Chances for Children sets up Haiti Renewal Fund

Jan 21 2010

While emergency efforts bring immediate relief to Haiti, Craig Juntunen, founder of Chances for Children, launched the "Haiti Renewal Fund" January 19. The fund, designed to assist in a fresh renewal of the devastated nation of Haiti, opens with an initial matching grant of $2 million from Jackson Hole residents Lynn and Foster Friess augmented by a subsequent $1 million from Childhelp, drawn from donations specifically designated to the fund.

"In a few weeks or months the enormous worldwide relief effort in Haiti will meet food, water and shelter needs, but what then?" said Juntunen, who will be raising additional monies for the fund.

Juntunen's Chances for Children foundation operates an orphanage near Port-au-Prince and last year placed 36 Haitian orphans in adoptive families. It will expand to meet the soaring number of newly-orphaned children and also encourage Cure International, an organization that operates hospitals in nearby Dominican Republic and Honduras, in its goal to open a new children's hospital in Haiti.

Water Mission International adds water purification units to the equation and Childhelp brings its 50 years of experience of serving five million abused children.  Phoenix attorney, sculptor and Cure International board member Marilyn Quayle; her husband former Vice President Dan Quayle and "Charlie's Angels" star Cheryl Ladd will advise Georgia-based National Christian Foundation, the fund administrator, on allocation of funds.

"So much well-intentioned funding is wasted in corruption and institutional overhead," said Juntunen, who serves without salary. "We are grateful for the oversight of these compassionate individuals and for the long track records of success and fiscal responsibility of the charities involved."

Juntunen authored Both Ends Burning, chronicling his personal transformation from a self-serving life to adopting three young children from Haiti in 2006 with his wife Kathi: Espie, Quinn and Amelec, who turned nine January 16th.

To have someone like Craig who knows all the players because of his love of and involvement in Haiti "creates a real marriage made in heaven," Friess said.

Checks written to "Haiti Renewal Fund/NCF" may be sent to the National Christian Foundation, 11625 Rainwater Drive, Suite 500, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 or by clicking here to donate online at http://www.haitirenewal.org.