The mission of the Orphan Care Alliance (OCA) is to equip, connect, and mobilize Christians to serve vulnerable children and families which made them a perfect organization to partner with Christian Appalachian Project’s Family Advocacy Program. OCA donated 148 boxes of infant and children’s essentials, plus baby clothes and diapers in a variety of sizes.

“These items will be used for the children and infants in our area that are threatened by not having such essential and basic needs been met,” said Pat Griffith, manager of CAP’s Family Advocacy Program in Martin, Floyd, and Johnson Counties. “We expand our impact by partnering with multiple agencies that ensure these tender-aged children are receiving such essential.”

According to Griffith, there are many young families that are struggling to keep the electric on not to mention buying their children diapers and/or clothing. Donations like this that CAP receives from partners like the Orphan Care Alliance ensures that parents do not have to choose between keeping the electric on, purchasing clothing, or feeding their children.

“Although we are based in Louisville, we know that when you get to other parts of Kentucky, you find much more need, but the supply of needed items is much more scarce,” said Darren Washausen, executive director of OCA. “We wanted to put these essentials in a place that could really use it.”

CAP’s Family Advocacy Program serves families in need across Appalachia that includes children growing up without their parents. In recent years, CAP has seen an increase in children being raised by their grandparents.

“We know many grandparents that are raising their grandchildren are on fixed incomes, so we focus on younger ones who grow out of their clothes so quickly and that can add additional needs to the financial challenges of families,” Washausen said.

OCA equips Christians and connects them with opportunities to care for fatherless children and family preservation. They also provide opportunities to engage in orphan care whether its adopting or advocating.

“CAP and OCA have a similar mission,” Griffith said. “We help families who are struggling to make ends meet or to just survive. We give them hope that they can make it through whatever struggles or difficulties they’re going through. Sometimes you just need to know that you are not alone.”