our story.
Everyone has a story. Throughout ours, God has been so faithful and we have learned to hold our plans loosely. Our vision has remained the same — supporting those leading on the ground — but throughout our story, the how has certainly changed. We have always wanted to stay open to how God is calling us to give life and what the needs call for.
Whether you have been a part of this with us from the beginning or are new to us, welcome. We are so glad you are here.
Like every story and all of life, in the midst of the everyday — the meals, the homework, the changing of diapers, and the soccer games — there are highlights.
Here are a few of ours…
a few of our highlights.
2010
Only a few months after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a team from a local Church in New Jersey traveled to Haiti to come alongside the ministry of Pastors Wilson and Gladys Charles. While the team was in Haiti, Pastor Wilson shared about his desire to open a home for displaced children in his country.
2011
With only the vision of the Children’s Home, our first banquet launched the beginning of the Home.
In May 2011, the Home opened its doors in a temporary rented space with eight children.
By December, the Children’s Home family grew to 20 children.
2012
Construction began for a new space for the Children’s Home.
In June, Wings of Refuge, Inc. officially becomes a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
By December, the first level of the new Home was finished! The Children’s Home family moved in the day after Christmas.
2013
Just in time to begin school in September, the Children’s Home family grew by 14 children bringing the total to 34 children.
A local Church in Williamsburg, Virginia buys the Home a generator, making consistent electricity available.
2014
We hosted our first Haiti Marketplace event, inviting our community to buy ethically from Haitian artisans while also supporting the Home.
2015
The Summer Program at the Children’s Home officially launched, allowing the children to learn different life skills from Haitian leaders & see different aspects of their country through a variety of field trips.
2016
We launched Haiti Marketplace online, inviting people to shop ethically-made Haitian goods all year-round.
The Home began sending some of the kids for vacations with their biological families.
2017
The Education Sponsorship program launched, which supported two kids outside of the Home with access to schooling.
The first parenting seminar took place, where biological family members of the Children’s Home came together for a day of training, encouragement & equipping.
2018
We purchase the Children’s Home their very first vehicle — a fifteen passenger van! This made it possible for the older kids to go to a strong school in the city.
2019
This was a really hard year in Haiti due to ongoing civil unrest & schools being closed for months — but we made it! It was a year full of homeschooling, lots of soccer in the courtyard, and praying for our country.
2020
In June, 19 of the children at the Children’s Home were reunited with their families.
In August, we added a new Board of Directors, which led to an evolution of responsibilities between our Staff & the Board. With it came some new additions to our team!
In October, we launched Ansanm — a follow-up program focused on supporting families in a host of beautiful ways.
2021
Though the year was full of challenges, we saw God do some beautiful things through Ansanm, Haiti Marketplace, and the team in Haiti. Many of the dreams, expectations, and goals we had for 2021 were forced to shift and pivot in response to the growing political instability and gang violence throughout Port-au-Prince and most of the country.
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the invitation is always open.