Stories
Scroll below to read inspiring stories about people like you who are fulfilling their purpose by empowering the poor. Subscribe to our ER Newsletter, via the link in our footer.
Quito Dream Center Celebrates Family
What a day! In late June, dozens of families from the Quito Recycling Community gathered for an incredible time of celebration. Nearly 100 people participated in our First Dream Center Family Day, including kids and their parents. It was especially joyful for the...
Ven Pours Out the Care He Missed as a Child
There, in the heat of the kitchen, Ven finds warmth, not just from the stoves, but from the smiles of the children he helps feed. With every meal, he pours out the care and compassion he once longed for as a child. Ven carries a life story that speaks of deep...
Man Camp Brings Out the Best in Youth
Remember when you explored the great outdoors? You felt refreshed, healed and hopeful. That was the case for seven teen boys from the Fish Hoek Dream Center (FHDC) who participated in our first-ever Man Camp. ER's Ron Townsend, Nick Carnill, Wayne Ferreria and Kosea...
Lena Overcomes Strife, Finds a Path for Life
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Prov. 22:6 When nine-year-old Lena (privacy name) stepped into the Quito Dream Center three years ago, her world was shrouded in sadness. The move from Latacunga to Quito,...
Imelda Now Has a Future
Pathway for Hope is not just an organization; it brings hope to jobless women and provides opportunities to discover and strengthen hidden skills and interests. I am beyond blessed to be one of the lovely ladies in the dressmaking group. (Imelda shares her story in...
Celebrating the Clines: Getting Your Hands Dirty for God
This story celebrates the invaluable role Russ and Gina Cline have played in Extreme Response as co-founders. Today, Russ is the Managing Partner of The Barnabas Group and he continues to lead Leader Mundial, a movement of leadership development around the world. Gina...
Volunteers Share Their Christmas Joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHvv3RrYDfA By Dawn Carnill, Director of Christmas Outreach This year we saw great impact on many levels. Children who are new to our Dream Center programs experienced their very first Christmas party. Their excitement was...
Five Ways to Find Adventure in 2025
Add fun and fulfillment to your life this year. Pack Your Bags for Ecuador Create or join a short-term team headed to Quito where we operate a Dream Center and a Women’s Program. Your time there will be filled with fulfilling volunteer work and you’ll experience the...
The Ripple Effect of an Abundant Life
Once, Jaque could barely take care of herself as a recycler in the Quito Dump. After the shocking death of her sister-in-law, she and her husband now are providing life-giving sanctuary for three young boys. What changed? Grab a drink and read her inspiring story to...
Theresa’s Life is Forever Changed
Theresa is a remarkable woman who lives in the deep south of South Africa. Originally from Zimbabwe, Theresa works as a nanny in Fish Hoek. As a single mom with two sets of twins ages 13 and 6, Theresa has spent many days stressing over how to support them. In 2018,...
Kilroy Found Joy in His Journey
Kilroy once had a bright future as a college student, but at age 20, his life took a downward turn when he fell into drugs. That same year, he became a father to two children. His battle with addiction led to the breakup of his relationship. Heartbroken, Kilroy sank...
Anita Is No Longer Alone
Recently, Jaque shared her uplifting story for our Make Your Ripple year-end fundraiser. Below, you’ll be by inspired Anita, also a member of the Quito Recycling Community. Four months ago, Anita Gaucho dragged herself to a workshop at the Quito Women’s Program. She...
Woodside Follows the Multi-colored Brick Road to San Carlos
Tim and Mallory O'Day were part of a 30-person short-term team from Michigan-based Woodside Bible Church that volunteered with ER in Ecuador last month. Below, they share their personal highlights. "While we both have served individually on mission trips to Ecuador,...
Lena: From Home Alone to Hopeful & Confident
Lena (privacy name) is seven, charismatic, sociable, and very curious to learn how things in her environment work. Her family emigrated two years ago to Quito from another province in Ecuador in search of job opportunities. Lena is an only child who has attended the...
Dream Centers Give New Life to Families
Maggie Shifts from Fighter to Student Leader When Maggie's (privacy name) joined the Cavite Dream Center, she was a typical kid from the streets of Metro Manila. She fought with the other kids and used foul language. After a few months, we saw a big change. She...
Compassion Helps Shy Kufara Boldly Pursue Her Dreams
“On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” – Psalm 138:3 (NASV) Do you remember the moment you conquered a fear? When you went from terrified and unsure to bold and confident? Maybe it was when you first joined a competitive...
Bridge Church Serves with Passion in South Africa
The Bridge Church of Miramar, FL continues to serve vulnerable people living in Ecuador and South Africa via short-term mission teams. This team poured into the kids at the Fish Hoek Dream Center by helping them with homework, doing crafts, and serving fun food. Carol...
Victor Experiences Dramatic Life Change
Victor (privacy name) came to the Fish Hoek Dream Center like most kids -- a bit broken. He had potential written all over him, but struggled in school and faced chaos at home. How would he find a path forward? Fortunately, Victor leaned into tutoring and mentoring....