ORPHAN CARE ALLIANCE - AN HONORED 2023 RECIPIENT of KENTUCKY COLONELS GRANT
6/26/2023
HONORABLE ORDER OF KENTUCKY COLONELS
AWARD 343 GRANTS TOTALING $3.1 MILLION
ORPHAN CARE ALLIANCE - AN HONORED 2023 RECIPIENT
LOUISVILLE, KY – ORPHAN CARE ALLIANCE is proud to announce it received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $7,500 to purchase 150 “goodnight bags” which will provide newly placed youth in foster care with basic hygiene and clothing items. Many youths in state’s care move from placement to placement, and usually do not have basic clothing or hygiene items with them on their first night in a new home.
ORPHAN CARE ALLIANCE serves vulnerable children and families by equipping, connecting, and mobilizing Christians to serve this population.
HOKC awarded $3.1 million in grants supporting 343 non-profits, impacting more than 3.8 million Kentuckians. Grants are made possible through donations from Kentucky Colonels from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world who chose to exercise the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel in a meaningful way.
According to Commanding General Gary Boschert: “2022/2023 was another generous year for Colonels. We were able to award another $3.1 million dollars to 343 non-profits this year that helps them support over 3.8 million Kentuckians. Kentucky Colonels generosity is heartfelt and well spent on worthy agencies across the Commonwealth. Our also long-term efforts in both western and eastern Kentucky are ongoing with funds remaining for each effort. We work with other agencies to ensure Kentucky Colonels money is spent wisely and deliver goods and products needed for the rebuild.”
About ORPHAN CARE ALLIANCE
Orphan Care Alliance is a 501c (3) organization that exists in Kentucky and southern Indiana to serve three different populations in the spectrum of child welfare. Each ministry area is attuned to the population being served and works to provide positive outcomes through our own programs and in collaboration with many other organizations.
OCA’s 3 ministry areas:
1) Life Coaching: mentorship program for youth in foster care
2) Family Support: Wrap around care for foster, adoptive, or kinship families
3) Family Preservation: case management and care of families that are at risk of losing their children to foster care. With a little support, many moms can stay stable enough for children to never be separated in the first place.
About the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels is a 501(c) (3) entity dedicated to supporting charitable activities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees. The “Kentucky Colonel” commission is an honorary title granted by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since 1951, the organization has pursued its mission through annual grants totaling $63 million to more than 1,700 nonprofits. Of those Colonels’ contributions, Each grant is thoroughly vetted by the trustees and staff. Though the corporate name is The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, most know it by its long-term trademark, KENTUCKY COLONELS. Visit kycolonels.org to learn more.
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Orphan Care Alliance Announces $10,000 Aetna Sponsorship
Aetna’s support will help empower communities to meet critical needs of Kentucky’s foster youth
LOUISVILLE, KY— (DEC. 14, 2022) Orphan Care Alliance (OCA) is pleased to announce that Aetna Better Health of Kentucky has donated $10,000 to support OCA’s innovative Gateway system, a web-based portal that connects needs in the foster and adoptive community with community members who can help meet those needs.
“The Gateway system is an incredible, innovative tool that empowers Kentuckians to help meet the needs of youth in foster care,” said Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of SKY. “We are grateful for OCA’s work on getting this system up and running and we are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with them on this project. This platform will go a long way in bettering the lives of Kentucky’s most vulnerable youth, as more Kentuckians—from case managers to volunteers—become aware of it.”
The Gateway portal, which launched in 2016, has helped thousands of Kentucky’s foster youth.
When families need specific goods or services, a case manager may enter a request through the portal, after which registered volunteers in their area receive a notification via email. Once a volunteer accepts the request, the case manager that posted the need will get an email with the volunteer’s phone number and email address so they can connect and resolve the issue.
In addition to meeting needs for requested goods and services, volunteers can also post offers—for instance, a bassinet or crib—that are sent to area case managers. If a case manager has a family that needs what has been offered, they can match the offer in the system to receive the item or service for their client.
The Gateway portal’s ease of use and effectiveness are noteworthy; the system has become the blueprint for similar programs in other states, including Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled to have Aetna’s support as we continue amplifying the reach of this incredible tool,” said Darren Washausen, Executive Director of OCA. “As more caseworkers, community volunteers and foster families become aware of this tool, we know the impact it has will grow exponentially. During this season of giving, we hope that even more Kentuckians take advantage of this portal and that OCA’s Gateway system makes it easier than ever before to help vulnerable families and youth across Kentucky.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Gateway Volunteer Network, or if you are a case manager in your community, please register today with OCA.
Video Testimonial from case manager Taja S.: OCA Gateway Testimonial on Vimeo
Orphan Care Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Louisville, KY serving all of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. They work to encourage, connect, and mobilize Christians throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana to care for vulnerable kids and families. To find out more, visit: orphancarealliance.org