CLEVELAND, Tenn. (August 20, 2020) – OrphanWise Inc., a charitable organization that
equips adult caregivers to work with children who have experienced trauma, today announced
its official recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.
“As a young nonprofit, we’ve already accomplished so much,” said Katie Rinaudo, executive
director of OrphanWise. “Attaining 501(c)(3) status serves as an affirmation of what this
organization has already achieved and paves the way for us to continue moving the needle for
children from hard places and their families.”
Since its inception in 2018, OrphanWise has trained more than 150 caregivers in the United
States and Latin America in proven methods for helping children heal from trauma. Over the
course of the average year, these caregivers and professionals interact with a combined total of
more than 11,000 children, diffusing OrphanWise’s potential impact across varied geographic,
socioeconomic and demographic contexts.
OrphanWise trainings leverage Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), an evidence-based approach to addressing the unique needs of children who have experienced abuse,
abandonment, neglect, early hospitalization, bereavement and other traumatic events. A recent
training held at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., attracted more than 50 students and faculty
involved in the fields of education, psychology and social work.
“Learning how to work with children who have experienced trauma is a must for those entering
the teaching profession,” said Dr. JoAnn Higginbotham, Professor of Education at Lee
University and OrphanWise training participant. “OrphanWise provides excellent training, tools
and resources for our future teachers. Those participating in OrphanWise workshops have
learned how to apply Trust Based Relational Intervention to meet the deep needs of these
children.”
“In these unprecedented times, OrphanWise has consistently demonstrated its ability to reach
the families it serves where they are,” said Doug Pileri, board president of OrphanWise.
“Securing tax-exempt status enables us to assure all donors––including individuals who are so
important to our work––that they will receive full tax benefits for helping us to make a difference
for vulnerable children and their caregivers.”
About OrphanWise:
Utilizing proven interventions, OrphanWise seeks to connect the best tools and training to those
who work with children from hard places – both within the United States and beyond our
borders. Our vision is to work in partnership with organizations in the United States and in Latin
America to equip adoptive parents, foster parents, children’s homes, teachers, professionals,
and churches to work with at-risk and traumatized children in a way that promotes healing and
wholeness.
