SOS Children's Villages: A Brief History
In 1949, during the aftermath of World War II, as Europe faced the immense task of rebuilding, a small group of committed individuals identified a pressing need: thousands of children had lost their families and were at risk of growing up in institutional settings that lacked the warmth and connection essential for healthy development.
Motivated by the urgent needs of children and young people without parental care, they pioneered an innovative model of alternative care focused on nurturing stable, family-like relationships, ensuring they could grow up with a sense of security and belonging. This approach was built on the powerful belief that every child deserves the bonds they need to become their strongest self.
Their initiative was highly successful, and the organization grew quickly, becoming the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages International in 1963.
First, SOS Children’s Villages and youth facilities were established throughout Europe.
In the 1960s, programs expanded into Latin America and Asia, starting in Uruguay, South Korea and India.
In the 1970s, programs expanded into Africa, starting in Côte d'Ivoire.
In the 1980s, programs expanded into the Middle East, starting in Lebanon.
- In the 1990s, programs expanded into North America.
SOS Children’s Villages is recognized worldwide for its care model and child-focused approach. Over the past 75+ years, we have supported millions of children and young people through an ever-evolving range of programs adapted to contextual and cultural needs.
Today, our member associations, led locally in over 130 countries and territories, work to strengthen families experiencing hardship so they can stay together. When staying with their family is not in a child or young person’s best interest, we provide them with quality care and support adapted to their unique needs, experiences and culture.
We advocate to help build a sustainable future for all children and young people. We put them at the centre of our actions to support the Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing that every child and young person has a right to be included in global efforts to make sustainable development a reality.
SOS Children’s Villages has received numerous awards, including the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the “Women of the World” award and sixteen Nobel Prize nominations.
Canada becomes a member of the International Federation
From left to right: visitor, Susan Fisher (staff), Joseph Messner (Executive Director) and visitor, circa 1990s.
SOS Children’s Villages Canada was founded in 1969 by a group of Canadian leaders, including public officials and human rights advocates: The Right Honourable Emmett Hall, The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé, Former Attorney General Otto Lang, and Chair of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Gordon Fairweather.
For many years, SOS Children’s Villages Canada was run entirely by volunteers, with notable contributions from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Messner. Born in Europe, the Messners were well acquainted with the work of SOS Children's Villages and Joseph Messner, as Director of the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, had extensive experience in child protection.
SOS Children's Villages Canada grew and evolved into a national office in Ottawa, with staff working on projects across the globe. At home, we engage Canadians, advocate for children’s rights and raise funds to support children and families in need worldwide.
To learn more about our work, access our impact reports and stories.
Some highlights of notable past endeavours
SOS Social Circus programs in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru and South Africa helped hundreds of children heal from trauma and develop life skills vital for healthy relationships, academic success, and future employability.
The SOS Children’s Villages Regional Humanitarian Response to the Ukraine Crisis significantly impacted the lives of over 58,000 Ukrainians.
A new warehouse was constructed in Mogadishu, Somalia, to store health and nutrition supplies that will benefit nearly 400,000 people who need humanitarian assistance annually.
- Community strengthening programming was implemented in Quibdó and Tumaco, Colombia, to protect children and their families affected by the Colombian armed conflict, reaching more than 400 people.
Some highlights of projects Canadians are generously supporting
Programs in Windhoek and Ondangwa, Namibia, support more than 2,100 people yearly. They include family-like alternative care, Family Strengthening Programs for families experiencing extreme hardship, an early childhood development centre, and youth empowerment and employability programs.
The Family and Community Strengthening Program in Keranyo, Ethiopia, offers holistic early childhood education services to 194 children, vocational and business training to 60 caregivers, and positive parenting and child safeguarding workshops to 150 caregivers every year.
More than 90 children in Los Mina, Dominican Republic, are provided reliable, quality care in a family-like setting.
Green Growth initiative in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Somalia is strengthening youth skills and expanding access to decent work and business creation opportunities in environmentally sustainable sectors and green industries.
SOS child-friendly spaces in La Guajira, Colombia, benefit up to 300 children daily. Nutritious meals, sourced from catering businesses started by Venezuelan migrant caregivers, are provided to these children as part of the SOS Children’s Villages Family Strengthening Program.
The SOS Technical Training Institute, located in Karachi, Pakistan, provides skill development and technical training primarily to young people from low-income families. Over 1,200 students graduate from the institute yearly, most of whom go on to find employment or launch small businesses.
- A mobile mental health clinic in Kharkiv, Ukraine, provides essential mental health and psychosocial support to children and their families impacted by the war.