How One Inspiring Couple Find Global Purpose in Growing Opportunity

Boris Aust visits our agency in the Dominican Republic last year.

For Boris and Amelie Aust, investing in potential has always been a way of life.

As owners of a globally successful blueberry breeding and nursery company, the couple has spent nearly two decades helping growers build stronger harvests and more sustainable businesses around the world. Today, as members of Children International’s Global Philanthropy Council, they also are investing in another kind of growth, by serving as ambassadors for mission-minded impact that helps young people develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.

A shared belief in providing long-term support is what first drew them to Children International, a global nonprofit that empowers youth ages 2 through young adulthood to forge paths out of poverty.

A recommendation from a former colleague led the Austs to learn more about Children International. As they explored the organization’s work, they discovered a philosophy that closely reflected their own beliefs: real and lasting change happens when people are given the opportunity to explore and soar.

Boris and Amelie Aust are members of Children International’s Global Philanthropy Council.

They began their journey with Children International by sponsoring a child in Mexico. Just a few months later, they deepened their commitment by making their first gift to the Into Employment^® program, launching a pattern of annual investments that has continued ever since.

A visit to Children International’s program office in the Dominican Republic brought that impact to life. Seeing the programs firsthand reinforced Boris’ confidence in the organization’s careful stewardship of every contribution and inspired the couple to make even greater investments in its mission.

“What I really appreciate about the organization is how well it is structured and how professionally it is run,” Boris said.

One Children International initiative in particular holds the Austs’ respect.

Into Employment helps young people prepare for the workforce and independent futures by providing them with life skills training, job skills training, career readiness resources and access to employment opportunities.

“A lot of funding from people ends when a child finishes school, but finishing school is not enough on its own,” Boris said. “These kids face real barriers to finding work. The program gives them the tools – from writing resumes to specialized training – to actually get there.”

For Amelie, the program reflects something even more fundamental.

“The program enables these young people to access personal agency. That means helping them see and understand the opportunity, believe in themselves that they have a chance at it, and then equipping them with the skills and support to act,” she said. “Children International is present for every one of those steps, and that is what excites me most about Into Employment. It is the final step in building those life skills.”

Looking ahead, the Austs are encouraged by Children International’s vision for expanding its impact and reaching even more children and families around the world.

“I am excited to see the work continue,” Boris said.

For Amelie, the people who deserve the greatest recognition are those making that transformation possible every day.

“Our thanks go to the team on the ground, for their passion and for their excellence in making that impact real.”