From Relief to Restoration
Meeting physical needs matters—but it’s not enough. True transformation happens when caregivers are equipped to walk with children toward healing and wholeness in Jesus.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” —James 1:27
THE PROBLEM
A Global Crisis for Children in Distress
Across the world, millions of children growing up in adversity experience abuse, neglect, exploitation, and loss. Many have lost one or both parents. Many more live with caregivers who love them deeply but lack the tools to help them heal.
Without safe, equipped caregivers, their futures are at risk:
– Loss of stability, education, and opportunity
– Greater vulnerability to neglect, abuse, and exploitation
– Lifelong emotional, spiritual, and developmental wounds
In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 70% of young people have experienced at least one form of childhood trauma, and one in four have faced three or more. (Violence Against Children & Youth Surveys, 2023). For these children, trauma isn’t an isolated event. It shapes their whole story.
Teachers, pastors, and relatives long to help—but trauma can leave even the most devoted caregivers feeling helpless and alone.
While relief can meet physical needs, only healing can restore hearts and set children free to thrive.
That’s why RiverCross exists—to help caregivers move beyond relief to restoration, equipping them to walk with children facing daily hardship from trauma.
THE SOLUTION
How We Help Children Thrive
At RiverCross, we believe every child deserves to be treasured—and that true transformation begins with the people already in their lives.
Our simple but powerful model—Equip → Lead → Thrive—multiplies healing through relationships. When caregivers are trained, they become the bridge between trauma and healing, helping children grow in safety, faith, and hope.
Healing flows through relationships. From one trained leader to the next, restoration spreads as local leaders train, guide, and care within their own communities.
TRAINERS EQUIP
RiverCross Trainers conduct immersive, story-based workshops that help participants understand trauma, resilience, and healing through the lens of Scripture. Facilitators learn how to use our Bridge to Freedom audio drama to establish RiverCross Clubs.
FACILITATORS LEAD
Once Facilitators are equipped in the RiverCross method, they can lead Clubs using any RiverCross program, including Bridge to Freedom. Additional audio dramas—such as Jabota Bridge and future series—build on the same proven framework, giving leaders flexibility to serve their communities with relevant, Christ-centered stories.
CHILDREN THRIVE
As caregivers grow and children are protected, communities begin to thrive. Churches, schools, and families become centers of flourishing where children and treasured and trauma is no longer accepted as a way of life.
Through this relational, trainer-led model, healing spreads person to person and community to community.
As Trainers multiply Facilitators and Facilitators walk with children, families are restored, faith is renewed, and communities change from the inside out.
“When caregivers are equipped, children can heal—and whole communities are transformed.”
—Tino Rusike, RiverCross Regional Field Coordinator – Southern Africa
OUR PROGRAMS
How RiverCross Turns Training into Transformation
Our work takes shape through three connected programs that move from creation → implementation → mobilization—each multiplying healing through relationship.
Together, they form one continuous movement of hope:
RiverCross Resources
develops the tools.
RiverCross Training
equips the leaders.
RiverCross Advocates
mobilizes the movement.
Through every program, RiverCross helps caregivers and leaders bring Christ-centered care to children navigating adversity—transforming trauma into resilience, despair into hope, and isolation into belonging.
Experience How
Story Heals
Listen to a short preview from Bridge to Freedom—one of the RiverCross audio dramas that help caregivers and children explore healing and hope through story.
Want to experience more?
When you request the full episode, you’ll receive:
DISCUSSION GUIDE
A downloadable discussion guide for personal or group reflection.
EMAIL SERIES
A three-part email series unpacking how story and faith work together to bring healing.
BRIDGE TO FREEDOM CONVERSATION
A 45-minute conversation between Cindy Finley, Executive Director of RiverCross, and Bryan Gouge, Compassion International’s Director of Mental Health—exploring the how Bridge to Freedom actually equips caregivers and sets vulnerable children free to thrive.
Ready to go Deeper?
Join our next Discovery Group—a five-week guided discussion designed for those exploring RiverCross as partners or advocates, or simply wanting to learn more about RiverCross.
Every Story of Healing Begins with Someone Who Chooses to Care
Whether you give, pray, or partner, you’re helping children in adversity find hope and healing in Jesus. When you join RiverCross, you become part of a global story of redemption—one where caregivers are equipped, children are treasured, and communities are transformed by the love of Christ. Together, we’re crossing barriers of pain with the hope of restoration.
Rewrite a Child’s Tomorrow
From caregivers in rural villages to leaders across Africa, RiverCross is equipping the right people with the right tools to help vulnerable children thrive.
We’d love for you to be part of this story—multiplying healing and hope for children in distress.