"Most people know Spring Break as one week during the school year when students of all kinds across the country get time off from school to do whatever they please. I, for the first time in several years, was unable to spend my Spring Break selfishly indulging myself. It’d be very easy for me to see that lost privilege as a bad thing, however, the one hundred hours I spent playing with, mentoring, and teaching children was more than worth it. It’s rather difficult for me to sacrifice my free-time for labor, but when it was all said and done, I’m glad I did."
-Jaron Carlson, HOPE Spring Break Camp 2012
"We were able to give them the attention they needed and let them know they are cared about as individuals. Once again I was reminded how life changing service is, and how most people just need a little love in order to shine."
- Merry Pierce, HOPE Spring Break Camp 2012
"There are three people who touched my heart during my time in Cambodia...These people have given up “the sweet life” to serve the poor, not just for two weeks or even a year, but for the rest of their lives. They don’t advertise it, they just do it and they love what they do, because they love the people they serve. They show me that you don’t have to be Mother Theresa to give up your life for service, you can be anybody."
- Juna May, Sharing HOPE SE Asia 2011
"I feel like I really appreciate what I have; the Cambodian’s were all so upbeat in conditions that we as Americans would find deplorable. Very humbling. Being able to buy the rice and school supplies and see exactly where it was going and who it would benefit took my fulfillment in this endeavor to a higher level."
- Jeanne Molitor, Sharing HOPE SE Asia 2011
"People living with less are not sad. Often these people are more content. Our event made the boys and girls club a cleaner, safer and more aesthetically pleasing place to be...I really enjoyed working with kids a lot. I came to serve and that’s what we did. I loved all the work that was done and the impact we made on the kids."
- Tyson Klein, HYC 2011
"You can make an impact even if its not shown in immediate results. The kids saw our AmeriCorps love for each other. Us loving them made them feel safe. I knew they would have fun with us, but I didn’t think they would ask me to move in, add me on Facebook and trust me this much. This experience like all HOPE experiences has made such an impact in my life."
- Kathryn Maleiko, HYC 2011
"Something I will take with me as a result of this experience is the desire to take initiative in finding ways to improve groups or communities. There are numerous needs waiting to be met close to my own home as well as around the world. Without initiative to seek means to better entire populations or even single neighborhoods, improvement will cease. With an open mind, perseverance, and courage I will strive to make a positive
influence on struggling areas."
-Kendal Baldwin, HYC 2011
"Being loving to everyone can change a community."
- Grant Asaad, HYC 2011
The struggles of youth in the North are not uncommon, but the biggest
issues facing them are drug and alcohol abuse, suicides, and furthering
their education. Our primary goal - Open their eyes to see they can be a
part of the solution and agents of change, if they withstand social
pressures. With what we learned, our goal is to continue bringing awareness, hope
and inspiration to the younger generations through camps like this.
