Setting the gold standard in orphan care begins with strengthening the backbone of every orphanage: its dedicated directors and staff. The Orphan Care Training Institute, empowers caregivers, social workers, and professionals on the front lines of orphan care with the critical knowledge, skills, and tools they need to transform the lives of vulnerable children.
If you are currently serving orphans and would like to apply for one of our courses - we'd love to hear from you!
We believe in empowering those on the front lines serving orphans. Please tell us who you are and how you are making a difference by clicking the link below:
Leadership Training: Transforming Crisis into Hope Core Programs for Shaping the Future of Orphan Care
Director Training/Certification: This comprehensive 14-module training equips home directors with essential leadership and management skills. Participants gain expertise in government certification processes, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising techniques, staffing strategies, educational support, and more.
Director Development and Growth Training: This valuable training focuses on further developing leadership abilities. It covers critical areas such as financial accountability, local fundraising strategies, board development, and community engagement.
Transforming Orphan Care through Trauma Strategies/Certification: This intensive one-year training delves into childhood trauma, offering caregivers practical skills to address trauma-related behaviors. The program includes an implementation manual, recorded videos, presentations, and assessments, with a strong emphasis on relationship-building and hands-on training.
Basic Caregiver Training - The Peace Model: This introductory four-session course presents our childcare philosophy, focusing on the unique challenges faced by displaced children, and providing foundational skills for addressing the needs of vulnerable children.
Five Steps to Behavioral Change: Healing from the Scriptures: This scripture-based course promotes behavioral change through spiritual guidance. It addresses root causes such as fear and anger and provides coping mechanisms. With over two decades of proven effectiveness across cultures, it integrates spiritual and practical approaches to healing.
Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Surviving the Next 20 Minutes with a Child in Crisis: This six-session course equips participants with skills for managing crises, from verbal de-escalation to behavior management. It includes techniques for debriefing and strengthening relationships, aiming to support growth and recovery in challenging situations.
TOGETHER, LET’S IMPACT EVEN MORE HOMES
Join Us: Empower Caregivers, Enrich Lives. Your one-time or monthly donation will help orphanages worldwide set a new standard in global orphan care.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Led by a team of experienced educators and practitioners, our programs deliver impactful training, culminating in a Certificate of Completion for each participant.
Director Training Program
Gladys and Marco Aldana
Marco and Gladys have spent over 19 years leading Refugio de Esperanza orphanage in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where they've provided love, care, and support to more than 300 children, adolescents, and young adults. Their leadership has created a lasting legacy of care and empowerment, inspiring others to join their mission.
Marco brings a wealth of business expertise, holding a master’s degree in business administration and extensive experience in project management. He combines his professional skills with a deep commitment to social and religious initiatives, serving as a Pastor Exhortator in the Church of God in Bolivia and directing the Sustainability Program at Refugio de Esperanza.
Gladys is a passionate educator and advocate for children’s rights, with a strong background in child care, administration, and leadership. She serves as Vice President of the Refugio Esperanza Foundation and directs the Southern Cone Public and Social Advocacy Area for the International Church of God.
CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM
Dr. John Sweet, DMin
Dr. John Sweet is a leading figure in child welfare and caregiver support, with a distinguished career spanning decades. Since 2014, as Executive Director of Heart of Florida Youth Ranch, his leadership significantly increased the organization’s impact, serving a record number of children. His journey began in pastoral ministry, where he developed a foster care ministry that grew into a major program at Smoky Mountain Children’s Home.
A global advocate for children’s rights, Dr. Sweet has enriched over 70 orphanages across 45 countries as Lead Consultant to Church of God World Missions Orphanages and others. An accomplished author, Dr. Sweet's works, including Healing for a Hurting World, "Beyond the Walls, and Ascending to Your Dreams.
With a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Dr. Sweet's diverse roles as pastor, foster parent, law enforcement chaplain, and crisis intervention specialist have equipped him with unique insights, making him a sought-after consultant for orphanage organizations worldwide.
Trauma Care Training Program
Angela Bryan, MS, CMHC
Angela Bryan has worked with vulnerable children, families, and adults internationally and in the USA for over 25 years. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Trauma and a Bachelor's in Multicultural and Migrant Education, specializing in Family Counseling. An authorized TBRI® trauma-informed care educator, she is also a licensed Mental Health Therapist and EMDRIA-approved EMDR therapist.
For over 15 years, Angela has served on the HOHI board of directors. She managed HOHI’s child sponsorship program and developed its one-year Restoration of Hope-Trauma-Care Certification Program. As Director of Child Development, she trains staff in trauma-care implementation and mental health.
Beyond HOHI, Angela teaches trauma care and leadership workshops for professionals in education, law enforcement, military, healthcare, churches, and nonprofits. She is a certified Elijah House Counselor and has served in international missions since 1996 with organizations like Mercy Ships and Youth with a Mission, supporting refugees, trafficking victims, and vulnerable children and families.
RESCUE
Every child deserves to feel safe. Our rescue programs focus on meeting the basic needs of the children, nutritious food, access to medical and a safe place to call home.
LOVE
Every child deserves to feel loved. Our programs help orphanages create a loving family environment with a Christian Foundation of unconditional love.
RESTORE
Every child deserves the right to have their emotional needs met. Our trauma based training and funding for local psychologists and social workers facilitate healing from trauma.
EQUIP
Every child deserves the right to be taught skills for a successful future. Our transition program provides tutors, vocational/college scholarships, discipleship, life skills, and gifts assessments.
ARE YOU READY TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION?
Your one-time or monthly donation will help orphanages around the world set a new standard in global orphan care.