“Dr. Shankar Improves Health and Homes in Guatemala”

“Dr. Shankar Improves Health and Homes in Guatemala”

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On February 7, 2020
  • 0 Comments
“Shelter and access to medical care are basic necessities that are often in short supply in Guatemala. When Pediatric Hospitalist Lavanya Shankar, MD, learned of an opportunity to volunteer at medical clinic and build houses around Guatemala City with her teenage daughter, Sanjana, she jumped at the chance.   “I’ve always wanted to get involved in global health to help others in need,” says Dr. Shankar. “I’m getting a graduate degree in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, and it goes hand-in-hand with this effort.” I also want to teach the next generation what the world is about and to help them recognize they have so much to offer.”   Last August, Dr. Shankar, […]
Read More
 
The Hope’s in Academy Feature: Meet Ananya

The Hope’s in Academy Feature: Meet Ananya

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On January 27, 2020
  • 0 Comments
The Hope’s in Academy is a program that HOPE’S IN runs in District 220 of Illinois! The program is for Freshmen in high school to learn about social advocacy and gain the skills and confidence to start and implement social impact projects! The Hope’s in Academy is one of our core initiatives in our mission to help develop the next generation of humanitarian leaders. This program is funded by a local foundation called the Barrington Area Community Foundation and is lead by our Executive Director Courtney McGovern and by Dr. Heath McFaul and Amy Winkelman of Barrington High School. In an effort to share more about what the Hope’s in […]
Read More
 
Dr. Tricia Gears Up for Guatemala

Dr. Tricia Gears Up for Guatemala

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On July 23, 2019
  • 0 Comments
This year, HOPE’S IN is so excited for our teams to go to Guatemala! Our summer Service Learning Exchange will host 77 volunteers who will work with seven families to build their new home together, host two weeks of medical clinics alongside local doctors, and strengthen relationships with two children’s homes that have recieved medical grants from us this year. Also, some of our volunteers will get to spend time with our community group for teen mothers and at-risk girls. It will be two very full weeks! As we get ready for our first team to arrive, we asked Dr. Tricia, a volunteer going for the first time, to share […]
Read More
 
Hope’s In Academy: Alina’s Experience

Hope’s In Academy: Alina’s Experience

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On July 16, 2019
  • 0 Comments
“As a group, we learned that with dedication and commitment, we can reach even beyond our goal to make Barrington High school plastic-free.” -Alina Khan, Sophomore at BHS Below is a reflection from Alina, a student from the first graduating class of the Hope’s In Academy. The Hope’s In Academy is a leadership development program for Freshmen in District 220. The program teaches students about nonprofit management, social impact, and leadership. Each group within the program created a service project to put their knowledge to the test. Next school year, we will welcome the second class of the Hope’s In Academy thanks to a grant from the Barrington Area Community […]
Read More
 
Annual HOPE’S IN Award Empowers Next Generation of Humanitarian Leaders

Annual HOPE’S IN Award Empowers Next Generation of Humanitarian Leaders

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On April 12, 2018
  • 0 Comments
“Two Barrington High School students were announced as winners of the 2nd annual HOPE’S IN Humanitarian Award during the organization’s 6th annual fashion show fundraiser. Thanks to the award, Sophomore Kelly Speichinger and Senior Maureen Kozlowski are headed to Guatemala City this summer to help HOPE’S IN volunteers build homes for families living in Zone-3, a garbage dump community. Nearly 300 people attended this year’s fashion show which raised over $61,000, enough to build eight homes.”   Read full article here. 
Read More
 
My Trip Reflection: Kate

My Trip Reflection: Kate

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On September 1, 2016
  • 0 Comments
Sweat dripped down my brow and snaked down my back as I scampered down the alleyway, careful not to trip on an upturned rock. The sun scorched the top of my head but I paid no mind to it as I focused on the task at hand, beating these kids at soccer. I flashed a hard earned smile towards my brother before quickly kicking the ball his way. Rejected! Axel, one of the older boys, intercepted my pass and swiftly dribbled the ball away from us. He shot it past two trashcans and the ball slammed into the wall of a house shaking its tin core. I grimaced and hoped […]
Read More
 
Jim: Raul’s Story

Jim: Raul’s Story

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On August 11, 2014
  • 0 Comments
Raul was homeless and alone at age eight. Potter’s House has established a network of community leaders who are trained to support and encourage people in the community. It was a community leader that took in Raul and now introduces herself as his Mom. She is a true hero. These situations are common in a community where tragedy is routine and half the families are lead by single mothers. I worked and played with Raul every day this week and as our last day arrived I knew that I may not see him again. A lot happens in the garbage dump community and there is no guarantee I will return […]
Read More
 
Allie: What a Guatemalan boy named Jesús taught me

Allie: What a Guatemalan boy named Jesús taught me

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On August 11, 2014
  • 0 Comments
Before going on this trip, I tried to prepare myself for what I would come to see in Guatemala. Of course, I had known about the tremendous poverty, but when I saw it with my own eyes, it moved straight from my head to my heart. This was the kind of thing you read about, maybe pray for every once in a while, but then move on with your thoughts. Right away, I knew God brought me here for a reason. I was part of House 2 of the three houses built. Oscar (25) and Linda (24) had a daughter named Lindsey (8) and a son named Steven (4). Their […]
Read More
 
Cheryl: Dedication Day is the Best Part Of The Week

Cheryl: Dedication Day is the Best Part Of The Week

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On August 9, 2014
  • 0 Comments
This is my second trip to Guatemala to build cinder block homes for families who live in the garbage dump through an amazing organization called Potter’s House. Last year, I went with my daughter Melissa and youngest son Mitch. This year, I was blessed to attend with my entire family including my husband Mike and oldest son Michael. Doing this experience as a family means so much more to me than words can describe. We all participated in scraping, spackling, mixing/hauling cement and painting along side with the new homeowners. As we worked we got to know this precious family and formed a special bond. Even though we speak different […]
Read More
 
I Will Come Back A Different Person

I Will Come Back A Different Person

  • Posted by Courtney Quigley
  • On August 8, 2014
  • 0 Comments
And so, after years of sending our boys (now men) on mission trips each summer, I am now on my first mission trip—miles from Bartlett in Guatemala City at Potter’s House Association serving “the treasures” in the Potter’s House community. Forty-one Chicago suburbanites building three cinder block houses, hosting a medical clinic staffed by three physicians, painting at the community center, doing prayer walks, and the list goes on and on. I was told “I would come back a different person”. I thought to myself I am pretty kind, compassionate and generous now. How wrong I was, oh, how wrong I was! I have learned more this week about serving […]
Read More