From Hardship
to Hope
How one boy’s journey led to healing, connection, and a restored family.
During Give to Lincoln, your gift is multiplied through a community matching fund—helping us reach even more vulnerable kids like Caleb.
At just 14 years old, Caleb already has a testimony of redemption following years of heartbreak.
Before he found his forever home, Caleb’s world was marked by uncertainty. Moving from home to home left him guarded, unsure of whom he could trust or where he truly belonged. That finally changed when he was welcomed into the home of Jeff and Molly.
“When Caleb first entered our home, he had a lot of self-doubt and was nervous, moody, and confrontational. He had been through so much,” they said.
From the very beginning, Jeff and Molly were intentional. They didn’t just offer Caleb a place to stay—they offered him a place to be known. Through steady encouragement, clear boundaries, and unwavering love, they created an environment where Caleb could finally exhale. For the first time in his entire life, he felt safe. His walls began to slowly come down.
“If I were able to go back in time to tell myself anything before I was adopted by Jeff and Molly, I’d tell myself there is a God who loves me and life will get better. My faith has grown so much because of how they remind me I’m not alone. I am so happy to have Jesus and loving parents by my side.”
– Caleb
A second-chance at childhood
Jeff and Molly noticed it in the small things early on—more eye contact, a willingness to listen, a softer tone. Over time, those small changes grew into something more profound. Caleb became more respectful, more focused, and increasingly motivated to work hard in every area of his life including school, athletics, and his relationship with Jesus.
“It is such a change seeing him wake up happy every day ready to experience this second chance at childhood,” Jeff and Molly told us.
One of the biggest ways they have supported Caleb is by encouraging his love for football, whether that be watching Husker games or shining on the field himself. Hearing your family yell your name from the sidelines sounds different to a kid like Caleb.
It sounds like hope—it sounds like home.
And nothing can be more motivating than knowing you have a family who won’t miss a single play in your life moving forward.
Your generosity helps us reach more kids like Caleb.
When you give through the Give to Lincoln fundraiser, you help us become eligible for community matching funds.
Healing for the whole family
Something we often see through Christian Heritage is an even broader picture of restoration. Gospel-centered care can mean more than just serving vulnerable children—it can also mean extending the hand of grace like Jesus and inviting the bio parents into the beautiful story.
After years on her own journey, Caleb’s bio mom is now sober and living a much healthier life. Jeff and Molly have embraced her transformation. Rather than distance and pain for Caleb, there is now healing and connection.
Together, they are writing a story that once seemed impossible—a story of reconciliation, growth, and hope.
And at the center of it all is Caleb, a young man everyone is cheering for.
This story is based on a real family and situation. Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy.
Because of partners like you, we can support families like Caleb, Molly, and Jeff.
Give through the Give to Lincoln fundraiser between May 1-29 and you’ll help Christian Heritage receive community matching funds
GIVING BY CHECK?
To qualify for a matching gift, make your check out to “Lincoln Community Foundation” and write “Christian Heritage” in the memo line.
Mail to:
Lincoln Community Foundation
c/o Christian Heritage
215 Centennial Mall S Ste 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
