The Emiliani Project is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are more than a nonprofit for children. We are a beacon of hope for abused and abandoned children, offering them a chance at a brighter future.
Our mission is to protect, nurture, and educate abandoned and vulnerable children, guiding them toward lives that are healthy, hopeful, and fulfilling—from childhood through early adulthood. We carry out this mission by caring for the whole child, ensuring that each one is provided with a safe and loving home, nourishing meals, access to education, medical care, emotional and spiritual support, and the stability every child deserves. We serve all children in need, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, or gender, recognizing the dignity of every child as a beloved creation of God.
The Emiliani Project is a nonprofit organization inspired by the life and witness of Saint Jerome Emiliani, the patron saint of orphaned and abandoned children. Living in Northern Italy in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Saint Jerome experienced the hardships of war firsthand as a soldier in the Venetian conflict. Captured in battle and imprisoned for many years, he underwent a profound conversion of heart, developing a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. After his escape, he answered God’s call to the priesthood and founded the religious order now known as the Somascan Fathers. Saint Jerome devoted the rest of his life to caring for children orphaned by war, establishing shelters and schools for them. He ultimately gave his life in service, dying after contracting an illness from those he was helping.
The founders of The Emiliani Project share a kinship with the spirit of Saint Jerome Emiliani. They are United States military veterans who served overseas, men who themselves experienced periods of struggle and distance from faith, and who now share a profound commitment to protecting and uplifting children in need.
As a focused nonprofit dedicated entirely to the well-being of children, The Emiliani Project strives to ensure that every donation has a direct and meaningful impact. Our Board of Directors serves on a completely volunteer basis and receives no compensation of any kind. We actively invite our donors and volunteers to participate personally in our mission, walking alongside the children and communities we serve. Every dollar given goes directly toward caring for children and building a future filled with hope.
Interested in going on a mission trip with The Emiliani Project?
Learn about travel to Colombia and upcoming mission trips.
