History

THE ER FOUNDING STORY

For generations, struggling families in Quito, Ecuador built informal settlements in the city’s garbage dump, living off the limited resources around them. In the late 1990’s, Jerry & Dawn Carnill were serving as missionaries in Quito when they saw these families living and working in the dump. Driven by compassion and faith, they reached out to the community through informal kids clubs. The parents responded positively when they saw volunteers shower love and care upon their children.

As the clubs grew, so did support from friends and volunteers. It became clear that if the recycling families were given an opportunity – and the right tools – they would have a much brighter future. In 2001, generous support for the community allowed the Carnills, along with close friends Russ and Gina Cline, to formally establish Extreme Response International (ER). Today ER is a global humanitarian organization, headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia with offices in Ecuador, The Philippines, and South Africa.