2 023
GI F T
CATALO G
give hope
Hola amigos, Gifts and acts of kindness are a universal way of showing loved ones you care. From Guatemalan families warmly welcoming visitors with their favorite homemade dishes to Common Hope sponsors sharing cherished board games with students; these gestures have an enduring ability to bring joy and excitement into our lives, as well as replenishing our spirits with hope. Just like the examples mentioned, the acts of kindness featured in this catalog are not one-sided. They not only bring happiness to the recipient, but also uplift the spirits of the giver, allowing us all to dream and take actions towards a better tomorrow. As we approach the end of this year and set our sights on 2024, hope remains the driving force behind our mission. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support in helping families reach their dreams of creating a brighter future for themselves in Guatemala.
Cathy Hart Your Proud Interim Executive Director
Where there is hope, there’s a pathway forward. We recognize that every student in Guatemala faces unique obstacles. From health to housing, family size to geographic location —no two students are the same. The method of The Pathway supports students using an unrestricted giving model, which gives our team in Guatemala the resources needed to support each student on a case-by-case basis. Monthly contributions as a Pathway member are a beacon of hope for the future. Join this giving season and you will receive a special Pathway member gift! Please use the enclosed envelope to indicate your desire to join and a staff member will get in touch with you.
Become a member of Common Hope’s Pathway 1. Visit commonhope.org/pathway or scan the QR code 2. Set your monthly contribution amount—starting at $5 (you can change your giving amount at any time) 3. Make an impact 4. Share with others
See the enclosed envelope
where hope heals Access to quality healthcare and providers is limited for over half of Guatemala’s population. For many families partnered with Common Hope, healthcare can be a challenge. One of our main priorities is keeping families healthy and closing the healthcare gap so that families can focus on education and excel. The power of healthy families is transformative, as it helps advance communities and Guatemala as a whole. Common Hope’s health program promotes preventive care, provides families with health competency, and offers transparent care so that families can take health matters into their own hands. When families have access to quality healthcare, it has a significant positive impact on their ability to care for themselves and their children’s education.
“We seek to improve the health of our families by giving them access to information about preventable diseases and creating healthy habits. The interventions we carry out with our families, position the students to take care of their health in tandem with the conditions in which they live in order to improve their lives.” -Doctor Laura
CHRONIC DISEASE MEDICATION Chronic non-communicable diseases are common in our families. Access to necessary medication and resources is crucial for preventing health decline.
$100 can help provides patients with chronic disease medication
TELEMEDICINE In Guatemala, urban areas have better access to healthcare than rural and indigenous populations. Telemedicine bridges this gap by providing care regardless of location or income.
$500 can staff the Common
Hope telemedicine line
HEALTH SCREENINGS Preventive health screenings are vital for families. Common Hope’s health fair measures height, weight, vision, blood pressure, and screens for illnesses.
$1,000 can fund preventative
health fairs for Common Hope families
COUNSELING HOTLINE A healthy body includes a healthy mind and is increasingly important when our students are facing uniquely challenging circumstances. Immediate access to counseling services can assist families in navigating anxiety, stress, and other obstacles that may arise.
$50 can help fund the counseling support hotline
AFFILIATIONS AND ORIENTATION The need for Common Hope’s services is high, as many parents face diminished income due to unstable employment and rising costs due to inflation. Your gift will help Common Hope continue to welcome new families and provide them with comprehensive orientation and support.
$150 can support affiliation and
orientation for 10 new families
SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT Our social workers build strong relationships with families to better understand their needs, set goals, connect them to services, and provide ongoing support.
$2,500 can help support social
workers so they can continue to provide counseling
where hope empowers
Promoting strong and resilient families is a team effort led by the social work and and affiliations team. The two teams help connect families to our programs, provide comfort and solutions during difficult times, and assist families in setting and achieving their goals. The relationship that a family has with these departments can span up to 10+ years and the bond and trust that are developed during this time are integral to Common Hope’s mission. The two teams accompany families on their journey and empower them to recognize that they are not only part of the solution but also possess the key to achieving their dreams.
“Our work is based in loving relationships, we listen and empower families with the tools to create their own futures.” -Carmen, Affiliations
where hope lives
A home for our families provides a place where peace, hope, and possibilities flourish. Unfortunately, many Guatemalan families face challenges in accessing the formal financial system. As a result, banks are hesitant to provide them with loans, and government initiatives don’t exist to assist families in securing housing funds. Common Hope Familias de Esperanza’s housing program helps families and communities acquire secure and dignified homes, allowing them to break the cycle of poverty. A home creates a more stable home environment so families can focus on their goals and their children can focus on education. Your contribution towards housing will make a big difference in improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. With this support, children have designated spaces to study and play, and parents have space to nurture dreams and opportunities to create a better tomorrow.
“Close your eyes for a few seconds, think about your home, and think about what it makes you feel. When I think about my home, I feel proud. When I asked some families, they expressed different sentiments because of inadequate access to housing caused by lack of funds.” -Josue, Director of Operations
DESK Families in Guatemala lack sufficient space at home and adequate study areas for their children, which can lead to disinterest in homework. The housing team has received feedback from families that a desk is one of their essential housing needs.
$100 can provide a designated
area for students to study and complete homework
COOK STOVE Many Guatemalan families cook indoors over an open fire, causing respiratory issues. Provide families with a stove that routes harmful smoke outdoors, eliminates an open flame, and uses 1/3 of the firewood.
$500 can provide one stove with proper ventilation
A PLACE TO CALL HOME Help families earn a mobile fibrolite home that is clean, dry, and safe. Families volunteer to help build their home alongside Common Hope volunteers and staff.
$2,500 can cover a significant
portion of what a family can call home
SUPPORT A STUDENT FOR A MONTH More than 1,000 students are currently waiting to be sponsored. By contributing towards sponsorship, you can help ensure that students who are still unsponsored will have access to Common Hope’s programs.
$96 can provide programming to a student for one month
VOCATIONAL TRAINING The 9th-grade vocational orientation program helps students explore career options, promoting self-discovery and goal setting for better futures.
$500 can provide staffing,
resources, and learning kits for students
SPONSOR A CLASSROOM Many classrooms in Guatemala lack adequate teaching materials and classroom equipment. These resources substantially impact student learning outcomes. You will not only support teachers, but also help primary school students to achieve their aspirations and dreams.
$3,500 can provide support for an entire classroom
where hope grows
Education is at the center of all our programs. We believe that students who are healthy, secure, and well-educated are better positioned to build a brighter future for themselves and become agents of change in their community. Education opens doors, turns dreams into reality, and transforms generations. It’s not that children lack the potential to change Guatemala for the better, they are hindered by a lack of opportunities due to social and economic factors that create barriers to receiving education. Our students are eagerly awaiting opportunities to learn, create, and innovate.
“Our goal is to empower young people by providing them with the opportunity to find their calling and create a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones. Ultimately, we hope to equip them with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in their community.” -Leslie, Academic Strengthening Manager
Programs - 81%
Management - 13%
Fundraising - 6%
USE OF FUNDS
deductible as allowed by law.
3-year average
annually. Contributions are 100% tax
corporation founded in 1986 and is audited
Common Hope is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 St. Paul, MN 55108
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 594