Northwest News

This year, the Faces of Hope celebrations in Northwest reflected on all that NPH has built, and inspired us to keep on building together.

May 5, 2019

Faces of Hope

This year, the Faces of Hope celebrations in Northwest reflected on all that NPH has built, and inspired us to keep on building together. We were excited to hear from recently retired Director of Family Services for NPH International, Donna Egge, about her 20-year career with NPH and the lives that she’s transformed through Family Service programs. We were grateful to hear from two of our Seattle Institute Leadership Students, who shared some of their NPH stories with us. Liamar Fajardo, from NPH Nicaragua, told of the strength she received from her grandmother and women in her family, along with the significance of her name. Fany Martinez, from NPH Honduras, spoke of her early excitement in becoming a part of the NPH family and about her shared love of coffee with the Northwest.
With nearly 300 attendees between our Luncheon and Reception, we raised over $125,000! We build these bridges together for the children and families of NPH out of hope and opportunity. “My future dream is for a family in which we care about and love each other, are thankful for our lives and every blessing, and respond to others in need.”. Liamar said it well, and shares that dream with many others within the NPH family. Thank you and keep building, NPH USA Northwest!

November 15, 2018

New Kicks for GreaT Kids

Long time NPH supporters and friends, Greg and Stephanie Schuler, decided to put their generous gift this year to a specific NPH need they were made aware of on a recent trip down to our programs in Honduras. Our kids in Honduras, like in all our homes, play hard. Combine that enthusiastic play with the beautiful, mountainous terrain of our NPH home there, Rancho Santa Fe, and kids’ shoes wear out pretty quick. We have a shoe-making workshop in our vocational center there and in addition to the necessary curriculum, our students and staff also help to repair and extend the life of our children’s shoes. Still…the life of a shoe, is the life of a shoe and eventually, it must be retired. Not to mention that our children are constantly growing, if you can imagine that. Only so many hand me downs make it.

Stephanie and Greg are activating their support by funding a specific project for NPH Honduras. Buying new shoes for all of the children! I want to thank Greg and Stephanie for their incredible generosity and for helping to respond to need where they find it. So excited to see the new shoes on our next visit to Honduras. Thank you, thank you!

November 20, 2017

Thank You Mary Jo Bruckner

NPH USA would like to extend our deepest thanks to Mary Jo Bruckner, a longtime NPH supporter who is wrapping up two years of remarkable dedication and contributions as our Northwest Regional Board Chair.

Mary Jo and her husband Jim became child sponsors (godparents) with NPH USA in 2011, when she heard a presentation about NPH at Seattle University. In 2013, Mary Jo traveled to NPH Honduras with a group of visitors from the Northwest, and she was inspired by what she witnessed at the home. Upon her return, Mary Jo became an active member of the Northwest Regional Board, and shared her love for NPH by speaking at our Faces of Hope events in 2014, which raised more than $140,000.

In 2016, Mary Jo accepted the role of Regional Board Chair, with a strong commitment to help our Board and staff in growing and strengthening our local efforts and our base of support. With Mary Jo’s leadership, our Board expanded and provided more funding than ever before to NPH. Mary Jo’s excellent facilitation of meetings and warm welcome to new Board members had a tremendous impact on our Board culture and effectiveness. She has brought a thoughtfulness to her role, always considering what else she can personally do to help us be even more successful. Last fall, she and Jim returned to NPH Honduras again, and in September they and Proliance Surgeons hosted NPH graduate Dr. Merlin Antúnez, who grew up at NPH and is now the orthopedic surgeon running our surgery center in Honduras. This is just one example of how Mary Jo has consistently gone above and beyond to host events and meetings at her home, spend time with our Seattle leadership students, attend local events, and be an ambassador for NPH in the community. Her efforts have truly transformed the lives of not only her godchildren, but all of the children at NPH.

The entire Northwest staff and Board, as well as our national leadership team, is so grateful for Mary Jo’s leadership, her vision, and her countless hours of work to support us and the children of NPH. Muchísimas gracias, Mary Jo!

June 15, 2017

making a difference a round of golf at a time

In true Northwest fashion the morning offered some light rain before clearing up and offering a great day for golf at the beautiful Newcastle Golf Club. Over 220 golfers joined our volunteers, staff and sponsors to make a difference in the lives of children – all while enjoying a round of golf, games, amazing food, fare and drinks.

See more images from the day here!

We are so grateful to all those who came out to support the day, especially to all the incredible sponsors of the event who through their partnership made the day a huge success. Our Title Sponsor, Arena Sports, has been a steadfast partner in this event, along with our Banquet Sponsor Oppenheimer and Company. Other top level sponsors included Eakman Construction, Manini’s, and Precor Commercial Fitness – a total of 44 companies sponsored our event this year! A special thanks to our Golf Committee who worked relentlessly to ensure the success and growth of the event by inviting so many new people and sponsors to get involved and make a difference. With all the Northwest support this tournament has officially doubled in size in just three years, raising over $121,000 for the family of children, communities, and programs that NPH serves throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Many were inspired by the mission of NPH to transform the lives of disadvantaged children so they can reach their full potential and overcome the poverty into which they were born. Lives like that of Mariela Figueroa, the Seattle Institute Leadership student who shared with us her experience at NPH Mexico which allowed her to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist. Because of the continued support of our generous Northwest community, this remarkable young woman and many other bright, motivated children are developing into leaders ready to serve their own communities in need.
Please click here to read Mariela’s speech and learn more about how NPH transforms the lives of children in such a profound and lasting way.

May 20, 2017

SUCCESS, BEER, AND GOOD CHEER IN PORTLAND

The Northwest Region of NPH USA is blessed to have the amazing support and generosity of some of the best people anywhere. With our Regional Office located in Bellevue, we make concerted efforts to stay connected to those wonderful donors and sponsors who live in other areas of the beautiful NW beyond the Seattle/Bellevue area. A group of those wonderful folks living in Portland band together to help share the joy and promise that the NPH family provides for so many children and families with others in the greater Portland area.

We had hoped to raise the costs associated with one particular “household” of boys in Honduras for the year, which costs about $18,000. In the end, with the extreme generosity all who attended of we far surpassed that goal, and raised $25,000 for NPH! Many thanks to all who attended, and a special thank you to Nancy Merchant for the generous matching funds that helped us exceed our goal. Cheers to all our wonderful Portland supporters!

When supporters and donors take it upon themselves to help spread the word about the NPH family and the work and commitment needed to make a real difference in the lives of these children, it serves as the strongest reminder of what real family is and what it means to be part of the global NPH family. Family stands together, works together, shares together. And together the future is made bright and filled with opportunity for children and families otherwise lost to the darkness too many were born into.

So grateful to our NPH family in Portland and their commitment to ensuring all our children have the opportunities and futures they deserve.

May 20, 2016

NPH Haiti Student Graduates from University of Portland!

On May 1, former NPH Haiti student Jean-François Seide graduated from the University of Portland, with a Bachelor’s in Operations and Technology Management. Many NPH supporters throughout the Northwest got to know and love Jean-François during his time living in Seattle in 2011-12, when he was a student in the inaugural class of the NPH Seattle Leadership Institute. JF grew up in Haiti and lost both of his parents at a young age, eventually coming to NPH at age 7. After losing everything in the Haiti earthquake in 2010, he returned to NPH to see how he could help. Jean-François and several of his friends from NPH started the Fr. Wasson Angels of Light program, which provided recreational and educational activities to kids whose families were displaced by the quake. Eventually, the program grew into housing and a school that now serves several hundred children daily.

In 2012, Jean-François started as a freshman at the University of Portland after receiving the Molly Hightower Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was named in honor of a UP graduate, Molly Hightower, who died in the earthquake while volunteering for NPH in Haiti. Molly’s family has a long and deep connection to NPH and the university and one of its donors (also a longtime NPH supporter) funded a scholarship in her name to support an NPH student from Haiti. While at UP JF has taken advantage of numerous opportunities, including service trips to Nicaragua, a leadership institute at Princeton, and is now leading a service trip in India. In the fall he will start a Master’s in Public Policy program at Oxford University in England. The Portland Tribune recently published an article profiling JF and his accomplishments.

No one could be more proud of JF than Rachel Prusynski, a physical therapist based in Seattle who has been supporting him on his journey here in the Northwest. Rachel graduated from UP with Molly and was visiting her in Haiti when the earthquake hit. After returning to the Northwest, Rachel arranged for the scholarship at UP and got involved with NPH, chairing our first Associate Board for young professionals and supporting our efforts in countless other ways. Last year, Rachel helped ensure that a second NPH student from Haiti could also receive a scholarship to attend UP, and Florine St. Eloi just completed her freshman year there this month. We are very grateful to Rachel for her support for all the kids at NPH, and especially her dedication to helping Jean-François and Florine. And we are SO proud of JF for his many accomplishments during his time in Seattle and Portland. It was a joy to watch his journey, to celebrate his graduation with him in Portland, and we look forward to seeing how his path unfolds.

March 16, 2016

NW Associate Board Hosts Carnaval for a Cause!

Carnaval for Cause, planned and executed by the NW Associate Board, is a night of dancing, games, and awareness about global poverty- with the mission of fundraising to provide opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. The group involved many local businesses, restaurants, distilleries, and breweries to grow the success and fun of the evening!

The six NPH leadership students, based in Seattle for their year abroad, celebrated alongside the guests. Julio Ávalos from NPH El Salvador bravely shared his story in front of the group, and invited the Carnaval attendees to make a difference for his brothers and sisters across the nine NPH homes. And the crowd certainly heard his call to action- collectively contributing through sponsoring NPH children, donations, and games. Carnaval is in its third year- and continues to grow in success. We hope to see you there next year!

Thank you to Rachel Prusynski for your personal commitment to chairing the event, and to each member of the NW Associate Board for your support in rallying friends and local businesses to support the NPH mission and programs. NPH is so grateful to all of the event’s sponsors!

      
     

February 16, 2016

NPH Invests in Emerging Leaders

It is exciting to see NPH investing in the development of its staff and emerging leaders, and we were thrilled to get to know them during their time in Seattle. The 12 participants from Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua were social workers, teacher, tíos and tías (caregivers), house directors, lawyers, and other NPH employees who have dedicated much of their lives and careers to helping NPH. Many of the students were also Hermanos Mayores (older brothers and sisters), who grew up at NPH themselves.

The iLEAP participants visited the NPH Seattle office, attended our Board retreat, and many stayed with NPH supporters as host families. During their time in Seattle the NPH staff studied English, attended daily classes in personal development and leadership for social change at iLEAP, and developed projects they will implement when they return home. As they return to NPH and their communities, they will impact and inspire their NPH family to grow in the areas of sustainability, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and partnership, and help secure Fr. Wasson’s dream for his children to contribute to NPH and the world around them. You can see more photos from the graduation ceremony at iLEAP here.

Many thanks to iLEAP, the host families, Donna Egge from NPH International, and the GDP Charitable Trust for investing in and supporting our leaders!

January 20, 2016

Northwest Youth grow relationships with nph Children

Last year, Bishop Blanchet and the St. James Youth Ministry both took mission trips to visit NPH homes. They spent months fundraising for their week-long trips (to Guatemala and Nicaragua respectively)- asking family and friends to support their global engagement experience. Both of these groups were very deliberate in preparing an immersion trip rooted in social justice and solidarity- to really learn from the cultures, people, and ways of life that they would encounter. Of course, connecting with the children is always a life-changing experience that is difficult to leave behind. These groups have been so excited to share NPH with their communities upon returning. Some of their families hosted students from NPH Nicaragua during our Pequeno Tour this fall!

Looking forward to 2016, Eastside Catholic and Bishop Blanchet already have trips planned to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic! We also have many families who will join our open trip to Nicaragua in July. The NPH children are always so excited to meet young people – these are peer relationships that tangibly display the power of global community.

Here in Seattle, a newly formed Youth Board comprised of 9 local students who have visited NPH homes, sponsor NPH children, and have a passion for global issues, is focused on raising funds and awareness in their own school communities. They and many other local youth comprise a significant part of our loyal volunteer base. Their countless hours of volunteer work make possible our events and sponsor correspondence with our children!

Thank you to all of the students who have been involved in trips, local events, and our new Youth Board! This truly makes a difference to the kids, to see their peers making NPH possible.

Local Volunteers go Above and Beyond

Over the last few weeks, NPH USA hosted several successful events to bring the community of NPH supporters together and introduce NPH to new people in the Seattle area. Our Gala on October 24th raised more than $275,000 for the children of NPH and our “Pequeño Tour” featuring student dancers and musicians and Marlon Velasquez, the National Director from NPH Nicaragua, brought the NPH mission to several area churches, schools, and businesses. These events would not have been possible without the help of dozens of volunteers who procured auction items, invited friends, stuffed envelopes, helped at the events, hosted students, and organized events for us! We are so grateful for the time and dedication of these supporters and wanted to highlight three friends of NPH who went “above and beyond” to make our fall events a success: Joe Cotton of St. James Cathedral, Dawn McIntosh of St. Louise Parish, and Mary Waldmann.

Joe Cotton, St. James Cathedral Joe is the Director of Youth Ministry at St. James. He received his BA and Masters in Pastoral Studies from Seattle University and has served as a chaplain/youth minister at St. Luke, St. Anne, King County Juvenile Detention Center, and Swedish Hospital. Joe served as an international volunteer for NPH in Nicaragua in 2005 and 2006 and also served as the Board Chair for NPH here in the Northwest. Last summer, Joe led a mission trip of 25 youth and adults from St. James Cathedral to NPH Nicaragua, beginning a relationship of friendship and solidarity that continued this fall when St. James hosted the pequeños from Nicaragua. Joe organized much of the trip, including finding host families, bringing the NPH kids to participate in Masses, hosting performances by the NPH students at St. James, and providing vans for our transportation. Joe personally welcomed and accompanied the kids from NPH most of the week and is a beloved friend and supporter to them and all the children of NPH. Thank you, Joe!
Dawn McIntosh, St. Louise Parish Dawn is the Coordinator of the NPH Ministry at St. Louise Parish in Bellevue. Dawn is a Civil Engineer working for the WA State Department of Transportation. Dawn has been an active member of St. Louise Parish for many years and became involved with NPH since 2003. She has visited our homes in Honduras and Guatemala and is a loyal supporter of the NPH Seattle Institute and our young leaders. Dawn has organized several successful sponsorship drives at St. Louise and this fall hosted a Fiesta to benefit NPH at the church, raising more than $7,100 and bringing Marlon and the Nicaragua students back to the St. Louise community for an evening of sharing food, culture, and the NPH mission. Thank you, Dawn!
Mary Waldmann, NPH Supporter Mary Waldmann and her husband Ray have been supporters of NPH since 2000. After a successful career as a public relations executive and trainer, Mary raised three wonderful children in Bellevue, WA. She learned about NPH through her church and became a supporter, attending our Gala and other events each year and sponsoring one of our pequeños in Guatemala. Last year, Ray and Mary had the opportunity to visit NPH Guatemala and meet Boris after so many years. It was a joyful meeting and reinforced Mary’s commitment to NPH. Every year, Mary gives countless hours to organizing our auction and raffle items for our Gala. She spends several weeks working with us to create beautiful displays for all of our items and we know we can count on her to do the job flawlessly. Thank you, Mary!

Congratulations to the fourth class of the NPH Leadership Institute

We are thrilled to congratulate Samy, Magda, Nelson, Florine, Lucre, and Luisa on finishing their remarkable year of learning and growth in Seattle! Back in September, we welcomed this fourth cohort of the NPH Seattle Leadership Institute to Seattle with open arms. It has been truly incredible to see them develop and grow over the past ten months, and get to know these devoted, funny, accomplished, and promising leaders. We have been impressed at how much their English has improved and by the questions and self-discovery they have explored during their time in the Northwest. They have touched so many hearts in the NPH family and beyond, and they have inspired us with their own stories and their plans to help NPH in the future.

We are also grateful to the host families, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and others who have walked with them on their journey and continue to help NPH – thank you for your support! Last but not least, a big shout-out to Kara King, the Seattle Institute Director, and Donna Egge, NPH’s Director of Family Services, who have supported and guided these students from day one. The legacy of leadership at NPH is strong because of your commitment and service to our young leaders! You can read reflections from and more about the students who will be graduating this year at the NPH Seattle Leadership Institute blog.

NPH USA Northwest Golf Classic a Big Win for All!

Thank you to our players, sponsors, and volunteers for coming out to play in our first annual NPH USA Northwest Golf Classic! We had a great day of golf and raised over $63,000 for the children of NPH! See you next year!

GiveBIG a Success!

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, NPH USA raised more than $27,000 through GiveBIG this year on May 5. GiveBIG is a community-wide day of online giving hosted by The Seattle Foundation that raised more than $16 million for nonprofits in our community. NPH USA has proudly participated in GiveBIG each year and is proud to partner with The Seattle Foundation.

We are especially grateful to NPH supporters Ann and Don Connolly and to the Seattle International Foundation for their challenge grants totaling $15,000, which will match funds raised on May 5 – thank you for your generous support! We will also receive some additional matching funds from the Seattle Foundation in the coming weeks.

Ann shared with us recently about their support of NPH: “Don and I had the pleasure of our first trip to an NPH home in February, when we met the little boy we sponsor, and ended up sponsoring his siblings as well! Our time at NPH was life changing and we look forward to going back! We are VERY committed to helping these precious children, so that they may have productive, secure lives. At NPH, they are getting a quality upbringing – lots of love, security and guidance. We are honored to get to know them and be a part of supporting their progress. We are increasing our support during GiveBIG this year because we believe in NPH’s work and we want to help broaden its impact.”

Many thanks again to Ann and Don and everyone who supported us during GiveBIG this year!

2015 Faces of Hope

Our FoH events in Seattle and Bellevue were successful thanks to our wonderful donors, sponsors, Stefan Feuerstein, the national director of NPH Honduras, and the participation of our international leadership institute students, especially Nelson Álvarez Hernández from Honduras and Luisa Riiki from Guatemala! We were able to raise $150,00 to support the mission of NPH!

Carnaval for a Cause Raises Over $23,000 for NPH

Seattle’s young professionals celebrated in style on February 21st to raise funds and awareness for NPH at its second annual Carnaval for a Cause. The local NPH USA Associate Board planned and hosted the sold-out event, which raised over $23,000 from a fun-filled evening in South Lake Union complete with dancing, masks, a photo-booth, and games. It was incredible to see the energy of Seattle’s young people rallying together to create such an impact on NPH by joining the cause, donating and sponsoring children at the NPH homes! Proceeds from the event are enough to provide a full year of comprehensive healthcare for eleven children or provide six years of university education.

Thank you to everyone who attended to make the party such a success, and to all of the sponsors who made the event possible, including Tranche Cellars for their generous wine donation! We hope to see everyone at Carnaval next year!

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