Common Hope 2022 Spring Newsletter

SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER

Working together to build strong, resilient families.

FROM THE DESK OF SHARI BLINDT EXECUTIVE BOARD Mark Ruff Chair Diane Kozlak Vice Chair Joe Hammel Secretary Fran McCloskey Treasurer Cheri Broadhead John Bruellman Richard Cargill Carlos R. Cruz Danell Gibbins Davor Grgic Marlene Lopez Ibarra Nancy Norling Chris Osgood Cindy Sattler Katie Sullivan Bill Wagner Vince Walker 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 Fafi nski, Jr. Ed Flaherty Barbara Kopp Jim McDonald Mike Menzel Dick Palen Greg Palen Glen Taylor John Watson New York Greg Scherer Linda Scherer

Dear friends, We work together to build strong, resilient families. That remains true throughout and despite the challenges of hurricanes, mud slides, volcanic eruptions, and a pandemic. It is also true throughout the everyday challenges of living in poverty.

In this issue we celebrate the true heroes of Common Hope’s partnership with families—the women who lead our family development team. Along with their colleagues, they walk with our families as they strive to fulfill their dreams of education and a better life for their children.

Over many years, I have stood with these incredible women as the graduates walk down the Pathway of Dreams during Graduation. When these amazing young men and women passed, my colleagues shared their memories of the students with me. They accompanied most of them on their journeys, and many of the graduates overcame incredible challenges along the way. It was a joyous time as they shared, “He made it—he had to work so hard to pass his classes and he didn’t give up!” and through tears, “She didn’t think she could do it, but she kept going. They had nothing and her father was absent so we had to help her mom and siblings find a new way forward. Now she is a teacher!” These students’ stories are my colleagues’ rewards for their persistence, commitment, and dedication to those we serve.

In this issue you will learn more about the many aspects of our Family Development program.

For those of you who have traveled to Guatemala on a Vision Team or visited your sponsored student and their family, you have met our social workers and accompanied them as they visited with families we serve. You have seen them actively listening, asking clarifying questions to seek understanding, and fostering resiliency in the face of adversity. Witnessing this work doesn’t require understanding of the language—it’s more powerful without it. We hear often from visitors that the most impactful experience is the social work visit when they simply observe and listen.

We are excited to be hosting visitors again in Guatemala where we can share our work with you personally. Consider traveling with us and in the meantime, rest assured that our team is there for the students and families striving to fulfill their dreams of education. With each challenge overcome, they are stronger and more resilient.

Thank you for sharing so generously to continue empowering our staff and families on their journey towards graduation as they have pivoted and navigated this pandemic.

Please consider a gift in honor of our family development team who spend every day listening, learning, and caring con mucho cariño (with a lot of heart).

With gratitude,

International Joe Shank Leslie Shank OUR FOUNDERS The Huebsch Family

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Shari Blindt Executive Director

Three of the women who make up this incredible team; L-R: Patty Ramírez, Ana Zuleta, and Alma Marroquín

FOCUSING ON FAMILIES from affiliation to graduation Common Hope knows that education is critical to ending the cycle of generational poverty. But a hungry child has trouble concentrating and a child without a roof over their head cannot shake a cold. That’s why Common Hope reaches beyond the student to support the entire family, offering comprehensive programs to meet families’ needs so they can focus on making education a priority. From the moment a family joins Common Hope, a years-long partnership begins. Over the span of a student’s time in school, the Common Hope staff works diligently to build relationships, earn trust, and ensure the student and their family knows of every opportunity available to them and can connect with programs that will benefit them from psychology services to education support to housing.

These deeply rooted relationships create a support system that lead to a student’s graduation. Along the way, it is the Affiliations, Scholarships, and Social Work teams who create, facilitate, nurture, and grow the unique partnership with each student and family. Each is responsible for a different part of the process but the teams have a symbiotic relationship and they all work together to support families.

“It’s a puzzle and each of us is one piece in the puzzle. It would be impossible for any of us to function without the other,” -Nineth Garcia, Scholarships Manager

AFFILIATION All great partnerships must have a starting place. At Common Hope, this relationship begins with the Affiliation (Afiliaciones) team. This team is responsible for processing a family’s application. Much like applying for college, the process begins with forms, ensures fixed criteria are met, continues with interviews and home visits, and culminates in acceptance and a formal welcome and onboarding process.

Common Hope is not the right partner for every family and not every family is ready to partner with Common Hope. The passionate and committed affiliations team ensures that a dignified, respectful, and collaborative partnership with families is established from the very beginning.

SCHOLARSHIPS Once a family is affiliated, the Scholarships (Becas) team prepares the “scholarships” for the student (or students) in the family.

These scholarships cover tuition, school supplies, uniforms, and other education costs for the student.

The students receiving scholarships enter into an agreement with Common Hope that they must attend school and pass their classes in order to retain the family’s affiliation. As a benefit, every single member of the family has access to Common Hope programs, not just the scholarship student(s).

As the student goes through school, the Scholarship team stays in constant communication with the school in order to track the student’s grades and progress, and works with social workers when students struggle in school.

SOCIAL WORK Common Hope social workers have been described as the “coaches” of the Common Hope team. Their role is absolutely essential to Common Hope’s mission. Once a family is affiliated, their social worker is with them every step of the way. More often than not, this relationship and journey spans 12+ years—from the day a student starts preschool to the day they graduate high school.

The relationship between a family and their social worker is really the key to successful partnership. Social workers help families set goals, connect them to programs and services, and most importantly, they listen. Trust is at the heart of their work, and Common Hope’s social workers go above and beyond to support families.

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the complexities of poverty on family life

A child’s success in school depends in large part on their family’s health, safety and stability. Poverty isn’t a one-dimensional problem and many complex, interconnected issues affect a family in a poverty situation—and unfortunately these issues have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country’s most vulnerable are facing even greater and more numerous challenges than ever before. The stresses of poverty can lead to poor mental, physical, and emotional health, violence, and other family issues.

LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE Approximately 59% of Guatemala’s 18 million people live below the poverty line with 23% living in extreme poverty (less than $2 USD/day).1 In contrast, the U.S. poverty rate nationally is 13.4% according to latest data from the U.S. Census bureau.

ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT Over the last decade, Guatemala’s economy has experienced a lack of growth, which has greatly limited access to quality, good-paying jobs. As of 2018, only 25% of the population were employed in formal sector jobs. Although the country is seeing higher rates of educated workers, wellpaying jobs are scarce. 2 These figures are prepandemic and currently the country is facing an unemployment shock.

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MALNUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY Food insecurity has risen due to prolonged dry periods, natural disasters, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Guatemala has the fourth-highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world. Nearly 50% of children under age five are malnourished. 3

INEQUALITY Guatemala faces high levels of inequality. Among indigenous populations, which comprise about 40% of the population, poverty rates average up to 79% with 40% experiencing extreme poverty.3 Indigenous populations often experience higher rates of poverty, malnutrition, and mortality, along with reduced access to education and health resources. 4 HEALTH AND WELLNESS Approximately 35% of Guatemalans lack access to basic health and nutrition services with people living in poverty disproportionately affected.5 There are just nine doctors for every 10,000 people on average. Many Guatemalans die of preventable diseases and illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malnutrition.6

Sources: 1 World Bank Data (2019; WFP 2019a) 2 International Bank for Reconstruction & Development/ The World Bank 3 UNICEF, E/ICEF/2021/23 4 MSPAS, INE, and ICF International 2017 5 USAID 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

affiliation : the first step

COMMON HOPE’S OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION*

Common Hope has welcomed more than 300 new families this year with additional families set to join in June. Many of the families who seek out Common Hope have heard about the organization through friends or neighbors. Some are referred by the schools. Others are interested in joining after visiting with staff who are out in the community. The need for Common Hope’s services is high as many parents face diminished income due to unstable employment during the pandemic. They have a great desire to keep their kids in school but lack the resources to support their educations, especially now that distance learning requires access to phones or a computer and data. “The pandemic has hit parents hard in this way.

They explain to us that they don’t have any of these important resources for their children’s education. So it’s a huge barrier and they’ve heard that Common Hope can help,” explains Alma Marroquín, Community Liasion Manager.

Julia, Aracely, and Carmen: Affiliations team

Walking along the Pathway of Dreams with a new student.

Alma Marroquín, Community Liasion Manager

“Families come to us looking for an opportunity, a friend, a helping hand. And we are here for them. Everyone can have a better future and you make that possible. Believe in the families.” - Aracely Perez APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE A family applying to join Common Hope’s programs completes a comprehensive application and the team performs a rigorous socio-economic analysis that looks at many factors like income and employment, expenses, children’s grade level and academics, living conditions, etc. “We also visit each family at their home because we want to have a human connection with them. We want to understand them, and really listen to learn about their needs,” said Carmen Garcia. After applications are completed, each case is evaluated individually and then accepted, denied, or put into a pending status.

WELCOME AND ORIENTATION Once a family’s application is accepted, the team invites them to orientation. Upon arrival at orientation, the family walks down The Pathway of Dreams. “We show them the names of other students who have graduated, and we tell them ‘One day your name can be here, too,’” explained Julia Sicajá. “Many of them recognize names and say, ‘that is my neighbor!’

They see the Pathway is real and it is filled with stories of real people just like them,” she continued. During their orientation the family also meets with their social worker and learns about all of the programs and services available to them.

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scholarships : prioritizing education In order for families to maintain their benefits, scholarship students must be studying and pass their grade level at the end of each school year. The Scholarships department, or Becas, is the link between Common Hope, schools, and families.

The main objective of the Scholarships department is ensuring that all students who receive a scholarship through Common Hope have the educational resources they need to be successful. Their academic progress and grades are monitored through coordination with the schools in order to ensure students stay on track and identify any students who may require extra support. These support systems allow families to make education a priority for their children.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS One of the barriers to education for families in Guatemala is the cost associated with going to school. Public school is “free” through 6th grade, however many schools still charge miscellaneous fees, which families cannot afford—and junior high and high school fees are significantly more. They can be $600-$1,200 per year. This is an enormous, prohibitive expense to the families Common Hope serves.

- A Common Hope scholarship pays all tuition and school fees for students.

- Every scholarship student receives school supplies, books, and uniforms.

- Students may receive other support like data plans, computers, or special supplies required for classes in order to be able to complete their studies.

- When needed, Common Hope distributes additional “educational kits” to students. This has been important in supporting at-home learning.

-Secondary students receive tools and supplies necessary for specific areas of study like mechanics, culinary, etc.

MONITORING AND MOTIVATING SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS The Scholarships department works closely with the schools to track students grades throughout the year and identify any students who may be at-risk for not passing their grade level. The staff stays in communication with their social workers and the family in order to ensure that they are aware of the support programs available to their children if they need them.

“Scholarships and Social Work staff are strong allies and we work together on an ongoing basis to make sure students and their families are informed and supported.” -Nineth Garcia Common Hope celebrates students who are excelling and doing well in their classes. Each year, the Scholarships team sets up an “Honor Wall” with names of students receiving excellent grades.

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educational equality

ENSURING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS Guatemala has the worst gender equity gap in the Americas. Girls are traditionally not supported in their desire to go to school and often receive less education than their male counterparts. The female adult literacy rates are considerably below those of males. Indigenous girls are among the country’s most disadvantaged group1.

But there are signs that this is changing.

“Education is fundamental, but due to scarce resources it is difficult for our girls to have the opportunity to continue studying.” - Nineth Garcia Through educational scholarships, Common Hope is empowering female students and providing access to education so that they can seek equal opportunities and rights in society. With each graduating class over the last several years, Common Hope has seen equal numbers of men and women receiving their diplomas.

“This is a great achievement in a machismo society,” commented Nineth Garcia, Scholarships Manager.

When young women are educated, they can lead their families and communities out of poverty!

Nidya Gonzalez’s mom, Doña Flori, believed in education for her daughter. Now a member of the Scholarships team, Nidya provides young women with the same opportunity she was once given. Scan the code to watch her story!

Axel, Doña Sara Jocabed, Don Julio Cesar, and Dulce Galilea Galilea sponsored by Anne Marie and James M., Minnesota

NO STUDENT LEFT BEHIND Ten-year-old Dulce Galilea and her family live in Santa Catarina Bobadilla, a small town near Antigua. Galilea’s parents, Doña Sara Jocabed and Don Julio César make a living as salespeople. This year, Galilea is studying in 3rd grade, but last year her educational future was uncertain.

The family’s social worker noticed that Galilea had difficulties speaking. Shyness is common, but after her school reported that Galilea wasn’t turning in video homework on multiple occasions, the team understood her speech issues may go beyond being shy.

Members of Common Hope’s social work, scholarships, educational support, mental health, and health care teams came together to investigate Galilea’s case. After a long process, Galilea was diagnosed with Dyslalia, a condition where speech is difficult due to structural defects in speech organs.

Galilea’s family, in partnership with the Common Hope team, took an active role in ensuring she received the support she needed—from proper health care treatment to education support. They created a follow-up plan that included language therapy and adaptations to the school curriculum so that she can continue to advance academically at her own pace throughout primary school.

Galiliea’s story emphasizes the importance of building relationships with families in order to ensure their unique needs are being addressed and that they are connected to the appropriate support programs. Through multidepartmental communication and planning, the team can ensure no family and no student is left behind.

Nineth, Nidya, and Luis, Affiliations Team Sources: 1 The Global Education Fund (2018, p.1)

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social work : the bridge to everything “We don’t want to do for families what they can do for themselves.” This is a core philosophy of Common Hope’s social work program, which is truly the bridge that keeps a student and family connected to all of the programs and opportunities available to them. Once a family is affiliated, the objective of the social work team is to accompany families on their journey.

Each family’s social worker actively listens to their specific needs and goals, working together to keep children in school and on the path to graduation.

VISION AND VALUES The social work program is guided by core values, which include curiosity, empathy, resiliency, and commitment. A family’s social worker serves as a coach, encouraging them and motivating them to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. A social worker always starts with questions rather than answers, knowing that families have the answers within themselves.

SETTING GOALS An important part of Common Hope’s partnership with families is supporting their goals. Each family is unique and has different dreams for their future. Social workers help direct families to programs that can help them achieve their goals, whether that is strengthening their parenting skills, receiving treatment for a chronic illness, or improving their living conditions.

CONSTANT COMMUNICATION In order nurture the partnership, a family and their social worker are in constant communication with one another. The pandemic caused a shift in communication—when home and office visits were no longer an option, the team pivoted to televisits. Now, the communication is much more immediate and direct.

Families have a direct line to their social worker.

“Each family is different and we never stop learning about them.

That’s where our engines start every day. Listening and learning.”

-Patty Ramírez, Social Work Manager

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Members of Common Hope’s 2022 social work, affiliations, and scholarship teams.

a journey of many years From the moment a family is affiliated to the day their student walks across the stage to receive their diploma, Common Hope is there.

Each family’s journey is different but it’s almost always a partnership that spans many years.

Over the course of 10-12 years, a family’s social worker, along with members of the affiliations, scholarships, and education support teams, get to know a student and their family on a personal level. A relationship is formed and nurtured, which goes beyond providing a service. A family’s social worker and other members of Common Hope’s team will tell you that one of the most gratifying and proud

moments in their work is the day they see a student graduate. “I wish we could express the excitement and emotion a family has when their student graduates. And when you see that family you understand that—although it was just a small role in their long journey, tiny like a grain of sand— you played a part in making this day possible,” shares Alma Marroquín.

“Un grano de arena. Like a grain of sand, we play just a small part in the long journey to graduation.” -Alma Marroquín

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celebrating strong, resilient families

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Common Hope welcomed these families, and more than 300 others, into the program this year.

crossing the finish line GRADUATION ON THE HORIZON Although many families work hard to ensure education remains a priority for their children, sometimes life circumstances interfere with the bestlaid plans. Such was the case for Nancy Paoloa, 18 and her family.

Last year, the Scholarships team noticed that Nancy was struggling academically and her grades were slipping. She had received a tablet from the education support team in order to complete her homework, so her social worker asked her what challenges she was facing in her classes.

Nancy lives in a single-parent household. Her father Don Jose Armando, works hard to support his three children but like many in Guatemala, he isn’t always able to secure a job. This is especially difficult during the pandemic. Her social worker

discovered that Nancy Paola was working to help support her family while also going to school.

Nancy also explained that the tablet didn’t have all of the functionality she needed and her work schedule didn’t give her time to come to Common Hope’s computer lab in order to complete her homework.

After learning about this, her social worker and the education support team coordinated to loan Nancy a laptop and ensured she had the appropriate data plan. After that, her grades improved considerably and she successfully completed 11th grade.

This year, Nancy is on track to graduate with her high school diploma from the Instituto de Formación Secretarial as a Bilingual Secretary! ¡Felicitaciones Nancy!

Cristopher, Don Jose, and Nancy Paoloa Nancy sponsored by Michael H., Minnesota

SPONSORS ARE CRITICAL TO

making this all possible

Once a student joins Common Hope and receives their scholarship, they become eligible for sponsorship.

Sponsors provide the funding for the student’s scholarship and all of the programs the student and family have access to.

But a sponsor’s support reaches far beyond the financial gift. It’s about forming a relationship with a student and their family, one that helps motivate and encourage them when times are tough. For a student, knowing someone cares about you and your success can sometimes be the difference between staying in school or dropping out.

At any given time, there are more than 400 Common Hope students looking for a sponsor just like you! You don’t have to be a rockstar writer or a wealthy philanthropist to be a good sponsor. You simply have to care.

Want to learn more about sponsoring a student?

Visit www.commonhope.org/sponsor.

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Common Hope’s mission is to promote hope and opportunity in Guatemala, partnering with children, families, and communities who want to participate in a process of development to improve their lives through education, health care, and housing.

COMMON HOPE 1410 Energy Park Drive Suite 4 St. Paul, MN 55108

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 594

USE OF FUNDS Fundraising - 6%

13% Programs - 81% Management -

3-year 3-year averageaverage

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

PRIMARY CONTACTS US » Common Hope SHARI BLINDT, Executive Director 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 St. Paul, MN 55108 phone 651.917.0917 www.commonhope.org GUATE » Familias de Esperanza REBECCA SANBORN, Country Director Km. 2 Carretera a San Juan del Obispo Antigua, 03901 Sacatepéquez Guatemala, Centro América EDITORIAL TEAM » LIZZ PETERSON, Associate Director of Marketing & Events COURTNEY STROBEL, Marketing Assistant RENATO WESTBY, Director of Education REBECCA SANBORN, Country Director SHARI BLINDT, Executive Director Thank you to our print sponsor IDEAL PRINTERS

Walk (run, swim, or bike) the Extra Mile to keep kids learning!

Join others across the country and the world to Walk For Hope this year! You can walk with your company, school, faith community, family and friends, or as an individual to help raise funds that provide essential academic supporting like tutoring and homework help for 3,120 students.

Walk For Hope where, when, and how you want! www.commonhope.org/walk

REGISTER TODAY!