Our Story
In 2011, a University of Texas at Arlington study abroad trip to Eastern Europe birthed a deep desire in team members to help children in area orphanages. After meeting some family members of the largest Eastern European family with over 50 adopted children, conversations between Chris Burgin, founder and CEO, Dr. Tatiana Baeva, Director of International Operations, and others led them to seek ways to render change. They set out to encourage and empower Eastern European university students to help orphans develop life skills in order to escape the poverty and hopelessness that often awaits them.
Through area leaders, teams of in-country volunteers are organized to reach orphans and vulnerable children. Allies trains and invests in teams of volunteers to work with local orphanages and in needy areas around the world. As mentors, these volunteers build relational bridges, model the character of Christ, and teach life skills to the orphans through the Allies Mentoring Program. Allies uses this proven methodology as a foundation for long-term success in the lives of children.
It was our first visit to the orphanage and one boy, Andrey, 12 years old, was running after us half of a kilometer, only to make sure to take a promise from us that we would come back again. Lots of tears were running down his face and we were crying with him." -An Allies volunteer
Children often enter orphanages with nothing more than what they carry, frequently lacking in education and life skills. Allies intervenes and provides not only physical needs, but also relevant programs that enhance mental, spiritual and socio-economic development. This is an indispensable work empowering orphans for success in both education and life.
Who Do We Serve?
74
COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
313
ORPHANAGES
26,086
ORPHANS & VULNERABLE CHILDREN
407
ADOPTIVE FAMILY + FOSTER CHILDREN
4,799
CHILDREN IN SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES
2,147
IN-COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS
*updated May 2025