First Bethany child served
Mary DeBoer and Marguerite Bonnema opened their first home for children
Since 1944, Bethany has grown and developed not only into a well-known adoption agency, but also a social services agency that serves and supports expectant parents, foster families, individuals and families in need of counseling, and struggling families and children who are in desperate need of even the most basic necessities. Bethany’s purpose is to demonstrate the love of Christ by equipping families to be the answer for children in need.
Read more about our origin story.
Current office opened
Bethany opened its office in Grand Rapids, Michigan
This space provided Mary and Marguerite, along with Andrew VanderVeer, with the ability to serve more children and families. The land and property first acquired to grow a local ministry is now home to Bethany’s Grand Rapids branch and the organization’s global headquarters.
Pregnancy counseling and adoption began
Bethany launched critical programs for children, families, and pregnant women
Mary Marguerite Guild formed
This women’s philanthropy group raised money for ongoing needs for kids
Named for Bethany’s founders, this group of women hosted events and fundraisers to provide clothing, beds, and other necessities for children living at Bethany Home.
Foster care contract signed
This first government contract allowed Bethany to serve kids in foster care
In 2018, we provided foster care services for 2,741 kids in the U.S.
First branch office opened
Bethany opened its first branch office in New Jersey
Bethany now operates more than 130 offices in 35 states across the U.S.
Find the location nearest to you!
First experience helping refugee children
At the height of the Cold War, America welcomed more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children as refugees
While many of these children had a family member in the U.S. who could care for them, nearly 8,000 did not. Bethany was one of several organizations that helped those children find U.S. foster families.
Birth mother support group formed
Support groups help birth parents at any point in the adoption journey
Support groups provide a valuable opportunity for birth mothers to connect with others who have placed a child for adoption and wrap around each other with love and understanding. Bethany’s Post-Adoption Contact Center can help birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families find a local or virtual support group.
Family counseling program begins
Bethany provides expert support for families, couples, and individuals
Bethany’s counselors are clinically certified and work with clients to ensure their spiritual, emotional, and mental health goals are addressed in a timely and helpful manner.
Learn more about our counseling services.
Name changed to Bethany Christian Services
As Bethany added more services, the organization grew beyond a home for children
With emerging services in foster care and refugee resettlement, and growing numbers of branch offices around the country, Bethany needed its name to reflect the whole of its mission.
Began refugee foster care
Refugee foster families in the U.S. provide a home for unaccompanied minors who have often been separated from their families for years
Today, over 40,000 families around the world are forced to flee their homes each day. Foster parents help refugee children feel safe, loved, and supported as they navigate life in a new place.
Learn more about refugee foster care.
International adoption begins
Children around the world deserve a loving home
Children living without a family or with emotional, physical, or cognitive challenges need a safe family. While international adoption is declining as countries build their own child welfare systems, we’re on the leading edge of providing adoption and foster care overseas.
Nationwide crisis pregnancy line established
Confidential, 24-hour help line for parents facing unintended pregnancies
Every year, Bethany helps thousands of expectant parents think through their options and make a plan that is best for them and for their baby. Only they can make the decision, but they don’t have to make it alone.
(800) BETHANY
Family sponsorship begins
Bethany first offered this program in South Korea
Now, we offer this groundbreaking program in Albania, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Haiti as well.
Learn more about family sponsorship.
Caring Connection grant established
This grant helps families adopt children with special placement needs
More than 2,000 children have been brought together with loving families through Bethany’s Caring Connection grants
Bethany Review became LifeLines
And in spring 2020, we’ll launch the newly designed Bethany Magazine
Published twice a year, the new Bethany Magazine will feature a new, modern layout and content highlighting the many ways Bethany families care for and protect children—through adoption and foster care in the U.S.; through foster care, adoption, and family preservation around the world; and foster care and resettlement for refugees and immigrants.
ADOPTS program formed
This grant from HHS provides intensive counseling for kids who have experienced trauma
Through family and individual therapy, parent groups, and child and adolescent groups, ADOPTS supports children and their parents with education and caring intervention to help each family thrive.
Learn more about ADOPTS.
Received Hague accreditation
This indicates best practice, accountability, and credibility for Bethany’s global operations
Bethany is proud to maintain its Hague accreditation status.
Began partnership with Safe Families for Children
Safe Families recruits voluntary Host Families to provide temporary care for families in crisis
Today, we offer this ministry in 24 branches and recently surpassed 10,000 hostings.
Learn more about the Safe Families for Children ministry.
Began family preservation and empowerment
Poverty, disease, violence, and catastrophes often put immense pressure on families, jeopardizing their ability to stay together.
Nearly 90 percent of the world’s orphans have at least one living parent who cannot afford to safely care for them.
Began foster care overseas
Bethany first offered foster care in Ethiopia and China
This represents our shift toward championing family-based care instead of orphanages.
Learn more about foster care around the world.
Launched Post-Adoption Contact Center
Offers ongoing resources for everyone involved in adoption
Today, the Post-Adoption Contact Center provides help with navigating open adoptions and searching for birth family, as well as consulting, coaching, and counseling programs. We understand adoption is an evolving experience and that everyone deserves support.
Center for Community Transformation opened
Created opportunities for youth to advance their education, gain work experience, and build relationships
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Center provides youth with employment guidance, educational support, leadership and mentoring experience, life skills classes, and community engagement.
Began global refugee work
Entered refugee camps in Gambella, Ethiopia and opened a welcome center in Colombia
These facilities provide psychosocial and mental health services to families struggling with grief, trauma, and displacement. They also provide basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene, first aid kits, and safety for children and pregnant women.
Launched new brand
Bethany’s new brand better articulates our passion to help more vulnerable children and families worldwide
More than a logo change, our new brand captures our commitment to boldly and authentically serve the world’s overlooked and forgotten. It is an invitation to join a movement to change the world through family.