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.
Vocational Training Uplifts 73 Women
By Anne Benavidez, Golden Hands Training Director (July 1, 2026) ER's Golden Hands vocational training program completed a successful partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global network of young leaders ages 18-40 who take action to change in their...
30 Years of Christmas: 200,000 Lives Touched
By Dawn Carnill, Director of Christmas Outreach (July 1, 2026) It’s going to be a very Merry Christmas! Meet Diana. She grew up in the garbage dump until the government relocated families outside the landfill. Now 40, Diana remembers the crafts, games and blankets...
Five Ways to Add Adventure to Your Life
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...
ER Celebrates 25 Years!
This year marks 25 years of Extreme Response as an legal charity! ER started when our founders saw heartbreaking need in the Quito Dump and were inspired by God to respond. By His grace, we have served faithfully in Ecuador ever since. Click here to watch a video...
Celebrating the Life of Joe Wendel
The following stories pay tribute to ER heroes - those who have lived sacrificially in order to serve others. We hope you are inspired by their lives. Today we honor the life of Joe Wendel. Joe and Julie, his wife, have invested deeply into the lives of countless...
Celebrating Beloved Volunteers
If you've met the McCann family, you've experienced compassion in action. Undergirded by their faith, Dan and Carol are a driving force in helping vulnerable people across the globe. Recently, we took a moment to say "thank you" to Dan, Carol, and their highly engaged...
Transformation Stories
Rebuilt Trust: Elie and Shane Rebound Meet Elie and Shane (privacy names) who live in Metro Manila. Their family once faced deep pain, separation and broken trust. They live in a small home built in a parking lot, supported by Elie’s husband who works as a jeepney...
Plane Conversation Leads to Surprise
We're constantly reminded that God provides in unexpected and beautiful ways. ER's Rachel Icenogle was on a flight when she met Caryn Jensen-O'Neill, whose husband Dr. William O'Neill is a member of the International Andreas Gruentzig Society (IAGS), a group of...
ER Canada Serves With Compassion
Photo: Sometimes, God calls us to sort clothing and food donations in South Africa! The team included Nancy and Wally Andres, Linda Cripps, Rhonda and Paul Babcock, plus ER's Nick Carnill. Five volunteers from ER Canada invested two weeks serving in South Africa. The...
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,...
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...
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...