Our Mission
One Life to Love establishes and operates Homes of Hope for children who are neglected or abandoned because of their intellectual and physical disabilities or because of their family’s debilitating poverty. We make long-lasting impact in the lives of these children by welcoming them in as our own and effecting change in their communities through education and relief services.
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In 2010, Courtney made a last-minute decision to join a group of fellow alumni and professors on a trip to India. Courtney fell in love with the country and the people. A month later, Courtney did not return to the USA with the rest of the group. Instead, she moved into a slum in north Delhi and began working with street and orphan children. The community quickly embraced her. They called her didi, meaning ‘big sister’. She developed sincere relationships with the children of the slum and she had a vision for them: if they received the love and care that every child deserves, they could do amazing things.
Courtney would have spent her life in that slum had it not been for a chance encounter with Surendar, an abandoned child with special needs. Surendar was abused and left for dead on the roadside on a cold winter night. He was rescued by police and brought to the shelter home where Courtney was volunteering. He was non-verbal so he could not explain what had happened to him. He was naked, scared and covered with wounds. Courtney immediately took to the boy and would try to cater to his needs the best she could. After a few short weeks, Surendar was able to tell her his name. It was truly a miracle. Courtney knew that Surendar would soon make a full recovery as a result of the love and care he was receiving.
However, the shelter home was not willing to provide the space for Surrendar, stating that his special needs were a drain on their resources. He was sent to a state-run mental institution notorious for its mistreatment of children. Surrendar died a month later. Courtney’s spirit was crushed. She found herself asking God, “Why?” and she felt as if God was asking her the same thing. “Why?”
That is when Courtney decided to take a step of faith and open a home for abandoned and orphaned children with special needs. In 2014, with the support of friends, family and her hometown church, One Life to Love opened its doors and began rescuing children from the streets and slums.
Since its establishment, hundreds of lives have been transformed as a result of One Life to Love’s unique approach. However, Courtney’s vision was never to reach millions through One Life to Love. Her emphasis has always been on the innate value of every single individual. She believes in quality over quantity, stating, “Maybe I can’t help 100, 000 street children today. But I can change one child’s life today, through love, care and provision. And if I help one and you help one, then we are genuinely changing the world.”
Founder’s Story

Courtney Deacon
A snapshot of the life of a woman dedicated to rescuing India’s abandoned children

1986
November 1st - born and raised in Brick, N.J. USA
2005
May - Graduated from Brick Memorial High School.
August - Accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Jewelry Design program.


2006
Homeless outreach in NYC
2007
Hired as National Account Executive for a luxury jewelry brand.


2008
Accepted into Fashion Institute of Technology’s International Trade & Marketing undergrad program, minoring in Asian Studies.
2009
July - Internship in rural Uganda with former child soldiers.
December - Awarded the Gemini Shippers Scholarship.


2010
January – Studied in rural Turkey
May – Graduated from F.I.T. Magna Cum Laude
May – Joined research team in Ladakh, India.
July – Research team returned to USA. Courtney stayed in India.
August – Courtney moves into a slum in northeast Delhi.
2010-2012
Volunteers in shelter home for street children.


2012
January - Meets Surendar, an abandoned boy with special needs. Her life is forever changed.
December - Surendar passes away. Courtney makes a promise to help children like Surendar.
2013
One Life to Love is established
November - Home of Hope for special children opens its doors.
