10/13/2026
When we began working with children in 1938, things were far from simple. The world was still reeling from the aftershocks of World War I, and the rumblings of World War II were already in full swing. Approximately 58% of the world lived in extreme poverty. Meanwhile in China, where our organization got its start, children were facing mass starvation as a result of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Our founder J. Calvitt Clarke believed that every child, no matter where they were born, had inherent and immeasurable worth and value. He spent his life connecting compassionate people to children in China who needed extra support. That compassion later grew to encompass an entire world and multiple generations of changemakers.
Today, things remain far from simple. Conflicts still rage, putting children and their well-being in grave danger. Global poverty has been reduced but still causes a great deal of suffering. Children face new and daunting challenges, from online risks to extreme heat.
Some things never change, though—and as long as we’re focused on children, we’re making progress. These are the hills we’ll die on. 💯
