The Keeping the Promise Fund was originally created out of just that, a promise. Upon the adoption of our second son, my husband and I visited "Baby House #6" in St. Petersburg, Russia. We played and visited with a group of thirteen young children there for nearly a week. Saying goodbye was not easy. They had bonded with us and did not want us to leave. As we inevitably said goodbye, I whispered a promise to them. I promised to help them in every way that I could for the rest of my life.
Together with a newly formed Board of Directors, I have outlined a set of goals for the Keeping the Promise Fund. Our immediate goal is to begin raising capital for practical and desperately needed upgrades for a select group of orphanages in the St. Petersburg area. These upgrades include new fences, window screens, equipment and school supplies.
Our long-term goal for Keeping the Promise Fund is to finance the opening of a facility in Moscow for teens who have "aged out" of the orphanage system. These teems will undergo an admission process, in which they will need to meet certain criteria, provide recommendations and make a commitment to a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.
This type of facility does not currently exist in Russia, leaving teens with a potential hopeful future no choice but the street in most cases. The Keeping the Promise Fund will offer daily living skills, job placement, substance abuse services as needed, and recreational facilities.
