2024
Impact
Report
Your generosity brings healing to children and families impacted by trauma.
Because of your kindness and generosity, children and families are finding hope, healing, and lasting connection. We are so grateful for you!
From despair to hope and sorrow to laughter, the stories represented in these pages are living testaments to changed lives.
We have a front-row seat to seeing beauty birthed from brokenness. I am more convinced than ever: the power of relational connection can bring healing to the broken places of our stories. At every level, our work is about relationships—with those we serve, with one another, and with you. These connections are foundational to everything we do. Nurturing our relationships and holding fast to our vision demands courage, conviction, and commitment.
The vision before us isn’t simply aspirational; it’s revolutionary. We are striving to influence a shift from a fractured welfare system to one centered on the well-being of children and families. Relational connection must become the standard, not an afterthought. Disrupting the status quo is never easy, but our children are worth it.
Bringing light to broken places is not for the faint of heart. It’s a bold, holy endeavor that requires us to show up every day with unwavering determination. Let’s stay the course, fueled by the knowledge that we are changing family trees, creating a legacy of hope for future generations.
Real connection brings real change.
Jenni Lord
Go to JenniLord.com to learn more.
2024
Highlights
In 2024, Chosen reached new heights in serving families and advancing our mission. From expanded programs and training to new funding and partnerships, these highlights showcase our impact in 2024.
Direct Care Overhaul
Served 1,640 individuals, with 70% successfully completing our parent-directed programs, demonstrating the effectiveness of Chosen’s approach.
Funding Wins
Received funding from Heart Galleries to support post-adopt families across Texas, as well as an initial investment for the “Displacing Shame” training series.
Training Expansion
Delivered nearly 6,000 training hours to 1,164 participants and advanced the “Displacing Shame” series on problematic sexual behaviors by filming the introductory course, with plans for a Learning Management System release in 2025.
Service Enhancements
Secured Chosen’s largest grant from Humana Foundation to launch an enhanced model serving the greatest at-risk youth in San Antonio and Houston.
Thought Leadership
Expanded reach through 10 partnerships and 12 podcasts, boosting referrals and training. Partnered with Proverbs 31 Ministries to engage 6M+ people.
New Partnerships
Partnered with Edgewood Ranch (FL) and New Life Residential (TX) and secured MSW internship partnerships with University of Texas at San Antonio & University of South Florida.
15 Year
Anniversary
In 2024, Chosen proudly celebrated 15 years of life-changing impact for families. This milestone offers a moment to reflect not only on the difference we’ve made since 2009, but also on the heart and vision that have guided us from the very beginning. What started as a grassroots dream has grown into a nationally recognized organization—a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening families. Looking back at our early beginnings reminds us of the transformative power of connection and renews our determination to serve the next generation of families in need.
History + Timeline
2009
Chosen began in Jenni Lord’s home with a $500 gift from another ministry funding its first website.
2010
Six volunteers organized a marathon, raising $100,000 to support over 1,000 adoptive families.
2012
Chosen hosted races nationwide, funding nearly 400 adoptions and 100 global orphan care projects.
2015
Chosen shifted focus from funding adoptions to helping children heal from trauma.
2017
Chosen adopted telehealth, expanding nationally to provide support for families across the country.
2020
Chosen diversified its revenue model, with training and expanded programs, reducing reliance solely on philanthropy for sustainability.
2022
Chosen’s “Moonshot Vision” established to standardize trauma-responsive and relational connection in a well-being system.
2024
Chosen’s 100k Strong initiative aims to help 100,000 people heal, expanding content and national trainings like Displacing Shame.
2017
Chosen adopted telehealth, expanding nationally to provide support for families across the country.
2020
Chosen diversified its revenue model, with training and expanded programs, reducing reliance solely on philanthropy for sustainability.
2022
Chosen’s “Moonshot Vision” established to standardize trauma-responsive and relational connection in a well-being system.
2024
Chosen’s 100k Strong initiative aims to help 100,000 people heal, expanding content and national trainings like Displacing Shame.
Bridging The Gap
Every family deserves the chance to thrive. At Chosen, we step into the gap where support is often hard to find, offering families hope and a path forward.
We believe healing is possible, and through our personalized, trauma-responsive approach, we help foster, adoptive, kinship, and reunified families navigate challenges and create lasting connections. Together, we equip families with the tools to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and transform their homes into places of peace, joy, and resilience.
National Statistics Show Us...
66,000
Each day from 2008 to 2020, an average of 12 children (66,000 total) faced broken adoptions and entered foster care, according to a USA Today report.
100%
Every child in foster care has experienced—or will face—trauma and challenges that can leave a lasting impact.
Nearly 50%
Nearly half of foster families choose to step away each year, often due to the emotional, physical, and mental challenges they face, compounded by a lack of support.
62%
62% of children entering foster care were removed from their homes due to neglect, making it the leading cause of placement.
Markers of
Influence
This approach to healing isn’t easy, but it works. Recent surveys of families served show that:
From Child Welfare to
Child Well-Being
At Chosen, we are challenging the status quo of the child welfare system by championing a shift toward child well-being. Our vision is to prioritize connection, attachment, and holistic family support, transforming the system to focus on more than just physical safety. We believe in Real Connection. Real Change. We are building a future where children thrive through healing, connection, and strong relationships. By equipping professionals and advocating for this change, we’re paving the way for lasting, positive impact in the lives of children and families.
The Challenges
Physical safety isn’t enough.
The child welfare system focuses on physical safety, but that’s just the beginning. Children need more to thrive—connection and attachment to trusted caregivers. We work with families to help children experience healing and well-being.
Therapy isn’t enough.
Many foster care and adoption interventions focus solely on the child, often relying on therapy without supporting the whole family. We believe healing shouldn’t fall on the child alone. Caregivers are essential to the healing process, so we equip them with trauma-responsive tools to foster connection and healthy attachment—proven paths to true healing.
Trauma-informed isn’t enough.
We train our care managers and social workers to be not only trauma-informed, but trauma-responsive in their approach. We equip them with a deep understanding of how trauma affects child development and guide them on how this should change the way we interact with the children we work with to help them heal.
Tracking encounters isn’t enough.
The status quo tracks encounters, but we focus on healthy outcomes for the whole family. We aim to equip the entire family and prevent issues like hospitalization, placement disruption, and other ongoing challenges. Our approach may not always be the easiest or fastest way, but it is the way that works.
Stories of Healing
But there is hope.
Read how real connections is bringing real change to families.
The Miller Family
The Monroe Family
The Hill Family
Change is possible
Our Model of Care
Transforms Lives
Youth-Directed Services
We serve at-risk youth, teens aging out of foster care, and those in challenging transitions. Our mission is to help them heal from trauma, build lasting connections, and achieve stability. Our mission is to meet these youth where they are, ensuring they feel valued and supported while preparing them for safe, thriving futures. Our care includes:
- Personalized Coaching
- On-Site Support
- Relational Tools
- Guided Transitions
- Stability Planning
Parent-Directed Services
We serve foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, and reunified parents with programs to help them connect with their children. We empower caregivers to build strong, healthy connections and attachments with their child while equipping them to lead change in their family. Our model of care includes:
- One-On-One Parent Coaching
- Personalized Care Management
- Practical Skills and Resources
- Crisis Support
- Clinical Assessments
Professional
Trainings
We equip caregivers and professionals with practical skills and a deeper understanding of complex topics through a trauma-informed lens. These training sessions offer an in-depth look that will help parents pursue connection with their children. Our training offerings include:
- Displacing Shame: Addressing Problematic Sexual Behavior
- The Intersection of Trauma and Adolescence
- Creative Correction for Relational Connection
- Rewiring Connection: The Science of Blocked Care
- Understanding Big Behaviors: Brain-Based Insights
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)
Chosen was proud to partner with Angel Studios for the film Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
This inspiring film shares the true story of Donna and Reverend Bishop Martin, whose unwavering love and leadership transformed their East Texas community. In 1998, their church came together to adopt 77 children from the foster system, creating a ripple effect of healing and hope that continues to inspire today.
The film sheds light on the urgent need for stable, loving homes for children in foster care—a mission that resonates deeply with our work at Chosen. Just as Sound of Hope highlights the power of connection and community, we see every day how relational healing transforms even the most challenging situations. No child is beyond hope of healing.
By partnering with Sound of Hope, our goal was to amplify this story of resilience, love, and the profound impact of healthy relationships. We hope it inspires others to take action, unite for children, and create lasting change for those in need.
Your Gifts Are Creating
Real Connection.
Real Change.
Thanks generous community. Families are being strengthened, connections are deepening, and lives are being transformed each and everyday.
Humana demonstrated remarkable generosity by awarding us one of the largest gifts in our history.
This significant grant is a cornerstone of our new enhanced model of care in Houston and San Antonio, empowering us to address the critical needs of high-acuity youth in foster care—an often-underserved population within the child welfare system.
With Humana’s support, our enhanced model provides wraparound family support, including individualized plans, practical caregiver tools, and lifeskills training for youth, equipping them for success and fostering healthier family connections.
Thanks to Humana’s generosity, this transformative initiative will promote healing for older youth who are at risk of aging out of foster care without relational permanency.
HEALING IS HAPPENING
A Note From Our
Board Chair
As we reflect on the past year, my heart swells with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible strides Chosen has made in 2024.
Our mission to help children, youth, and families heal from trauma through healthy relational connections has reached unprecedented heights, thanks to your unwavering support.
We witnessed over 1,600 individuals experience transformative changes, with families effectively completing their programs, demonstrating the effectiveness of Chosen’s approach. We expanded our services, forged new partnerships, launched a new training series, and enhanced our national thought leadership— all in a bid to support vulnerable children, youth, and their families.
These accomplishments underscore our unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive support to families. The stories and our data represented in these pages testify to the lives changed—from despair to hope and sorrow to laughter, reaffirming the power of relational connection in healing.
As we celebrate 15 years of impactful service, we are reminded of the resilience of the families we serve and the transformative power of connection.
Our vision continues to aspire to revolutionary change to improve the well-being of children and families.
Chosen’s enthusiastic team of staff and leadership, our incredible community and corporate partners, an amazing board of directors, and your generosity have made this possible. We look forward to continuing this journey together. Thank you for being an integral part of our Chosen community and for helping us create lasting change.
Lorraine Jaimes Martinez
Growth
Opportunities
As we enter 2025, we are inspired by the growth and impact we can achieve and look forward to reaching and serving even more families on their journey toward Real Connection. Real Change.
Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our reach and explore new avenues to support families. Through collaboration with partners, program expansion, innovative thought leadership, and the ongoing dedication of our team, we are confident that the future holds even greater opportunities to empower families and transform lives. The journey toward connection and change continues, and we are grateful to have you alongside us every step of the way.
100k Strong
The 100K Strong campaign is a bold initiative aimed at helping 100,000 people heal from relational trauma.
By focusing on connection and equipping caregivers and professionals with the necessary tools, we are creating real change for children and families. Two key strategies will drive us toward this ambitious goal:
Thought Leadership
Chosen’s thought leadership encourages us to share insights, educate others, and invite collaboration to transform trauma care. By addressing the root causes of trauma, we help prevent challenges like placement disruptions and adoption dissolutions, leading to improved outcomes and lasting healing.
Content & Training Expansion
We are expanding our content and training to equip caregivers and professionals with the practical skills and deeper understanding needed to address complex, often overlooked topics through a trauma-informed lens. Our training sessions provide in-depth exploration of these essential subjects, empowering parents and professionals.
2025
Annual Goals
Launch New Programs
Roll out an enhanced model of care that offers wraparound support and services for families with high-acuity youth.
Content and Training
Expand national training and content offerings to drive program effectiveness and increase our impact.
Re-Accreditation
Chosen’s model is nationally accredited. Re-accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA) happens every 4 years. This milestone helps us maintain our quality standards.
Tech Overhaul
Integrate new technology platforms, update workflows, and provide comprehensive staff training to enhance organizational efficiency and service delivery.
Full Branding Adoption
Roll out updated branding across all internal and external channels, ensuring full staff adoption and alignment with Chosen’s mission.
Pro Development
Offer ongoing professional development opportunities for staff, promoting continuous learning and staying current with industry trends.
OVER THE YEARS
Previous Reports
Thank you for your partnership.
You made this impact possible.
Your support has been a driving force in making lasting impact for families, and together, we can continue to create meaningful change.
