1970
Special Care Centers are organized to treat children with physical handicaps and medical illness, offering relief through surgery, training, physical therapy, adequate nourishment and special equipment.
1972
Compassion begins work in the United States Native American field.
1974
Reverend Wallace (Wally) Erickson, a pastor who spent four years in South Korea for Compassion before returning to the States, is named the first field director of South and Central America. In October, the board appoints him executive vice president.
Reverend Henry Harvey retires as president.
School projects are set up to assist children who otherwise would not have the chance to receive an education. These projects pay for teachers' salaries, books, supplies, school uniforms, medical care and, in many instances, a hot, nutritious meal each school day.
1975
In June, Wally Erickson becomes Compassion's third president. He served the organization for eight years prior to that. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Wally spent his boyhood in the Midwest and attended universities in Illinois and Missouri for his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. An honorary Doctor of Humanities degree was awarded to him by Keimyung Christian College in Taegu, Korea, in the mid-1970s. During Wally's term as president, the number of sponsored children climbs from 25,000 to more than 180,000.
TEAR Fund, a Christian relief agency in Great Britain, becomes affiliated with Compassion for child sponsorship.
1978
Australian sponsors help create Compassion Limited of Australia, headquartered in Newcastle. Currently, more than 27,000 children are sponsored through the Australia partnership.