History
In the summer of 1997, while living in Quito, Ecuador, Extreme Response founders Jerry and Dawn Carnill felt compassion to help the children of parents living and working in the city’s garbage dump. They knew if those kids were given an opportunity and the right tools, they would have a much brighter future. Together with friends, they began reaching out to the dump families through kids’ clubs.
During the next five years, support for this work grew, cumulating with Extreme Response launching as a 501(c)(3) international humanitarian organization serving in Ecuador. Today, we also operate programs in South Africa and the Philippines.
Sept. 2021
Limpopo Dream Center launched in South Africa
Aug. 2021
L327-Fitness launched to mentor youth in Fish Hoek
Feb. 2021
Brad McKenna joins ER as President & CEO
2020
ER responds to COVID pandemic with computer labs & feeding programs
May 2020
New logo launched with “Building Pathways of Hope” theme integrated into design
2018
Pathway For Hope program launched near Manila
Dec. 2016
20th Anniversary of the Quito Dump Christmas party
Jan. 2016
Dream Center opens in South Africa
2015
Golden Hands Livelihood launched for women in Manila
Jan. 2015
Africa Region Office opens in Fish Hoek, South Africa
Jan. 2014
Manila Children’s Home opens
June 2013
Asia Region Office opens in Manila, Philippines
2013
Quito Women’s Resource Center opens (now known as Quito Family Resource Center)
May 2010
U.S. office opened in Snellville, GA
Christmas 2008
Christmas celebrations for 14,800 in Ecuador, SA, Philippines, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nepal
Dec. 2006
Medical Clinic opens at Dump location
2006
ER Canada is established by Paul & Linda Cripps
April 2006
Dump Daycare Center opens – one child (Veronica) first day – many to follow
2006
Leader Mundial is formed by Russ Cline
2006
ER buys building in North Quito – renovates for offices and work team space
Christmas 2004
Ron & Barb Cline lead the first ER Christmas team to South Africa. 6,100 people attend in Quito & Cape Town
Dec. 2002
Original Zambiza dump is closed – people scattered
Sept. 2001
First team to Living Hope to work on the clinic in Masi (Mike Carnill, Dale Meier & Jim Witt)
2001
ER is registered as a 501(c)(3) in the State of Georgia, USA
Christmas 1997
First Annual Christmas Party at the Dump – 500 attend – put on by the Carnills, Clines, HCJB and Alliance volunteers
Nov. 1997
First Kids’ Club in Dump – Carnills, Beth Kinzel and high schoolers from Alliance Academy
June 1997
The first team (At Any Cost from Sacramento, CA) and the Carnill family enter the dump and pass out fruit and bread
March 1997
Jerry & team from Grace Fellowship Church, Lilburn GA stop to take a look at the people working and living in the Quito Dump in Zambiza