Amid Conflict in Lebanon, Communities Rally Around Children & Families
Amid Conflict in Lebanon, Communities Rally Around Children & Families
Beirut, Lebanon — March 2026 — As conflict escalates across Lebanon, families in the communities where Kids Alive serves are navigating daily uncertainty while leaning on one another for support and stability.
Bombings in several regions have disrupted daily life across the country. Schools have closed, travel between cities has become difficult, and many families are staying indoors as they wait and hope for peace. In some neighborhoods, families have opened their homes to relatives fleeing heavily targeted areas in the south.
Within these communities, local staff, families, and supporters are working together to ensure children continue receiving care and encouragement during an unsettling time.
In southern Lebanon, the Kids Alive New Horizons Center has temporarily paused operations due to heavy bombing in the region. Even so, staff remain in close contact with students and families by phone, checking on their safety and wellbeing whenever possible.
In Beirut, where Kids Alive operates the Dar El Awlad school, residential program, and a women’s ministry, teams are adjusting day by day as conditions continue to change.
Earlier this week, after several days of closure, staff gathered to consider whether reopening the Dar El Awlad school might offer children a small sense of normalcy during a frightening and uncertain season. Together they decided to reopen the school for a shortened day so students and staff could return home safely before potential evening strikes.
For many students, simply walking back into the classroom was emotional. Teachers could see the weight of the past week written on their faces. Some students struggled to focus as they processed the events unfolding around them.
One student quietly voiced what many were feeling: “Why should we study if we might die soon?”
Teachers and staff spent time encouraging students and listening to their fears, reminding them that their lives and futures matter deeply even in the middle of uncertainty.
But the moment of normalcy did not last long. That night, heavy attacks struck across Beirut. By the following morning, the school made the difficult decision to close again to ensure the safety of both students and staff.
Moving forward, the team will continue assessing conditions day by day, carefully weighing whether it is safe to reopen the school. Their hope is to welcome children back whenever possible — offering not only education, but a place where students can feel safe, supported, and cared for during a deeply uncertain time.
As displacement increases, many families in the community have opened their modest homes to relatives fleeing from targeted areas. In response, Kids Alive has helped secure apartments for several displaced families, including support for alumni families who were forced to relocate.
Local organizations are also coming together to respond to the growing needs. Earlier this week, several faith-based organizations gathered at the Kids Alive center in Beirut to discuss how they can collaborate to support displaced families and strengthen community response efforts.
“Our communities are showing incredible strength in the middle of very difficult circumstances,” said Denise Dagher, Country Director for Kids Alive Lebanon. “Families are opening their homes to one another, and our staff are doing their best to support children who are scared and uncertain about what tomorrow will bring. We are grateful for the prayers and support from around the world that allow us to stand with these families and continue serving our community.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the Kids Alive team remains focused on the safety of children and staff, maintaining food and essential supplies for families, and supporting households navigating displacement and uncertainty.
Leaders are asking supporters around the world to continue praying for protection over children and families in Lebanon, for wisdom for caregivers and teachers supporting children through fear and uncertainty, and for peace across the region.
Those who would like to support children and families during this time can do so by contributing to the Lebanon ministry response. Gifts will help provide food assistance, support displaced families, and ensure children in Kids Alive programs continue receiving care and encouragement during this difficult season.
Support for the Lebanon response can be given here:
Kids Alive International is a Christ-centered global organization dedicated to helping children, families, and communities move from trauma to triumph and lasting transformation. Working in multiple countries around the world, Kids Alive partners with local leaders to provide trauma-responsive care, strengthen families, expand access to restorative education, and advocate for justice for children who have experienced abuse, exploitation, and other forms of harm. Through programs focused on Justice Advocacy, Family Strengthening, Protective Care, and Restorative Education, Kids Alive works to address both the immediate needs of children and the deeper systems that impact their safety and wellbeing.
In Lebanon, Kids Alive serves children and families through the Dar El Awlad school and residential program, the New Horizons community center in southern Lebanon, and a Women’s Ministry program that supports mothers and families in vulnerable communities. Together with local staff and community partners, Kids Alive Lebanon works to provide safe spaces for children to learn, heal, and grow while supporting families navigating complex social and economic challenges.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
Guatemala City, Guatemala — August 12, 2025 — Kids Alive Guatemala has entered into a new five-year partnership with the Guatemalan Secretary of Social Welfare to strengthen the country’s foster care system and expand family-based care for children.
The memorandum of understanding, signed on August 12, establishes a collaborative framework focused on placing children in safe, nurturing foster families and strengthening national foster care practices. Through this partnership, Kids Alive Guatemala will work alongside the government to support foster families, equip caregivers, and help ensure children experience stability, connection, and belonging while long-term solutions are pursued.
As part of the agreement, Kids Alive Guatemala will work alongside the Secretary of Social Welfare to strengthen foster care across the national system. Through this partnership, Kids Alive Guatemala provides online training to 100% of the families registered in Guatemala’s foster care system and offers close, ongoing accompaniment to a core group of foster families—expanding that group each year. This hands-on casework experience allows Kids Alive Guatemala to walk alongside families throughout the entire foster care process, from awareness and recruitment to placement and long-term support, helping promote stability, continuity, and quality care nationwide.
Strengthening Foster Care Through Training and Support
This partnership builds on Kids Alive Guatemala’s longstanding experience supporting foster families across the country. The organization currently provides a monthly online training program for 70 foster families registered in the national system, covering topics such as Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), caregiver-child connection, health, parenting, and practical strategies for supporting children who have experienced difficult circumstances.
In addition to training, Kids Alive Guatemala offers ongoing accompaniment through social work and psychology services, supporting families before, during, and after placements—even when a child originates from another care setting. Some families have received continuous support for as long as seven years.
Based on this hands-on experience, the Guatemalan government has invited Kids Alive Guatemala to help review and strengthen the national foster care methodology, contributing to continuous improvement at a countrywide level.
A Significant Step for Guatemala’s Child-Protection System
This partnership comes at a critical time for Guatemala’s child-protection landscape. Currently, there are only two nongovernmental organizations supporting the national foster care system, and just 70 foster families are registered nationwide. Of those, 50 currently have children placed with them, with Kids Alive Guatemala directly supporting 13 families.
By equipping caregivers with practical tools and ongoing guidance, Kids Alive Guatemala has helped foster families remain engaged and provide consistent care—strengthening confidence in the foster care model and reducing unnecessary movement for children.
The agreement also reflects growing trust and collaboration between the government and Kids Alive Guatemala, including plans to transition adolescents from state care into family-based or Kids Alive residential environments designed to support healing, education, and community belonging.
A Shared Vision for Children and Families
“Being part of a foster family provides children with a safe and nurturing environment where they can develop emotional stability, receive personalized attention, and form positive bonds,” said Rosalva Alvarado, Kids Alive Guatemala Country Director. “Through this partnership, we are helping ensure children continue their education, remain connected to their communities, and experience meaningful care while long-term solutions are pursued.”
First-Year Goals and Outcomes
During the first year of the agreement, Kids Alive Guatemala and the Secretary of Social Welfare will focus on key outcomes, including:
Providing ongoing support to 20 temporary foster families, increasing from the current 13 families by 2026
Delivering TBRI® training to all 70 foster families currently part of Guatemala’s national foster care system
Providing training and ongoing accompaniment to 100% of the foster families registered in Guatemala’s national foster care system, while expanding direct, hands-on support to additional families each year to strengthen stability and quality of care.
Developing a support network with 15 local churches to help identify potential foster families and mentors
Through this partnership, Kids Alive Guatemala will continue to walk alongside caregivers, children, and government partners—strengthening family-based care and helping create pathways where children can experience safety, connection, and hope.
Reference Links
Access the local Guatemala Secretary of Social Welfare news release around this partnership here.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global non-profit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families, and advocating for justice. With a presence in seven countries, Kids Alive provides holistic care that addresses not only immediate needs like safety, education, and health, but also the deeper wounds of trauma and sexual abuse.
In Guatemala, the ministry operates under the name Vida Para Niños and is recognized for its leadership in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and advocacy for children who have suffered sexual abuse or other forms of violence. Through safe homes, foster family programs, counseling, and legal accompaniment, Kids Alive ensures that children are not revictimized by the systems meant to protect them.
The organization is committed to advancing systemic change by working with courts, governments, and local partners to embed “Justice that Heals” into legal processes. This includes creating safe spaces within court systems, training judicial personnel in child-sensitive practices, and walking with families as they pursue reconciliation and restoration.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. Kids Alive International is devoted to making that a reality, combining compassionate care with courageous advocacy to defend the most vulnerable and restore hope for future generations.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
Kids Alive International is sharing an important update regarding our ministry in the Dominican Republic.
After thoughtful prayer, planning, and conversation, the Dominican Republic leadership team has chosen to transition into their own independent organization. Kids Alive fully blesses this decision and celebrates the growth, stability, and leadership strength the DR team has reached.
Why Kids Alive International and the Dominican Republic Ministries Are Separating
After three decades of faithful partnership, KAI and our Dominican Republic affiliate have reached a point where both organizations can pursue their missions more effectively independently.
In recent years, KAI has increasingly focused on God's call to transform the lives of abused children, their families, and their communities through Gospel-centered trauma recovery, family strengthening, community transformation, and justice initiatives. Meanwhile, the DR ministries have remained deeply committed to God’s calling for them and the mission of transforming lives through holistic Christian education, residential care, healthcare, and discipleship programs.
Recognizing that serving two distinct missions under one organization presents significant challenges, the DR leadership has chosen to form their own organization, and Kids Alive International has agreed to support this transition. We believe both organizations can serve vulnerable children more effectively by focusing resources and messaging around our respective core strengths.
This transition reflects a natural next step for the DR team and will take place over a planned six-month period, with completion expected no later than the end of June 2026.
What This Transition Looks Like
As you can imagine, there are many logistical steps involved in establishing a new independent organization. Throughout this season, it is essential that day-to-day operations continue with stability and care.
Key elements of the transition include:
The Dominican Republic team establishing their own name and independent organizational structure.
All current DR staff remaining in place and continuing their work locally.
All sites and properties transitioning fully to DR ownership.
The creation of a new giving platform for donors who wish to support the DR directly.
A six-month transition timeline, expected to conclude no later than the end of June.
During this time, Kids Alive will continue operating as normal across all countries we serve.
Our Commitment Through the Transition
Our priority remains the same throughout this transition: That the children, family, and staff of Kids Alive International thrive. This priority, now as before, includes the children, families, and staff of the DR programs. Every decision we make will be guided by what best positions Kids Alive International and the new ministry in the DR to thrive.
Throughout the transition period:
Kids Alive will continue to process and pass through all designated gifts to the DR.
Current operations for both Kids Alive and the DR will continue without interruption.
Kids Alive International will remain the point of contact for donors during this season.
All information for supporting the new DR ministry will be provided when available.
A Continued Partnership
We are deeply grateful for the years of shared ministry alongside the Dominican Republic team and consider them lifelong partners and collaborators. While organizational structures may change, our shared commitment to serving children and families remains strong.
We invite our community to:
Pray for wisdom and clarity for both teams during this transition.
Pray for the kids and families connected to the DR programs.
Reach out to our team with any questions or for additional information. kidsalive@kidsalive.org or 1-800-5437-330
We look forward with gratitude for what God has already done and with hope for what lies ahead as the Dominican Republic team steps into this next chapter.
LANSING, MI — November 17, 2025 — Kids Alive International hosted its national Night of Justice event on Friday night at Grewal Hall, gathering advocates, legal professionals, donors, and community leaders from across the country to spotlight a growing movement of justice, trauma-informed care, and long-term healing for girls in Guatemala who have survived severe domestic sexual violence.
Keynote Speakers Underscore the Importance of Expanding Justice Work
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina—known globally for her unwavering advocacy for survivors—commended Kids Alive’s holistic, healing-centered approach, saying:
“Kids Alive not only shows the kids that they matter and helps them in every way, but they teach them about a new way of life that is positive, joyous, and fulfilled.” — Judge Rosemarie Aquilina
Coach Valerie Condos-Field, a seven-time NCAA National Champion and widely recognized leadership voice, encouraged attendees to rally behind the expansion of the Justice Center model:
“I don’t think it will be hard to get one of these centers built in this country at all. I know that the number one mission for the current staff at Kids Alive is to get the word out there and let people know the amazing work that they are doing.” — Coach Val
Event Sponsors Recognized for Their Partnership
Kids Alive International also expressed deep appreciation for the event’s sponsors, whose partnership made the Night of Justice possible. Grewal Law PLLC, Morton’s Fine Catering, Reeder Pianos, Inc., Cube Mobile Imaging, Grewal Hall at 224, and Custom Built Design & Remodeling were recognized for their generous support and commitment to expanding trauma-informed services for girls in Guatemala. Their investment strengthens survivor-focused programs and helps advance the launch of a second Justice Center—ensuring more girls have access to safety, healing, and restored dignity.
Advancing a Second Justice Center in Guatemala
This year’s Night of Justice marked a significant milestone for Kids Alive’s work in Guatemala. Through the generosity of attendees and partners, the organization is moving forward with establishing a second Justice Center—a critical step in expanding capacity, strengthening coordinated response, and ensuring more survivors have access to comprehensive, trauma-informed care.
The event also took a major step forward in funding the new Guatemala Justice Center. To date, the Night of Justice has raised more than $234,000, with efforts ongoing to secure the full investment needed to launch and sustain the center. These funds directly support expanding trauma-informed services, increasing clinical and legal capacity, and ensuring more girls have access to long-term safety, care, and restored dignity. If individuals or organizations would like to further support the launch of the new Justice Center, contributions can be made at: kidsalive.org/night-of-justice-111425-giving
Kids Alive Guatemala (Vida Para Niños) works in close partnership with local judges, courts, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure each girl is supported with:
“Justice that heals is possible—when we do this work together,” said Corbey Dukes, President & CEO of Kids Alive International. “We’re grateful for the leaders who stood with us tonight and for every partner helping us expand the Justice Center model to reach more girls who deserve safety, dignity, and hope."
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families, and advocating for justice. With a presence in seven countries, Kids Alive provides holistic, trauma-informed care that integrates safety, education, health, and therapeutic support to address both immediate needs and the deeper wounds of trauma.
Through innovative programs in Restorative Education, Protective Care, Family Strengthening, and Justice Advocacy, Kids Alive equips children and families with the tools, relationships, and long-term support they need to thrive. The organization partners with local professionals, community leaders, and government systems to ensure every child is treated with dignity and has the opportunity to experience hope, healing, and a restored future.
For more information about Kids Alive international or to join the mission, visit: kidsalive.org.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at: news@kidsalive.org.
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
%20(1000%20x%201000%20px).png)
