Common Hope- 2023 Year in Review

2023 A YEAR IN REVIEW

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Mark Ruff

Chair

Diane Kozlak

Vice Chair

Joe Hammell

Secretary

Cindy Sattler

Treasurer

Kendall Bishop

Cheri Broadhead

Milton del Cid

Carlos Cruz

Danell Gibbins

Davor Grgic

Tamalyn Gutierrez

Bill Huebsch

Marlene Lopez Ibarra

Skip McCowan

Chris Osgood

Becky Stumpf

Katie Sullivan

Bill Wagner

Vince Walker

Nadia Weber

HONORARY BOARD

Arizona

Ron Kelly

California

Lia Huber

Gerry Morrison

Florida

Larry Meyer

Peggy Meyer

Illinois

Mary Pasquinelli

Minnesota

Stan Amidon

Annette Atkins

Ann Bloomquist

Eric Bloomquist

Kim Culp

Robert Fafinski, Jr.

Ed Flaherty

Barbara Kopp

Jim McDonald

Mike Menzel

Dick Palen

Greg Palen

Glen Taylor

John Watson

New York

Greg Scherer

International

Joe Shank

Leslie Shank

FROM THE DESK OF CATHY HART

We are pleased to share this 2023 Impact Report, highlighting our ongoing commitment to supporting Guatemalan families and students achieve their dreams. We are deeply honored to fulfill this mission through the work of our dedicated and talented team, and to be integrally part of the communities we serve.

In this report, you will see our impact within the lives of over 7,000 students and their families through our programming. You will learn about the continued challenges Guatemalans face in terms of access to basic services and economic advancement. And you will hear from our affiliated student, April, and her plans for the future, as well as the incredible journey of the Paredez family. We can truly witness hope flourishing in these stories.

Together, we will continue to foster hope and nurture students toward their future.

With profound gratitude,

OUR FOUNDERS

The Huebsch Family

Cathy Hart Proud Executive Director

OUR MISSION

Common Hope promotes hope and opportunity in Guatemala by partnering with children, families and communities who want to participate in a process of development to improve their lives through education, health care, housing, and family development.

OUR VALUES

To facilitate positive change and support a more equitable Guatemala, Common Hope promotes the values of:

• Hope

• Empathy

• Responsibility

• Proactivity

• Curiosity

• Teamwork

2023 At Glance

FAMILIES IN PARTNERSHIP

1,960

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PROGRAMS

7,295

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

3,265

MIL GRACIAS

These highlights and milestones from 2023 were made possible thanks to the trust of the families we serve, our dedicated team, generous supporters, sponsors, and volunteers. This diverse network of support is what makes every impactful moment worth celebrating. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made, and continues to make, our mission possible. Together, we are stronger and more effective.

Juntos somos más fuertes y efectivos.

2023 marked the first year of our current strategic plan. It guides our focus on program relevance, organizational strength, and strategic relationships. We are excited to build on a strong first year of this plan as we fuel momentum each year of the plan through 2026. We eagerly look forward to what the coming year has in store.

Education

Over 4,800 students participated in Common Hope’s educational support programs

Over 300 students graduated from the robotics program

We proudly celebrated the graduation of 210 students

Meet April: Her Vision for Guatemala’s Future

Excitement, Determination, and Paying it Forward

Through school, I believe I can help change Guatemala for the better. By standing up for dignity, equality, and environmental stewardship, I can contribute to a brighter future for my country.

can have a better quality of life without facing the same barriers I did, or previous generations have. Personally, I dream of becoming a flight attendant and exploring all the different corners of the world.

Being in programs like robotics has been an eye-opening experience for me. It’s a safe space where boys and girls have equal opportunities to learn and grow. I have discovered a passion for technology and problemsolving, skills that will be useful for my future. It brings me so much joy to imagine a Guatemala where there are new opportunities and education becoming more accessible. I want to open up my perspective so that my future family

I have a few years ahead till I graduate, but as I look forward to that special day, I feel a mix of excitement and determination. I want to finish strong and continue my education, knowing that Common Hope has prepared me well for whatever comes next. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and eager to pay it forward by supporting others on their educational journey. I believe that the sky’s the limit for what I can achieve.

- April M., 12

Common Hope Student

Common Hope’s educational programs help students progress academically and prepare for the future. We foster student engagement and skill development knowing that a high school diploma, although an indicator of success, must be paired with additional training for success in Guatemala’s dynamic economy.

Common Hope’s Educational Programs include:

• Early Childhood Stimulation

• Preparing Myself for First Grade

• Habilidades (Skill Building)

• Little Souls (Virtual at Home Support)

• Computer Literacy

• Robotics

• Mente Sana (Healthy Minds)

• Pre-primary

• Career Guidance

• Vocational Guidance

• Numerical Thinking

• English

• Music

Family Development

18,000+ touch points with families made through home and digital appointments

Engaged with over 800 new families through orientation and affiliation

On average, one social worker oversees 100+ families

Personalized Support, Lasting Impact

Our Commitment to Families

Common Hope is committed to providing the best possible care to students in our programs. We know that the most effective student support comes first from the family.

How does Common Hope navigate relationships with families?

Every family faces unique circumstances that affect a student’s ability to succeed in their educational journey. That is why our dedicated social workers aim to find the best solutions based on each family’s unique situation, allowing us to be most efficient with our resources and support. Whether it’s helping a family acquire a filter system to drink clean water, finding health support, or simply providing a comforting ear, we continue to enhance and expand our social work team to continue to meet our growing population.

“

“I love being part of the social work team. I aim to be their strongest ally and my goal is to be there for families when they need me the most. I help them understand the programs and benefits they have access to, and I’m always ready to lend a hand. Together, we tackle challenges, form strong bonds of trust and respect, and most importantly, celebrate our successes along the way.” -Rosa C., Common Hope Social Worker

Health evaluations of 3,943 patients

1,373 patients received dental care

523 optometry consultations with 460 glasses delivered

Defining Health in Guatemala Insights from Doctor Laura

DEFINING HEALTH

The healthcare system in Guatemala is unequal, with limited access to basic medical services and proper infrastructure for rural, impoverished, and indigenous populations.

Due to these circumstances, there is a high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and malnutrition in our population.

FAMILY EMPOWERMENT

Access to preventative healthcare gives families peace of mind, removes the burden of unexpected medical expenses, and ensures kids are healthy and able to go to school.

By understanding the importance of early detection, families can take proactive steps to maintain their health and well-being, leading to a sense of empowerment and control over their own healthcare decisions and outcomes.

HEALTHY KIDS, SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS

Maintaining good health is critical to keeping children in school, particularly those from the most marginalized communities.

To help students learn effectively, it’s important to address any potential barriers that hinder their progress. For instance, malnutrition, vision, or hearing impairments can impede their engagement, ultimately impacting their academic performance. By providing necessary care and support, we can help overcome these challenges and ensure that students are healthy, happy learners who can reach their full potential.

- Dr. Laura G., Common Hope Health Manager

Housing

256 home improvement projects delivered

35 concrete homes built in partnership with a local Guatemalan nonprofit

18 fiber cement homes built with the support of Vision Team Volunteers

From Shelter to Sanctuary: The Journey of the Paredez Family

In years past, May would bring tears of frustration to Nancy and Concepciòn Paredez because it marked the start of the rainy season in Guatemala. During the rainy season, which typically lasts through October, they constantly had to rearrange things in their small oneroom home to keep their items dry and usable. When it rained, everything became wet and unsafe, including their beds, clothes, and backpacks, and the house itself became unstable.

Nancy and Concepciòn had a desire for a home that could be their sanctuary to raise their three growing kids; where they could focus on school and let their dreams take flight. This year, the Paredez family was eligible to receive a fibrolite home.

The Paredez family used to spend hours repairing parts of their home and the leaky roof. It had reached a point where the family spent more time apart than

together due to the limited space in their home. “Now that we have more space, I can actually say I love living in my home. As a family, we can share meals, get the kids ready without asking the neighbors to use their water, and the kids have more privacy which is important as they get older,” shared Nancy.

Working to build a brighter future

Common Hope’s Housing crew is all hands-on deck when it comes to the build. “From start to finish the team came in and I was ready to take off work to help, and they said ‘no we’ve got this’, and I felt cared for,” said Concepciòn.

The heartache of living without adequate space and basic necessities, such as running water and a bathroom, is over.

Through a partnership with Common Hope’s Housing program, families like the Paredez family can have a safe

and comfortable home with improved living conditions. With more space and less crowding, families can experience happier dynamics and improved well-being. Nancy shares that during construction the family would take walks in different directions just to view the house from different angles. Then they would say, “Look at how beautiful our house is.”

But their journey does not end here Looking ahead, Nancy and Concepciòn dream of finding a plot of land to call their own and build a future for their children. With the mobile element of their fibrolite home and renewed spirits, there’s no doubt they will succeed.

“In that moment when we first walked in, I opened the windows and took it all in,” Nancy expressed. “I said, ‘my home,’ and a dream became a reality. The house was made with love, and we were safe.”

1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4

St. Paul, MN 55108

Common Hope is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation founded in 1986 and is audited annually. Contributions are 100% tax deductible as allowed by law.

USE OF FUNDS

Fundraising - 6% Management - 13% Programs