DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2007--As the AIDS epidemic alone claims the lives of millions of parents in impoverished nations, Orphan Outreach, a new social service charity, is debuting in Dallas to reach out to children in need around the world. The non-denominational Christian-based organization is launching its Web site www.orphanoutreach.org today, providing a virtual link between volunteers, churches, overseas staff and donors meeting the spiritual, physical, emotional and educational needs of orphaned children.

The passionate team of six Orphan Outreach founders brings strong professional backgrounds and more than 52 years of collective orphan ministry experience gained, in part, from work at Buckner International, one of the country's largest private social-care organizations. Their extensive knowledge of foreign childcare systems and effective activation of church and volunteer bases is enabling the new non-profit to begin its work in Russia, India, Guatemala, Honduras, and other areas at-risk, especially for AIDS.

"An estimated 143 million of the world's children are orphaned or homeless. Our team is dedicating our work to reaching out to those who are in dire need of help and hope," said Michael Douris, MABS, president of Orphan Outreach. "Many live simply for today with futures dulled by illiteracy, poverty and illness. Orphan Outreach will directly minister to these children to provide for a brighter tomorrow."

Orphan Outreach will primarily concentrate on early intervention efforts and improving the lives of orphans living in sub-standard conditions, with the hope of impacting the cycle faced by at-risk children through:

-- Developing Christian schools for at-risk children in order that they may develop spiritually and educationally and be prepared for adult independence

-- Providing families for homeless children through Christian foster care

-- Equipping churches, as well as individual Christians, to minister to distressed orphans through mission trips, volunteerism and both monetary and in-kind giving opportunities

-- Enhancing the quality of life for orphaned children by providing key humanitarian aid

-- Improving orphan living conditions by remodeling existing orphanages and establishing new ones

-- Partnering with private NGO's and governments to develop best child care practices in the framework of least restrictive care and developing preventive and aftercare programs

-- Providing medical and dental care to children who are orphaned or at-risk of being orphaned

-- Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through the outward demonstration of Christ's unconditional love

"It is hard to describe the tremendous needs of the orphaned children we meet through mission trips. This new organization will provide Americans a way to reach out to others around the globe through activism, donations and prayer," said Blair Pogue, a founding board member whose family's Pogue Foundation is among the donors providing seed money to launch Orphan Outreach.

Other founding board members include Steve Spencer, president, Windsor Corporation, and Wilson Williams, president, Williams Investment Group. Major financial contributors include Brian Patterson, managing partner, AIG/Lincoln Russia, whose real estate development work in Russia has exposed him to the AIDS epidemic and the needs of orphans throughout the country.

Orphan Outreach has filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to be recognized as a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The organization is located off LBJ Freeway in Dallas, Texas. For more information on Orphan Outreach, please visit www.OrphanOutreach.org.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Orphan Outreach

Orphan Outreach

Orphan Outreach is a ministry totally dedicated to glorifying the Lord in reaching out to the orphans He loves thoughout the world. Orphan Outreach is focused primarily on orphans that have been affected by the AIDS crisis. Our approach is early intervention and improving the lives of those children living in substandard situations. James 1:27 describes our passion, motivation and commitment. The uniqueness of each child should always take precedence as that is how God loves us - as unique individuals created by Him for His glory. In addition, our prayer is that each staff, volunteer and donor who is a part of this ministry have a burden to serve the Lord and the children He loves.

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