About Bethany

Founded in 1944 on the simple but powerful principle that every child is made in the image of God, we are the largest Christian child and family organization in the U.S. Motivated by our faith, we serve clients through foster care, adoption, refugee and immigrant services, and family strengthening services.

While the ways we serve may change over the years, our why remains the same: We believe children belong in families, and every child deserves to be safe, loved, and connected. When people of faith and compassion come together to help children and families thrive, we all thrive.

So that’s what we do. Our core beliefs are simple: We love God and we love people.

Our vision

Bethany envisions a world where all children, youth, and families are safe, loved, and connected.

Our mission

Bethany demonstrates the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families through quality social services.

In FY2024, we served 47,146 children and families in the U.S. including:

4,010 receiving post-adoption services

2,689 through partnership with Safe Families for Children

2,498 refugees beginning new lives

239 expectant mothers reveiving counseling services protecting their unborn children

Bethany: A place of refuge

Our founders, Mary and Marguerite, chose to name our organization after the biblical town, just outside Jerusalem. Bethany is where Jesus’ friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, opened their home to him. He found community there. He was loved there. Welcomed there. And he received rest there, away from the crowds. Today, we want everyone to know that Bethany is a place where followers of Jesus continue to offer love, welcome, and refuge to children and families that need it most.

380,000 children are in foster care right now

For us, that’s unacceptable.

The challenges facing children and families in the U.S. are greater than ever. Increasing demand for foster care, rising numbers of unaccompanied minors, and the ongoing mental health crisis underscore the urgency of our work as it threatens the safety of children and families staying together. Bethany is going where the needs are, with specialized programs designed to address these realities.

Your support changes lives

More often than not, the world can feel unjust. But what if, instead of feeling helpless, Christians chose to meet the needs of their communities by simply putting themselves in proximity to those in need of safety and solace?

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

About Bethany Christian Services