John Shinsky Named NPH USA Board Chair

NPH USA is very pleased to announce that John Shinsky has been named Chair of the National Board of Directors. His 2-year term began on January 1, 2018.

January 5, 2018

A former orphan, John had a dream to build an orphanage which would provide children in need with adequate food, shelter, safety, love, support, and training for future independence. In 1998, he became aware of the terrible living conditions for children in Matamoros, Mexico, which is located across the U.S. border from Brownsville, Texas. “Matamoros is plagued by poverty and violence from drug gangs,” said John. “Thousands of children live on less than $1.00 per day and sleep in cardboard houses with only the garbage dump as their neighborhood.” In 2003, John and his wife Cindy founded Ciudad de los Niños, “City of the Children,” and began building a home for orphaned and abandoned children in Matamoros.

In 2009, John partnered with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos International (NPHI) and its American fundraising arm, NPH USA, to open and operate Ciudad de los Niños. The partnership allows the organizations to combine their unique resources and strengths for the shared mission of transforming the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. Today, nearly 140 children have lived at NPH Matamoros and call it home. At NPH Matamoros, children receive healthcare, education, training and opportunities that enable them to become self-sufficient adults who give back to their community.

“Over the years, John and Cindy Shinsky have raised hundreds of thousands dollars to support the children we serve,” said NPH USA President and Chief Executive Officer, Frank Donaghue. “They are passionate ambassadors for vulnerable boys and girls who once lived in bleak circumstances, but now have the opportunity of bright futures.”

Prior to founding Ciudad de los Niños, John served as the Director of Special Education for the Lansing School District from 1981 until 2000. He is currently a professor and Associate Dean for Community Impact in the College of Education at Grand Valley State University. John joined NPH USA’s National Board of Directors in 2009 and has served as a member, at large, and most recently as Vice Chair.

“I am extremely honored to be named the Board Chair,” states Shinsky. “I look forward to continue being a strong advocate for the thousands of children served by NPH.”

John was a three-year letter-winner in football for Michigan State University from 1970-73, co-captain of the MSU Football team earning First Team Academic All-America recognition and second-team All-Big Ten honors in 1973. For his efforts with Ciudad de los Niños, John received the Duffy Daugherty Award in 2005, named in honor of Michigan State’s legendary coach that has been presented annually since 1975 to a Spartan football alumnus who has distinguished himself both on and off the field following his graduation. In 2015, John received the Big 10 Conference Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award, which recognizes Big Ten football players that have achieved success in the areas of leadership and humanitarianism after their college careers have ended.

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Related Information:
• Ciudad de los Niños
• How Your Help Makes an Impact at NPH

• More News

Above: Cindy and John Shinsky at the Annual Football Legends Classic, which they organize