How East Heights United Methodist Church’s United Women in Faith Are Creating Lasting Impact for Children and Families
At EmberHope, we are continually reminded that meaningful change happens when communities come together with compassion, consistency, and purpose. One group that beautifully embodies this spirit is the United Women in Faith from East Heights United Methodist Church — a faithful collective of women who have supported EmberHope through recurring monthly giving for the past two years.
Their commitment is more than generosity. It is a steady presence of hope for children and families in Sedgwick County who need it most.
A Relationship Rooted in Conversation and Shared Purpose
The connection began in Spring 2025, when Associate Director of Development Charissa Wall reached out after seeing the church’s longstanding generosity within the community. With the support of Pastor Sam, Wall had the opportunity to meet directly with the United Women in Faith group and share more about EmberHope’s mission and upcoming initiatives focused on improving the lives of children and families.
That conversation sparked something powerful.
After learning about the ongoing needs of youth impacted by foster care, trauma, and family instability, the women felt deeply moved to act. Their response was intentional and lasting: a commitment to give on a recurring monthly basis.
Why Consistency Matters for Children and Families
For the youth and families EmberHope serves, hardship is rarely a one-time event. Trauma, transitions, and instability often unfold over time — and meaningful support must do the same.
Recurring monthly donors like East Heights UMC’s United Women in Faith provide stability and sustainability that allows EmberHope to respond consistently. During seasons of economic uncertainty, predictable support creates confidence and ensures that essential services continue without interruption.
As Wall shared, sustainable funding means we can walk alongside families week after week, not just in moments of crisis, but throughout their entire journey.
The Real Impact of Recurring Giving
When a child suddenly enters foster care, the needs are immediate and ongoing. Clothing, school supplies, hygiene items, transportation support, and case management are not one-time expenses. They are part of a continuous system of care designed to restore dignity and stability during chaotic transitions.
Recurring gifts help fund:
- Ongoing case manager support
- Foster parent training and retention
- Immediate placement needs for youth
- Continued support for foster, adoptive, and kinship families
Monthly donors create a financial cushion that allows EmberHope to respond quickly without waiting for a special appeal. More importantly, they help ensure youth are not bounced between overwhelmed systems and that families feel seen, valued, and supported — not forgotten.
For children who have experienced instability, that consistency sends a powerful message: you are not alone, and you are supported for the long haul.
A Faith-Driven Commitment to Community Care
What makes the United Women in Faith group especially inspiring is the heart behind their giving. According to Wall, this is a group of passionate, faith-driven women who are deeply invested in caring for children and families in their community.
Their values closely align with EmberHope’s mission — acting boldly in love, pursuing justice, and transforming communities through compassion and action. Rather than simply acknowledging the challenges children and families face, they choose to respond with tangible support and steadfast commitment.
Their monthly giving is, in many ways, ministry in action.
Strengthening the Entire Community Through Partnership
Partnerships like this go far beyond financial support. They represent shared ownership of a community-wide responsibility.
“Development work isn’t just about dollars, it’s about belief,” Wall shared. “Knowing that a faithful group chooses to give month after month affirms the importance of our mission, encourages our staff and case managers, and reinforces that the community stands behind this work.”
Churches and small groups understand the power of consistent presence. When they commit to recurring giving, they are not just responding to a crisis, but rather they are committing to the journey alongside vulnerable children and families.
Even a modest monthly gift of $25, $50, or $100 becomes transformational when groups come together in steady generosity. This type of support allows EmberHope to budget confidently, retain qualified staff, and expand services across Sedgwick County and beyond.
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder for Children and Families
For Wall, partnering with East Heights United Methodist Church’s United Women in Faith is deeply meaningful. It represents a community standing shoulder to shoulder with EmberHope, united by a shared heart for children and families who have experienced instability.
Their faithfulness reminds us that lasting change is built through consistency, compassion, and collective action.
Get Involved and Make a Lasting Impact
You don’t have to be a large organization to make a meaningful difference. Churches, small groups, businesses, and individuals all play a vital role in creating stability for children and families in our community.
When you choose to give monthly, volunteer, or partner with EmberHope, you are helping ensure that support doesn’t disappear when a crisis fades — it remains steady, reliable, and life-changing.
Ready to get involved?
Consider partnering with EmberHope through recurring giving, volunteering your time, hosting a donation drive, or becoming a community partner. Together, we can bring healing, stability, and hope to children and families who need it most — not just once, but every single day.
