This year, I am a member of the HOPE’S INterns program. Through the program, I am learning about social advocacy and developing my leadership skills to change the world! One of our main projects is organizing an annual fashion show fundraiser called Hope’s in Style. This is an important event that brings together our community and rallies for hope!
I hope to raise money for the 501(c)(3) organization, HOPE’S IN, as I believe that they positively change the lives of the people living in Guatemala. HOPE’S IN has been working to empower families in Guatemala for the past 8 years. Their programs focus on community development projects like building homes, special education, empowering teen mothers, medical care and raising up the next generation of humanitarian leaders.
My fundraising goal is to raise $500 to help sponsor the participation of a woman in HOPE’S IN’s Fortaleza program. Fortaleza is a community support group for teen mothers and at-risk girls in Zone 3 of Guatemala City. Fortaleza is the Spanish word that means both strong refuge and strength. It is important to appreciate that the communities are plagued with a multigenerational cycle of young pregnancies, single mothers, broken families, violence, and a severe lack of health care. However, we hope to be a place of refuge for the strong women we work alongside by providing access to counseling, healthcare, mentorship, and educational scholarships.
I want to support the Fortaleza program because education in itself is incredibly valuable especially for women in areas where it is looked at as not important. The health and community support group for these young women is also something that is essential. Support Groups will allow them to feel like they have a safe space with people within their community. I plan on hopefully going to Guatemala on one of the next trips or virtually supporting as much as I can. I want to be very involved as this is something I’m very passionate about.
Will you help me to achieve my goal to make an impact this April?
Thank you for helping me empower these young women!
Sincerely,
Maliha A.