Liepaja Family Support Center
The Family Support Center was created as a response to the overwhelming needs of vulnerable families in the Naval port village of Karosta, which means “port of war.” Karosta is an isolated section of Liepāja separated by a canal built as a Naval port for the Russians. When the Russians abandoned the site in 1994 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was pillaged by the local population and occupied by families that needed a place to live. It quickly became an area that was plagued by all the challenges of poverty and isolation as the community is separated from more developed parts of society.
Orphan Outreach founded the the Family Support Center in 2018 as a response to the overwhelming struggles faced by children and their families in Karosta. The center addresses the various issues faced by at-risk families including alcoholism, domestic violence, unemployment, unsupervised kids roaming the streets, lack of education and kids who are behind developmentally.
The goal of the center is to strengthen families by equipping parents and children with the tools to develop healthy attachments and relationships with one another in order to protect children from repeating the same cycle. Ministry leaders saw that, while meeting practical needs is important, it is the lack of love, acceptance, sense of direction, and self-worth that children then carry with them into adulthood. That lack results in parents who do not know how to form healthy attachments with their children. The Family Support Center serves as a bridge, helping parents connect with their children, motivating them to improve their own lives, and assisting families to become strong and healthy.
The center focuses on three main areas: early intervention through baby classes for moms and their babies and toddlers up to age 3; individual support for children through Montessori classes and specialized therapies; and lastly case management support for families based on their unique, individual needs. Support for each family looks different and includes counseling, support groups for parents, assistance with navigating social services and the provision of material support such as food supplies, medicine, and school supplies.
Additionally, in 2023 work will begin with teenage boys and young men in the community who are often left on the streets with the temptation to get involved in unhealthy behaviors. There is a significant need to engage in activities that they find interesting and motivate them to productive activity that will be a benefit for them, their families and the community. We are partnering with a local pastor who has a heart to minister to these middle and older teens by building relationships, serving as a mentor for them, doing Bible studies, and teaching them how to stay active and healthy by working out together at a local gym.
J**** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: JOB
Julia unwinds by walking along the sea with her headphones in, and she lights up when she gets to spend time with a friend’s little son. She’s been building a new life in Latvia since leaving Ukraine, living on her own and working as a cleaner while keeping up with her lessons at school. This year she traveled back to Ukraine to visit friends and sort out legal questions, and she had to sleep in bomb shelters while she was there, so she’ll tell you plainly that going back for good isn’t possible right now. Her biggest goal right now is to learn Latvian well enough to be able to stay through 2028. By sponsoring Julia, you can create a meaningful, lasting impact in her life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-23575
M****** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 12
You’ll often find Markuss blowing off steam with a workout or any kind of sport, then meeting up with friends to celebrate the moments that matter. He’s been keeping up well with his lessons and earning strong academic results, even while adjusting to a heavier workload as final exams get closer. He doesn’t open up quickly, but when he does, he’s the kind of young man who listens carefully and treats people with real care. Markuss plans to serve 11 months in Latvia’s national defense service after graduation and then head to university, and he says he’s trying to follow Jesus even though he sometimes struggles. By sponsoring Markuss, you can help create meaningful, lasting impact in his life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25735
T***** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 12
Tomass feels most like himself in the gym, and this year he hit a new personal record on the bench press at 115 kg as he works toward bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions. Even after breaking his arm, he’s been determined to get back on track. We've seen his confidence growing, though he sometimes jumps into decisions and then struggles to follow through. He’s studying remotely right now and school has been hard, so he’s getting extra support and working to stay focused on his education when stress hits. He’s planning for university after graduation, possibly returning to Holland briefly to save money for school in Latvia. He continuing to follow Jesus even when it’s a struggle, and would be grateful to have you alongside him on his journey!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25736
D**** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: JOB
David’s usually happiest when he’s doing boxing drills, watching a basketball game, or having another session at the gym as he works toward his goal of gaining more weight for weightlifting. He’ll tell you plainly that he’s proud of how independent he’s become, even though he still worries at times about his family’s finances as they didn’t gain as much as he hoped this year. At home tries to look out for his brother and sister, even when it feels like more than he can handle. When school gets tough in a few subjects, he turns to his parents for advice, and when stress hits, he talks it out with family or friends. David believes in Jesus and has been praying for health and safety. By sponsoring David, you can create a lasting impact in his life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25738
M****** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 12
Martins has been using his discipline and focus to stay active in sports and long walks, and he’s proud of how much he’s been able to help with charity for Ukrainian refugees. After taking a break from school, he switched from a maritime professional high school, where he was training to be a ship’s helmsman, to a public high school, and he’s getting extra support as he works through some tough subjects. People around him trust him because he shows up and does his part, and he tends to lean on his parents’ advice when decisions feel heavy; Martins says he’s doing fine and is aiming for a future where he can earn good money, with the army as a possible next step, and he’d appreciate prayer for health and strength to graduate as he keeps asking honest questions about Jesus and praying about his education. He would be grateful to have a sponsor walk alongside him in his journey!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25850
R****** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 12
In the school kitchen, Rihards takes real pride in his training, and he’s been glad to be the one in his friend group who stays on top of studying as he prepares for a future as a chef. He’s the kind of young man his friends trust, and when school stress and self-doubt hit, he keeps showing up to lessons and leans on prayer instead of pretending everything’s fine. Outside of class, he likes to train, play sports, and relax with friends, and he enjoys celebrating special occasions with his family, who he sees often since he lives at home. As he works toward graduating in summer 2027 and looks ahead to internships, he’s focused on growing mentally and physically and continuing to follow Jesus closely in daily life. Rihards would be grateful to have a sponsor alongside him on his journey of living into his God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25851
D**** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 10
Dārta can spend hours sewing, loves playing volleyball, and she also likes unwinding with video games when the day’s done. Starting a new school this year meant learning her way around a high school and she jumped in boldly, making new friends! She’s keeping up with her lessons overall, but Latvian language classes are tough because reading takes extra effort for her. At home, she shares a small apartment with her parents and four siblings, and when she’s stressed she turns to prayer and tries to rely on her faith. She looks forward to graduating and figuring out what comes next, and would be honored to have a sponsor alongside her on the journey!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-25853
N***** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 2
Nikola loves doing crafts, especially when she can make something to share at a special family celebration. This year she’s been practicing independence, and the fear she used to feel about going to school and activities on her own is starting to fade. School is still hard in a few subjects, especially math, and it can be tough for her to speak up and ask for help when something goes wrong, so she’s getting extra support. She has made a close friend at school which is such a blessing! By sponsoring Nikola, you can help create a lasting impact in her life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26313
I******* in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 2
Imanuels likes a good challenge, whether he’s sketching at his new drawing club or trying to outthink everyone during family Monopoly night (he was proud to win this year). He’s been working hard at school and can now read books on his own, but focusing in class is still tough at times, so he’s getting extra support. At home, with eight children in the family now, including foster siblings, he does best when everyone slows down for meals together and is honest about what’s going on inside. Imanuels wants to grow up to be a football player! By sponsoring Imanuels, you can help this clever, determined, and capable boy live into his God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26314
S********* in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 3
After school, Sebastians loves getting outside with a friend to play floorball or football, and he’s been making good progress in his sports training this year. He’s the kind of boy who remembers to say “please” and “thank you,” and he works well with others, especially when a game takes teamwork. School is hard for him, and he’s receiving extra support because the way he learns makes schoolwork a challenge, so his team is also looking into whether a different program or school may be a better fit. At home he helps look after his sister, and he hopes his family will have steady work and income this year. Sebastians would be so grateful to have a sponsor walk alongside him in his journey!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26315
R****** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 3
Roberts is happiest when he’s on the move, heading to soccer training, riding his scooter, or sketching drawings when he’s ready for a calmer moment. He’s been working hard at school too, and his handwriting has gotten better, even though he still needs extra support with classwork. Roberts can get irritated quickly and has had conflicts with classmates, but at Miera Osta he’s been more steady and is learning to be honest with adults about what’s going on. With a new baby brother at home, he says he wants “peace and love in our home,” and after a recent Bible lesson he shared that Jesus helped him forgive someone. By sponsoring Roberts, you can help him live into his God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26317
S****** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 3
Samuels can get completely absorbed in modeling and crafts, and his hard work paid off when he won 1st place in a ship model competition! He’s also jumped into new floorball training at school and still makes time for skating, plus lively family nights of celebrating and playing Monopoly. With a busy home that’s grown to include up to eight kids, he’s been learning to take on responsibility. Samuels likes reading the Bible and learning about the world order, and while he does well in school overall, he could use extra help in a few subjects and a little more patience to stick with things like violin and other studies that don’t interest him yet. By sponsoring Samuels, you can make a meaningful, lasting impact in his life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26319
R*** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 3
After school, Ruta is happiest when she’s practicing contemporary dance steps or sketching something new, and she hopes to become a dance teacher one day. This year she danced on the big stage at the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, and she’s also been picking up books on her own as her reading gets faster. When a classmate needs a hand, Ruta is quick to help, even though she sometimes has to stay after class to finish assignments and still needs extra support in a few subjects. She recently had nose surgery so she can breathe properly, and is grateful to be recovering well. At home she shares a small apartment with her parents and four sisters, where the family loves celebrating special occasions. By sponsoring Ruta, you are making a lasting impact across generations!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26320
M**** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 4
Marta lights up when she gets to head outside to roller-skate with her friends and her cousin, and she also loves a fun outing to the park or cinema with her mom. This year she’s been proud of her schoolwork, especially math, crafts, and computer class, where she’s earned lots of 100's! Moving from the “small school” to the “big school” brought a new class teacher and harder subjects, but Marta keeps showing up and doing her best, and she works well with others in her social skills group. She says Jesus has helped her care for her family, and she thanks God most for their health and safety. One day she hopes to work as a waitress in a café, and would be honored to have you alongside her as she lives into her God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26322
N****** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 4
Nellija loves finding ways to celebrate special occasions, and she’s always dreaming up creative touches that help everyone feel included. At school, she’s been practicing standing in front of the class to share something new, and even though she’s struggling and needs extra support, she still sits down and does her homework dilligently. This year brought big changes with a new class teacher, a new school structure, and a new baby brother at home. Nellija shared that she hopes to become a designer one day! She thanks God for their health and safety, and she says Jesus has helped her feel brave in hard times. By sponsoring Nellija, you are helping create a lasting impact across generations!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26324
S******* in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 4
Samantha is happiest when she’s moving, whether that’s horse riding, skating, or swimming, and this year she even learned to play tennis with some new friends. Starting a new school without her sister has pushed her to speak up for herself and try connecting with classmates on her own, even when it feels hard. After being sick for a long stretch, she’s working through a pile of delayed schoolwork and getting extra support, and English has been one of her toughest subjects. Samantha says she wants to become a policewoman someday, and she shares that Jesus has helped her do better in school. She thanks God for her family and hopes their relationship with Him will grow closer. By sponsoring this confident, honest, and adventurous girl, you can help make a lasting impact across generations!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26325
P******** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 7
Patricija has been dividing her time between reading detective stories and practicing new moves at boxing training. She’s quick to tell you she wants to be a detective when she grows up! After starting at a new school, she’s made a point to include others, like the day she made a new friend and chose to play together. She’s done well in theater arts and earned a good grade in music, but math has been harder and she could use extra help staying motivated as she moves through her teen years. Patricija lives with a support person and visits her mother often. She thanks God for her family and says Jesus helps her feel brave in hard times. Patricija would be grateful to have a sponsor to walk alongside her as she lives into her God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26326
L**** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: 1
Laura loves being in the water, and she’s happiest when she can go swimming or take an outing with her family to watch nature and animals. At school in Latvia, she gets excited about simple moments like making a new friend, and her smile comes quickly when she gets to be around other kids. Laura is a special-needs student with delayed brain development, so reading is still hard and she’s taking school one step at a time, but she’s made real progress recognizing letters and gets extra classes at Miera Osta that support her speech and understanding of the world. When she thinks about the future, Laura says she wants to be a teacher! Her grandparents have been her guardians, and sadly on the January 1st her grandfather died, so the grandmother is the only provider for Laura and her 2 brothers. By sponsoring Laura, you can help make a lasting impact for not just Laura, but her family as well!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26329
A********* in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: Pre K
Aleksandrs is usually the first to suggest a round of hide-and-seek, and he loves settling down afterward to draw what he’s been imagining. This year he learned to read and has been practicing his numbers, and you can see it in the way he talks easily with other kids and works well with the group in class. Some days he gets distracted and pushes back on the rules, but he is working on being focused and respectful. At home, his family welcomed a new baby brother welcomed last September, and he loves celebrating special occasions with them. Aleksandrs often thanks Jesus for helping his family, and asks for God to help him learn to share what he has. By sponsoring Aleksandrs, you are helping create lasting change across generations!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26332
Z*** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: Pre K
Zane loves sitting down with crayons to draw and color, and she’s especially proud that she can write her own name all by herself now! She has a gentle way about her, and in a home with seven other kids she happily joins in when the family celebrates special occasions. This year, she’s learned to put her feelings into words instead of only crying. Even though a long stretch of illness that kept her down for a while, she is back to be happy doing gymnastics! Zane is doing physiotherapy for her posture, and is happy to see that it is improving! She’s learning that Jesus loves her, and she’s being taught to tell the truth. By sponsoring this lovable, gentle, and friendly girl, you are helping make a lasting impact across generations!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26333
M***** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: Pre K
Maksis loves to draw and paint, and he also enjoys making all kinds of noises and sounds while he plays. This year he’s been working hard in speech therapy, and it’s been encouraging to see his language grow and his courage come out more, especially as he starts to feel safe letting go of his mom and joining class activities. With a big family at home that now includes eight children, he enjoys going outside together, and at school he tries new games with the other kids and practices working with the group. Maksis is learning that Jesus loves him, and he’s practicing what Jesus has taught him by learning to share. By sponsoring Maksis, you are providing a lasting impact not just for him, but for his whole family!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26334
E***** in Latvia
Gender: Female
Grade: Pre K
Eimija loves going to the playground, and at home she’ll switch between playing with her brother and sister and joking around to get a reaction from her brother. She’s also learning courage in small ways; this year she made it through a dentist visit without crying! In kindergarten she does well, but she needs a little extra help in some subjects as she works on understanding new ideas. Eimija enjoys praying and singing to Jesus, and she hopes her family will grow closer to God. By sponsoring this joyful, gentle, and friendly girl, you can create a meaningful, lasting impact in her life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26335
G**** in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: Pre K
Ģirts loves building car roads with his brother out of Lego blocks, then making up stories about where the cars are headed next. This year he stood on a stage for the first time to recite a poem, and he even earned a diploma for his clear, expressive speech! Kindergarten is still a bit hard for him, but he gets extra support as he learns. He enjoys praying and singing to Jesus, and he’s learning to love others by listening to adults, being kinder to his brother, and practicing patience when things don’t happen right away. By sponsoring Girts, you can help him dream beyond his circumstances and live into his God-given potential!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26336
A******* in Latvia
Gender: Male
Grade: 9
Aleksejs feels most at home in the gym, and hitting a 100kg bench press this year is something he’s proud of. He also likes fishing and volleyball, and he enjoys celebrating special occasions with his family. He usually turns to his siblings for advice, since his older sister and brother are his guardians. After a long, severe bout of pneumonia, he’s been determined to keep up with his lessons and stay on track at school, and he’s even been making new friendships with interesting students. When you talk with him, you notice how carefully he reads the room, he says he adapts to people’s style. By sponsoring Aleksejs, you can create a meaningful, lasting impact on his life!
Sponsorship Code: LALFC-26472