Do you remember what it felt like to be a teenager? The tension of no longer being a small child but not yet being an adult. You still depended on the people around you, even as you began to figure out where you fit in the world and imagine what your future might hold.
Many teens in our Vulnerable Child program are navigating these same questions while also facing absent parents, unmet basic needs, and limited opportunities for continued education, employment, or independence.
For children ages 13 to 16 in our Vulnerable Child program, this can be a particularly vulnerable season. They are still too young to be considered for Transitional Living and are often overlooked when sponsors choose a child to connect with. This can be especially discouraging for a teen who watches friends or younger siblings receive sponsors while they continue to wait.
For these young teens, having a sponsor is a powerful reminder that they are seen, valued, and cared for, both by someone across the world and, most importantly, by a loving God. Sponsorship also helps provide practical needs like clothing and school supplies as they grow, while JMI continues walking with them and considering what support they may need in the years ahead, including whether Transitional Living could be the right next step.
For some of these older children, a sponsor can come into their lives at a critical time. They may lack a consistent, positive influence or even basics like shoes that fit, school supplies for a new year, or everyday toiletries. As they move closer to adulthood, knowing that someone has chosen to invest in their life can offer encouragement and stability during a season filled with change.
For children who have spent years watching and waiting, time matters. Some may reach the end of eligibility for the Vulnerable Child program without ever experiencing the relationship and encouragement of having a sponsor. You could be the person who changes that for a child.
Sponsoring an older child may mean you have fewer years together, but that doesn’t make those years any less significant. Through letters, prayer, and consistent support, you have the opportunity to remind a young person at a formative point in their life that they are known, valued, and loved. Plus, as with any sponsorship relationship, you may be surprised by how much the connection impacts you, too.
If you have considered sponsorship but aren’t able to commit for many years, would you consider sponsoring an older child who is still waiting? Even one to three years can be a life-changing time to walk with a young person as they take important steps toward adulthood.
Find an older child waiting for a sponsor.
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