Ezra's World

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Co-creating a world where 

children grow
up with the
love and care
of family.

view our model

Every child has the right to grow up in a loving, safe home.

Sadly there are millions of children growing up in institutions or on the streets.

Poverty is the primary underlying cause of family breakup resulting in children living in places harmful to their wellbeing. 

Research shows that early intervention services can
prevent families from falling apart.

At Ezra’s World we find brilliant leaders around the world who are committed to creating change in their own communities.

They lead local organizations with a proven track record of keeping families together.

We invest in these leaders and their organizations through grants that enable them to reach more families at risk of falling apart.

You can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

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What We Do

first

we vet.

second

We Fund.

third

We Connect.

We provide funding to community-based organizations that offer holistic services to families at risk of separation.

We prioritize programs that provide multiple services like health, education, finance, housing, and employment to families in need. Research shows that a holistic model -- one that is rooted in the family unit and provides comprehensive services -- can provide a foundation for children, families and the community that can make a lasting difference.

click on a step to learn more about our process

We Vet.

We identify innovative organizations

with a proven track record

that are run by brilliant local changemakers

We Fund.

We fund our partners’ programs

over a number of years to maximize our impact

Yearly evaluations ensure our partners meeT their benchmarks

We Connect.

We connect our partners to others in the field

to share best practices and promote continuous learning 

So that they can all improve their work

we vet.

we fund.

we connect.

view our selection criteria

selection criteria for

Partner Organizations

Organizations must provide essential services that will help families stay together. They must:

  • Use a holistic model that meets the needs of each family.
  • Bring vital comprehensive services to the community that may include health, education, finance, home construction, and employment.
  • Know their community and live or work in the areas they serve.
  • Protect children and youth with a safeguard policy.
  • Interest in sharing their model and a willingness to learn from others with similar goals.
  • Can demonstrate that their work is effective.
  • Have local nonprofit or charitable status and can accept international funds or have a fiscal sponsor.  

We are especially interested in organizations with The following characteristics:

  • Their work centers around the principle that communities and families are the experts in their own lives.
  • They tap into local wisdom by mobilizing community networks.
  • When possible, services are embedded into public systems and facilities in a village to achieve sustainable change.
  • They are eager to measure the outcomes and impact of their work and excited to get better at it; they have already seen positive change from the work they do.

 We are not able to support:

  • Organizations that are not providing holistic services and focus only on one area of service.
  • Organizations without a successful track record.
  • Efforts to support or oppose candidates for public office.
  • Evangelism or proselytizing, or programs that require adherence to or conversion to religious doctrine.
  • Organizations that, in policy or in practice, discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability or sexual orientation.
  • Groups that conduct or support violent activities or violate criminal law.

Meet Our Partners

rwanda

Bamporeze Family Strengthening Project

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Rwanda

MindLeaps Family Strengthening Program

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cambodia

Cambodian
Children's Trust

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Bamporeze

Family strengthening project

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Bamporeze, which means “Help me to Comfort those who are crying”, was established after the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda where over 1 million people lost their lives.

The organization creates programs that help strengthen families by alleviating poverty and building resiliency. Over the past five years, Rwanda has seen a significant increase in family separation due primarily to extreme poverty and domestic violence. Bamporeze is positioned well to work in some of the poorest areas in Rwanda. 

They have found that the best ways to address extreme poverty, unresolved family conflict, and domestic violence is to create women’s support groups, family counseling, vocational and financial literacy training and coaching, and micro-loan programs. They train and support local community facilitators who are trusted by the community and can uncover risks that are hidden and find approaches that work.  

We chose Bamporeze because of their dynamic leadership and track record of success. 

Rev. Jeanne d’Arc Muhongayire is the founder and the Executive Director of Bamporeze Association. She is an inspiring changemaker dedicated to making a difference in the lives of orphans, other vulnerable children, and women.

visit the bamporeze website

"I no longer feel worthless and a burden to the society, the self-help group approach taught me the possibility of starting from small to achieve a great visions."

- program participant -

Vulnerable women from households experiencing domestic conflict coming together to socialize and learn more about women’s right to facilitate the healing process.

MindLeaps

Family strengthening program

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Mindleaps uses dance as an entry point to improve children’s social-emotional learning and stabilize their path to self-reliance.

MindLeaps maintains the belief that children need a stable loving family in order to thrive. They operate community programs from their permanent center in Kigali. Trained staff conduct home visits to determine which kinds of support will be most effective for families experiencing difficult domestic circumstances.

Their family strengthening program focuses on establishing and maintaining self-help groups for caregivers that teach basic skills and run savings-and-loans circles. They invest in small businesses, and teach women leadership skills.
Caregivers, parents, or guardians of children participating in MindLeaps meet weekly and are able to access money for their basic needs. In addition, Mindleaps invests in small businesses like tailor shops and convenience stores. They support women in creating vegetable gardens and caring for animals that can be sold in the market.

This well established program provides essential help to families, with the ultimate goal of helping caregivers support children at home.

visit the Mindleaps website

"At the [MindLeaps] center, vulnerable and at-risk children and youth from the community join the MindLeaps Dance & Data program, which targets critical cognitive and social-emotional learning skills."

Cambodian Children's Trust

Family strengthening project

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The Cambodian Children's Trust aims to eliminate the need for charity by building a social protection system run by local communities.

The Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT) is working to build a public social protection system in Cambodia, run by local communities to dismantle the structural causes of poverty through an initiative called The Village Hive Project. 

The CCT believe that the best way to prevent children from becoming orphans is to focus on prioritizing the strengthening of universal public services and building early intervention programs.

CCT is working towards establishing a Village Hive in ten communes and 62 villages in Battambang District that is owned and operated independently by a local council. With one Village Hive being set up per year, they are set to complete their work by 2032.

visit the CCT's website

visit the
CCT's website

"The Village Hive Project is built on a foundation of collaborative community engagements with the goal of eliminating dependence on charity and restoring local sovereignty."

TED TALK

Why we need to end the era of orphanages

Tara Winkler, Cambodian Children's Trust

Break the cycle of poverty charity.

Cambodian Children's Trust

Village Hive Explainer

Cambodian Children's Trust

Introducing our founder

Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase

Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase is the President and Founder of Ezra’s World, a U.S. foundation dedicated to strengthening community-based programs across the globe that work to uphold the vision that every child should belong to a family that can provide love, respect, security, and all the necessities of life.

Ezra’s World is founded on established International Development principles and is led by a founder with a forty-year track record of successfully developing and directing programs that serve children and families around the world. Joanie maintains a profound belief that all children deserve a loving family, uniquely positioning her to ensure that more children will know the love and joy of family.

Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase is the President and Founder of Ezra’s World, a global foundation dedicated to strengthening community-based programs that work to uphold the vision that every child should belong to a family that can provide love, respect, security, and all the necessities of life.

learn more

my name

Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase

Joanie Chase reminds me of my American Vermont roots; and Yafa Tshaynesh, which means beautiful light in Hebrew and Amharic, reminds me of my spiritual nature and my relationship to the world;, Rabbi reminds me of my commitment to spiritual leadership; and Tikkun Olam, which means-helping to bring more love and light into the world. My favorite name is Mom. It reminds me that there is nothing more important than Love!

I am the President and Founder of Ezra’s World, Director of Western Massachusetts Programs for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Rabbi and Spiritual Life Coach, and Wife and Mom. I have spent 40 years developing and directing programs around the world that empower children, families and communities to live joyful, meaningful and fulfilling lives.

I have a Masters in International and Community Development and have worked throughout the world. My work has taken me to meetings with Presidents of the United States and Spiritual Leaders in the most remote villages. Both thrilled me. I worked directly for a billionaire philanthropist, top business leaders, one of the leading rabbis of our time, and many brilliant wise children. My prayer is that through my work, we can bring more love, joy, and light to our planet.

more about me

Ezra’s World is founded on established International Development principles and is led by a founder with a forty-year track record of successfully developing and directing programs that serve children and families around the world. Joanie maintains a profound belief that all children deserve a loving family, uniquely positioning her to ensure that more children will know the love and joy of family.

next >

more about me

I am the President and Founder of Ezra’s World, Director of Western Massachusetts Programs for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Rabbi and Spiritual Life Coach, and Wife and Mom. I have spent 40 years developing and directing programs around the world that empower children, families and communities to live joyful, meaningful and fulfilling lives.

I have a Masters in International and Community Development and have worked throughout the world. My work has taken me to meetings with Presidents of the United States and Spiritual Leaders in the most remote villages. Both thrilled me. I worked directly for a billionaire philanthropist, top business leaders, one of the leading rabbis of our time, and many brilliant wise children. My prayer is that through my work, we can bring more love, joy, and light to our planet.

Back

"I traveled with Yafa to Rwanda, where we visited several organizations that were being considered for funding from Ezra's World. It was an incredibly moving experience: we gathered with women who were supporting each other in creating micro-businesses by pooling their funds to help each other to put food on their tables, pay their children’s school fees, and healing relationships with their husbands.

 We saw so much joy and love where there had been only despair. 

I know that my contribution to Ezra's World will make a genuine difference in the lives of children and families.
Yafa's commitment is an inspiration!"

- Rabbi Simcha Zevit -
WholeBeing Leadership and Life Coach

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How You

Can Help

Join us in creating a world where children everywhere have a loving family.

When you make a donation to Ezra’s World, 100% of your gift goes towards our mission of co-creating a world where children grow up with the love and care of family.

Make a Donation

When you make a donation to Ezra’s World, 100% of your gift goes towards our mission of co-creating a world where children grow up with the love and care of family.

Donate now

Fundraise

Host a house party; Connect us with potential funders; Highlight Ezra’s World on Social Media; Donate your Birthday - Change the world by asking for donations instead of gifts on your next birthday! It’s as easy as pie…or birthday cake!

Let's coordinate

Go on a Funder's Trip

Request more info

Eat, pray, love: Cambodia

February 5-12, 2025
For eight magical days, we will savor the finest delicacies, uncover secret recipes of Khmer cuisine, experience the power of meditation with Buddhist monks, explore an ancient temple and sacred cave, and engage in proactive community empowerment. Click here for More information.

rwanda

March, 2025
We Will visit family strengthening projects, Stay at the famous boutique Hotel called Heaven in Kigali, as well as Agahozo Shalom Youth Village located in rural Rwanda. Participants may choose to go on a safari to Akagera game park or a Gorilla trek.

Corporate Sponsorship

Did you know that thousands of companies match donations by employees? We are happy to help you work with your employer on matching your donation.

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Volunteer

You can make a difference for children and families by applying to be an intern or volunteer at Ezra’s World. We’re always looking for passionate, committed people to help us achieve our vision.

inquire about opportunities

Ezra’s World offers unpaid internships. By joining Ezra’s World during our start-up phase, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in how to launch a non-profit organization. Our President and founder has successfully developed organizations and implemented programs for forty years. Her work has been recognized by congress, the White House, and numerous corporations.

You will have the opportunity to work on some of the following projects:
  • Creating featured stories for our website
  • Organizing trips for funders
  • Implementing program evaluations
  • Developing marketing and fundraising materials
  • Researching funding possibilities
  • Applying for grants