Based in Kennesaw, Saving Susan is an organization that helps U.S. families sponsor orphans around the globe. Several years ago, they announced a partnership with Cobb Community Foundation to establish the Saving Susan Ministry Fund, which sponsors scholarships specifically for orphans they serve. This initiative aims to provide these vulnerable youth with the educational opportunities they need to forge a brighter future.
A Unique Focus on Global Impact
Saving Susan’s mission “is elevating care of the orphaned and abandoned in developing countries through local Christian partnerships. We partner each child with a loving Christian family, enrich their education, and support them holistically on their path to fulfilling God’s will for their lives.”
“Saving Susan has been part of Cobb Community Foundation for a couple of years now,” said Adam Reiley, Director of Operations, Saving Susan. “We initially had our funds at different places, but we felt that since we’re based in Cobb County, we should connect with the community here. We can impact Cobb County families by connecting them with a great purpose outside the county—caring for kids in need across the globe.”
The scholarship fund with Cobb Community Foundation is particularly vital as it targets a demographic with little to no options. “Many orphans end up facing dire circumstances such as trafficking, poverty, or incarceration. Statistically, 70% of them end up in worse-case scenarios,” Adam said. “Each child that gets partnered with a family benefits from our support all the way through the college application process and beyond. We help them through college or trade school, which makes a real difference.”
Currently, the scholarship fund is supporting 23 children, with 7 alumni who have successfully transitioned into careers as doctors, teachers, electricians, and bakers. “It’s incredible to see these young adults thrive after overcoming so many obstacles,” Adam said.
Strengthening Community Connections
The partnership with Cobb Community Foundation has opened doors for Saving Susan. “They are so well connected in the Cobb community. They’ve attended our events and helped us network with potential donors,” Adam explained. “In fact, we were a stop on a recent bus tour organized by the foundation, which allowed us to showcase our work to other nonprofit leaders and potential supporters. It’s a unique opportunity that other foundations might not offer.”
Saving Susan’s commitment to orphans is not just a mission; it’s a calling. “We helped a young girl named Miriam in Guatemala. She spent the first five years of her life in a children’s home, during which time the home went through four different caregivers. This constant change made her even more vulnerable than she already was as an orphaned girl. When she graduated high school, her orphanage was sold-something we did not even know was possible. She faced significant risks during this time, but our community came alongside her in a strong way. Four years later, she graduated with a nursing degree from a Christian university in Guatemala. At her graduation, we learned she was only one of nine from the original class of 32 to complete the program. This highlights the difficulty young adults in Guatemala face when pursuing higher education. When we have stories like that, it reinforces why we do what we do,” said Adam.
A Year-End Opportunity to Celebrate and Give
Saving Susan would like to invite the community to celebrate their mission and 10-year anniversary at the Saving Susan Ministry Gala: “Celebrating Milestones.” This special evening will be held on November 7 at Primrose Cottage in Roswell. Tickets can be purchased here.
And as the holiday season approaches, Saving Susan is encouraging contributions to their scholarship fund. Through partnerships like the one with Cobb Community Foundation, Saving Susan is not only providing essential educational opportunities to orphans but also fostering a spirit of community involvement and support. Learn more at www.savingsusanministry.org.
