Hope for Families

Camp Hope costa rica is a one-week, overnight camp program for underserved children from san jose, costa rica. 100 campers. Ages 8-14 primarily come from the slum communities around the capital, many of whom are immigrants from neighboring countries. Every camper is hand- picked to attend camp by one of the partner organizations we work with. All of them needed to hear there is Hope beyond their circumstances, that they are loved and they are valuable. Camp was held at campamento bautista about 45 minutes from the communities where the campers live. Campers experienced an amazing facility, activities they had only dreamed of, ate amazing homecooked meals and had so much fun. In the midst of it all, in this safe place, they were able to share their troubles, to be encouraged through others who had walked through similar experiences, and to heal. Our local costa rican team is always busy post camp - building relationships, visiting with Families, meeting critical needs, advocating for everyone, and loving big for all the 358 days between camps.

Street of Hope latvia (formerly known as Hope for Families latvia) is a non-profit ministry in latvia, that works with impoverished children and their Families. Street of Hope currenty serves 300 of the poorest in latvia. This is year round work, and helps take care of critical needs of Families. Street of Hope helps with jobs, parenting, counseling, supporting struggling Families, transportation when necessary, education, medication, and when necessary, housing, food, and heat.

Camp Hope latvia is 2, week long overnight camps for underserved children from all around latvia (eastern europe). 180 campers, ages 5-18 were hand-picked because of the dire circumstances. Camp took place at silmaci camp. Campers swam, danced, did crafts. Played games, sang, heard amazing messages about god's great love for them, stayed up late, ate great high quality food, shared, talked, sang, and encouraged each other. Several former campers were staff. New and old friendships were strengthened.

Camp Hope richmond is a week long overnight camp program for underserved children from metro richmond, Virginia. August 1, 2022 all volunteer staff were committed, campers were registered, and every detail planned. Ten days prior to camp there was a spike in covid cases and hospitalizations. Other camps were ending their camp seasons early, so the board make the very difficult decision to cancel camp Hope richmond 2022. As we did 2 years earlier we took to the road and visited with campers taking camp to them. We meet on front doorsteps, sidewalks, and basketball courts. We delivered boxes of supplies that we called "camp in-a-box. We took food and other necessities (tp, paper towels, masks, detergents, cleaning supplies, feminine products) as well as fun camp crafts, t-shirts, and activities. It was a unique experience that gave us a far bigger perspective, great opportunities for follow-up, and a list of things to pray through. As summer rolled into fall, we outfitted campers (in small groups) with winter coats, hats, and gloves from burlington coat factory, and a meal out (5 guys & chick-fil-a were the favorites). It was a precious time to sit outside of their neighborhoods and to talk about all that was going on in their lives.