CAFO GLOBAL NETWORK

About Global Network

The Global Network Team unites leaders worldwide, working together to strengthen local networks in their nations.

Global Network unites national faith-based networks around the world, bringing unity to a global movement.

Acting as a global backbone organization, the CAFO Global Network unites national faith-based backbone networks around the world through a shared Better Together vision: every child in a loving family, embraced within a collaborative community.

Affirmed by member networks, this Better Together vision focuses a global movement by providing common goals and shared measurements to achieve collective impact for vulnerable children and families in their own communities.

The Global Network strategy develops thriving networks to help them achieve the Better Together vision in their communities by investing deeply in the spiritual, professional, and relational development of global network leaders. These network leaders, in turn, offer development, equipping, and connection for local leaders and champions in organizations and churches in their midst, ultimately creating vibrant local collaborative communities. 

smiling family on sofa

Strategic Objectives

We focus on the following four areas:

Thriving Leaders

Pouring into global leaders spiritually, professionally and relationally.

Excellent Practice

Cultivating competency among peer leaders to implement excellent practices in the development of networks and in caring for vulnerable children and families.

Collaborative Communities

Equipping local networks to grow and work more effectively, drawing from the best examples and peer support from around the world.

Expanding Influence

Developing new networks throughout Africa and Latin America and providing English, Spanish and French language resources/services.

Meet the Global Network Team

Alex Cáceres

Global Coordinator

Alex Cáceres

Global Coordinator

Location:

Mexico

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Just one? Machu Picchu and The Louvre.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Reading and movies

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee!


More about Alex:

Alex is married to Mónica and they are parents to Alegría, Mónica Estrella and Samuel. They became a foster family 8 years ago and that opened for them a window to the world of orphaned and vulnerable children. God called Alex to become an advocate for OVC and, with his family, he started ABBA Adopción y Acogimiento Familiar to bring awareness to the Church in México and equip Christians to answer to God´s call to defend the cause of the fatherless, as well as to advance children´s right to belong to a loving and nurturing family in México. He also pioneered the creation of Cristianos Unidos por un México sin Huérfanos (CUMESH, Christians United for a Mexico Without Orphans), a nationwide network of churches, organizations and individuals committed to serve OVC. He has served also as Orphan Sunday National Coordinator in México and Orphan Sunday Coordinator for Latin America before taking up his current role. Alex lives with his family in Monterrey, Northeast Mexico, where he enjoys the mountains surrounding his home city.

Laura Cooper

Project Manager

Laura Cooper

Project Manager

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Norway

Favorite pastime activity: 

Traveling and running

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Laura:

With an abiding love for the nations, Laura serves as Project Manager for the Global Network. She is passionate about equipping and supporting those serving children in communities around the world, and feels blessed for the opportunity to take part in this work. Prior to her role at CAFO, Laura worked in non-profit development and education.

Laura and her husband Andrew believe deeply in marriage ministry and family preservation. They enjoy serving as volunteers in these ministries at their local church. Laura and Andrew are parents to three active boys (Perry, August, and Bowman) who keep them on their toes! As a family they enjoy travel and adventure!

Ade Olowo

Africa Coach

Ade Olowo

Africa Coach

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Bahamas

Favorite pastime activity: 

Watching NBA and college football games

Coffee or Tea?

Tea


More about Ade:

Ade, and his wife Jenni, are adoptive parents to Kiva and Isaiah. As a young believer, Ade was first introduced to orphans at the age of 21 in Nigeria at his church. This began his journey working with orphans in orphanages, serving as a house uncle to 15 boys and reconciling some of the boys back to their biological homes. Ade moved to the US in 2011 with Jenni and worked for a church; they now lead a foster care bridge organization.

Ade loves coaching African leaders in his role with CAFO Global Network and enjoys helping connect churches, NGOs and government leaders as they form active networks to support best practices of caring for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities.

David Hennessey

Director, CAFO Global Network

David Hennessey

Director, CAFO Global Network

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Ireland with my wife, Lisa.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Watching movies, hiking in the woods (not at the same time).

Coffee or Tea?

Tea.


More about David:

David left his professional career in 2005 to bring his business knowledge to international ministry.   David believes that combining passion for orphan care with a focus on ministry excellence creates profound impact for the fatherless.  It is with this conviction that he desires to inspire, equip, and connect local churches and ministries around the world to wisely and effectively serve orphans and vulnerable children, ultimately bringing glory to Jesus Christ.

David’s wife, Lisa, and five girls (all adults now) have personally served in Russia and Ukraine for six summers.  Through their YouthReach International efforts, the Hennessey’s met one of their daughters while living in Russia.  They were immensely blessed to be able to adopt her in the summer of 2008.  Their family continues to be involved in orphan ministry within their church, and one daughter has returned to the mission field with her husband to serve vulnerable children and families.

Prior to this role, David served as Executive Director for YouthReach International, an orphan mentoring ministry serving in Eastern Europe.  In this position, he pioneered an orphan mentoring program using local volunteers, encouraged US and international churches to support orphan care efforts, and streamlined operations for the ministry.  Previously, David served as Director of Professional Services for ScanSource, a bar-code and wireless data collection distributor, helping usher new technologies into a value-added reseller market. David joined CAFO in 2012 to launch the Global Movements Initiative, which has evolved into the CAFO Global Network.

A GROWING Movement

Global Network Timeline

Launched in 2012, the CAFO Global Network has grown to more than 50 member networks offering a global community, best practice resources and leadership development.

2012

CAFO launched the Global Movements Initiative to catalyze, equip and connect national orphan care movements.

2012

2013

  • 1st annual Collaborate forum
  • Almost two dozen leaders coached and 5 networks identified
2013

2018

Launched the CAFO Global Network with 31 network members.

2018

2018

Grew the CAFO Global Network to 48 member networks and equipped over 2,000 leaders

2018

2021

  • Launched Virtual Collaborate as a quarterly series to gather and equip over 400 global leaders
  • Broadened the reach of Collaborate forum to over 900 leaders through hybrid event (in-person, virtual stream and 13 LIVE connected locally-hosted Collaborate+ events)
2021

2022

  • Developed Better Together Network Assessment to evaluate the health and effectiveness of member networks
  • Grew hybrid Collaborate forum to almost 2,000 attendees in 20 locations
2022

2023

  • All 54 Global Network members affirm the Better Together vision, uniting the movement with common goals
  • 20 member networks hosting local  Collaborate+ events to connect LIVE to Collaborate global forum in Oklahoma City
2023

Join the Global Network community

Join our collaborative network committed to serving vulnerable children and families around the world.

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