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, and beyond. These resilient souls have discovered solace and healing in the embrace of Christ, buoyed by the unwavering support of our compassionate community.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this: to visit orphans...”
James 1:27
Since 2016, ECHO has joined efforts with Breaking Boundaries Children’s Ministries to help unaccompanied minors with refugee status who are in the custody of the US Federal Protection Service. We love this program because it provides a unique opportunity to share God’s love with children and teens in vulnerable positions and it is very near and dear to our hearts.
These unaccompanied minors come from Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Middle East, and have either crossed the border illegally or have been rescued from human trafficking, organ trafficking, and forced drug cartel labor. This has caused these children to experience a tremendous amount of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Many of them have lost their families and have been traumatized by the cartel world, our mission is to introduce them to Jesus. As they put their faith in him for salvation, we want to show them how their new life and journey of healing begins in him! We do not want to get caught up in border politics, but we do want to accomplish what God has called us to: love those who are rejected and cast out. God has commissioned us to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations and 144,834 children and teens were taken into custody into 2021 alone. Through these shelters for minors, the nations are coming to us!
These shelters under the US Federal Protection Service run similar to boarding schools and are designed to house unaccompanied minors as their caseworkers help them relocate or return to their country of origin. While these children are being cared for and educated in their shelters, they are occasionally allowed to receive visitors and take part in extracurricular activities outside of their houses while being accompanied by staff. That is where ECHO comes in. After a year of submitting applications, interviews, and meetings, God allowed us to go into the shelters twice a week to have Bible studies (during COVID, we produced Bible study videos to continue ministering to them-100s of kids watched!).
In addition to the Bible studies, we host bi-monthly parties where 100 kids from 5 shelters hear the gospel and are invited to make a decision to follow Christ. Many have been saved through these events and thanks to our donors, we have given away thousands of Bibles, toys, and gifts. Their chaperones frequently comment during these events saying, “We have never seen the kids look as happy as they are today!”
Testimonies
The first shelter we held Bible studies in shared that violence decreased by 85% after we started visiting. When other shelters asked what they had been doing to control the violence, the only variable they could think of was that God had been working and changing the kids’ lives. This has opened doors for us to teach in more shelters! God is doing a great work!
We have received letters from some youth that are now living with their extended or sponsor families in the States. They have shared how God changed their lives through the events we held and how they have continued to serve the Lord. They are active in their churches and serve as Sunday school teachers. We will never truly know how many thousands of lives God is transforming through these kids who are now Echoing Christ!
How You Can Help
Volunteer
Our event on June 18th will be our biggest yet and we can’t do it alone! If you are interested in volunteering with us, fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will contact you! (Flyer also at the bottom with more information)
Pray
For the events we host and that God would continue to bring revival to each shelter!
That the youth would experience healing and growth through a relationship with Jesus.
That God would provide more Spanish speaking teachers and counselors so we can expand into more shelters.
Give
Partner financially so we can continue to provide Bibles, gifts, supplies, and cover event costs.
(For privacy and safety reasons, no names, locations, or photos of the unaccompanied minors, or specific shelter names are disclosed).
What Is Next?
Looking ahead to the future, we are emboldened by the success of our endeavors thus far and are excited to unveil our forthcoming initiatives for the new year:
1. Monthly Pop-Up Shop: Continuously providing new clothes, prayer devotions, and communal meals, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
2. Quarterly Soccer Event: Engaging approximately 200 participants through sports coaching, special guest appearances, and vital soccer equipment partnerships.
3. Monthly Bible Study: A cornerstone for spiritual growth, offering engaging crafts and enriching literature.
4. Quarterly Art Project Day for Girls: A vibrant celebration of creativity, faith, and empowerment, catering to 60 to 100 teenage girls.
5. Brownsville Events: Sustaining collaborative efforts to support local churches with two-day trips to Brownsville, raising awareness, and providing heartfelt gift bags.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for being an integral part of this transformative journey. Through the steadfast dedication of our prayer team, countless teens have found hope and salvation in Jesus, underscoring the profound purpose behind all that we do.
With your steadfast support, we are filled with anticipation to continue guiding these brave souls towards the boundless hope found only in Jesus. Thank you for standing alongside us as we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of these courageous young individuals.
Together, let us continue to be beacons of hope and love for these remarkable young souls, guiding them towards a future filled with promise and purpose.
TESTIMONY FROM THE LAST EVENT
These events mean more than we can imagine to these teens. It was so special to see them jumping up and down cheering with their trophies! Some were almost in tears for being over joyed! To quote one of the teens “It was the best day of my entire life! I had the most fun I have ever had.” They truly felt the love of God at this event.
It was a very special day, but the most important part was that we were able to share God’s love and preach the gospel! Throughout the day we were able to talk and pray for them in small groups! There were 41 professions of Faith! We are so excited for the big things that God did!
In our last event we had 195 teens ages 12-17. From the shelters we had people from the following countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba and one teen from Afghanistan.
We are expecting over 250 youth on November 12th!