Featuring Clarke Stoesz, Founder, and Kris Stoesz, Executive Director, Ukraine Orphan Outreach
November 2022
Long before the world’s attention turned to Ukraine and the war that has changed the lives of many, Kris and Clarke Stoesz of Ukraine Orphan Outreach were working to change the lives of Ukrainian orphans. They believe strongly that Christians have an obligation to do as James 1:27 says and to care for the orphans.
Clarke and Kris Stoesz serve as the Founder and Executive Director of Ukraine Orphan Outreach, a non-profit organization in Northern Colorado that was created by adoptive parents and other individuals who have a heart for Ukrainian orphaned children. The organization’s mission is to reach out to older orphaned children who are often forgotten in the adoption process in order to help them step into their future and purpose. Ukraine Orphan Outreach accomplishes this mission by creating awareness of orphans in Ukraine and providing orphans with supplies and opportunities. A network has also been established by Ukraine Orphan Outreach to support those who are in the process of Ukrainian adoptions.
Even before starting Ukraine Orphan Outreach, Clarke and Kris were passionate about adoption and served as orphan advocates with a variety of organizations. Eventually their love and passion for serving the orphaned led them to adopt children from Ukraine who were in need of a home and a family. In 2003 they brought home their first adopted daughter Natalie who was three at the time they adopted her. Two years later, in 2005, they adopted their son Luke who was 7 years old at the time and his 9 year old sister Rhya. Other orphans from Ukraine have either found a home with Clarke and Kris or have been touched and impacted by their work and the work of Ukraine Orphan Outreach.
During the three trips to Ukraine during the adoption process for these children, Clarke and Kris were made aware of the situation Ukrainian children are in. Only about 10% of Ukrainian orphans are actually without parents, most orphans in Ukraine have been given up by parents who are either unable or unwilling to care for them. When one of these children turn 16 they are left on their own without any family or social support. These children then become victims of injustice, such as sexual exploitation to survive, or become perpetrators in order to survive.
Ukraine Orphan Outreach serves as a vital voice not only for Ukrainian orphans, but since the beginning of the war, for vulnerable Ukrainians impacted by war. They have built partnerships with Churches in the United States to support churches in Ukraine which help through prayer, sponsoring a van and driver to help with evacuation of orphans and families, hosting fundraisers to provide for food and medical supplies, and providing grant funds to cover costs of sending aid and operating in Ukraine during this time.
Whether in service for Orphans in Ukraine, their own adopted children, or supporting efforts in Ukraine during the war, Kris and Clarke serve as vital and effective advocates for justice.