For over 13 years, Nigeria staff have dreamt of opening a trauma-informed, Back2Back-run school for the children they serve. The hindrance to making this a reality has been a lack of relationship and resources. In early May, staff, U.S.-based site Director, and community members gathered as ground was broken and construction commenced on Nigeria’s very… Read more
Back2Back knows that in order for children to flourish, more than just their physical needs must be met. The five-point child development plan each site and partnering home uses allows more than physical care to be provided. Educational opportunities and support are just one step in allowing children to move toward sustainability and breaking generational… Read more
The four young men led Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back, around their home. For three of them, it was the first time they were giving a tour of what felt like their own space. The four Hope Program students in Haiti were animated as they showed Todd around, opening the doors to their rooms,… Read more
The sun was shining brightly at 12 Stones Resource Center as families gathered in small groups for different workshops. The newly installed soccer field held a physical education class where families moved their bodies together; in the kitchen, flour particles clung to countertops and hands as a family baked; outside, Adam Gellenbeck, Back2Back staff, led… Read more
The Back2Back Transitions Program is designed to provide life skills training and support for teens transitioning from one level of education to another, or from college to independent living. It is a key part of the holistic care provided to each child served as they pursue dependence on Jesus, interdependence in their communities, and independent… Read more
A common practice Back2Back supports is making positive deposits into a child’s belief system. Children and teens from hard places often have belief systems that reflect abuse, neglect, and harsh words from their history. In providing holistic care, dedicated caregivers see the hurt a child or teen has experienced and work to help repair the… Read more
Hanna Firstenberger, Back2Back staff, held a bucket of water in one hand and a tangerine in the other. She smiled at the faces gathered around her on the floor as she dropped the tangerine into the water. They watched together as it floated to the surface. “Why did it float?” she asked her class, and… Read more
The island in the middle of the kitchen and the round, white tables just outside it are becoming sacred ground. What was once simply a church in Price Hill has become a gathering space for children after school to play games, eat food prepared specifically for them, and to connect with both their peers and… Read more
The normally bright room has the curtains drawn, an overhead projector is running. Each teen sits in front of their own laptop, as they navigate learning a new computer program called Microsoft Word. In late January, Lucson Jeannot, Back2Back staff, kicked off a computer programming class for the Hope Education Program students. He saw early… Read more
The children stood in a line behind Rick and Lisa Bursey as they waited to cross the road. Their eyes were wide, taking in the busy street, the different colors of cars, and the random stray dogs that sauntered past them. “Look!” “Check this out!” “Oh, wow!” bursted from their mouths as they waited, as… Read more