Spark Ventures

Happy to our generous supporters! Because of your dedication of time, talent & treasure to Spark’s mission, we are able to invest in the sustainability of our partners and their communities. Most recently, you helped us close a funding shortfall for Las Tias in Nicaragua by donating $25,000 to support transportation scholarships, vocational skills training and literacy classes. Thank you for your generosity that continues to support the sustainability of individuals, organizations and the environment!

The children at Las Tias had an exciting week filled with a new activity each day! They kicked off with Art Day, spending the day coloring and crafting. Next, they celebrated Mother Earth by writing heartfelt messages about caring for her and creating drawings. Then, they dove into their favorite books, making crafts inspired by their favorite story. Finally, on Athlete’s Day, they captured their favorite sports in abstract art. What a fun and creative week for the students of Las Tias!

Happy to Entreamigos, our partner in San Pancho, Mexico! Entreamigos continues their dedication to serving children & families in their community by believing in & practicing their foundational pillars:

Education for everyone
Environmental stewardship
Dedication to the community

We’re honored to be your partner and watch you grow!

Zooming with Zambia pairs dedicated early-morning volunteers in the US with learners at Hope Community School in Zambia for weekly enrichment sessions in Math, Literacy, Science and Computer Studies. Students at different grade levels enjoy a tailored curriculum which enhances their classroom studies. Many sessions feature breakout rooms giving the Hope learners a chance for more personalized attention and small group collaboration. Our US team also works virtually with the Hope teachers providing lesson ideas and teaching strategies, even helping Hope with their fledgling Debate Team. Our heartfelt gratitude to our team of 16 Zooming with Zambia volunteers!

Happy to our team! Without their passion and commitment, Spark's work and collaboration with our partners to provide sustainable solutions that empower individuals and communities would not be possible.

Kristin Schrepferman, Executive Director
Katie Gustafson, Event & Communications Manager
Michelle Morin, Finance & CRM Manager Julia Sistachs, Executive Coordinator
Martha Vargas, Program Manager

Thank you for taking on the responsibility of fulfilling Spark’s mission every day.

The newly updated Tech Center is officially open for use, offering computer and graphic design classes to the Entreamigos community. The women entrepreneurs are participating in computer literacy classes to enhance their design skills in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Jeronima, Chayo, and Giovanna are 3 entrepreneurs who are actively participating in these classes several mornings a week. The skills they learn will help them with their business production and enhance eco-design!

The Nicaragua Critical Needs Campaign was a HUGE success raising $17,500 for the students of Las Tias. With our $7,500 match, that puts the total amount raised at $25,000! Because of this campaign and your extremely generous donations, 180 students will receive transportation scholarships, and literacy & vocational skills programming. Spark Ventures and Las Tias can't thank you enough for your contributions!

Didn't get a chance to donate? It's not too late! sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund

Happy to our local partner, We Grow Chicago! The We Grow Chicago collaborative of local nonprofit organizations proves that teamwork and dedication can unite to create a thriving community in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood.

We’re thankful for your work to create a safe community space where residents can demand action to improve their quality of life.

Our 2024 trip to Zambia has come to an end, but the memories and friendships we made will last forever! Our last few days included a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River, a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls, a full day safari in Botswana's Chobe National Park, a game drive & rhino walk, ziplining, a tour of Livingstone, an adrenaline-inducing swim at the top of Victoria Falls, and much more! Our last night ended with dinner, reflection, and lots of laughter. Thank you to our amazing group for joining us on this life-changing & world-changing experience. Check out our upcoming trips, we'd love to travel with you! https://sparkventures.org/travel-with-spark-ventures-2/

Spark's travelers contributed a much needed generator to Hope Community School this month. Zambia’s primary source of electricity is hydropower. Due to a severe drought, the entire country is experiencing rolling blackouts called "load shedding". The most serious consequence for Hope's campus is the loss of running water (which requires an electric pump). Having just recovered from a cholera outbreak, the generator ensures running water for good hygiene and access to important classroom resources. Thank you to our travelers for this important donation.

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to contribute to the Nicaragua Critical Needs Fund. Spark Ventures cannot thank you enough for the support you have shown during this campaign raising $13,595 for Las Tias so far. But in order to completely eliminate the funding shortfall, we need to raise $3,905 more! Help provide transportation scholarships, literacy and vocational training to 180 students by donating!
sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund

It was such a privilege to travel to Zambia with Michelle "Chellee" Rashad, We Grow Chicago's Executive Director! Chellee shared her enthusiasm and compassion with Hope's students. She read, led discussions, and engaged in fun activities centered around The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. We absolutely love when our partners connect with each other to inspire innovation, deepen insights, and foster friendships. Thanks for joining us, Chellee!

There is only one week left to contribute to the Las Tias Critical Needs Campaign! This campaign works to combat the recent funding shortfall Las Tias experienced. Help fundraise our remaining $4,555 to help eliminate obstacles by donating to the Nicaragua Critical Needs Campaign TODAY. sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund

After an incredible and impactful week at Hope Community School, our travelers left Ndola early Saturday morning and arrived in Livingstone in the afternoon. After lunch at the hotel, they enjoyed some downtime then headed out for a magical dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. They enjoyed a beautiful sunset, delicious dinner and saw hippos, crocodiles, birds and so much more!

Friday was our travelers last day at Hope Community School. They ended their week with a traditional Zambian dinner under the stars with children from the Hope House Orphanage. It was the perfect way to end an incredible & impactful week engaging with our Zambian partner. They are now in Livingstone exploring the all of natural beauty Zambia has to offer!

We've loved our time at Hope Community School with Chicago's Burr Elementary School teachers Sarah and Emily! They spent their week in the classrooms teaching reading and math. Sarah is helping create a new book club. She loved how the students lit up when they saw the books and how excited they were to participate in reading groups. Emilly was inspired by the sense of community in the classrooms and how much the students build each other up. Thank you for sharing your compassion, kindness and love of teaching with the incredible students at Hope!

It has been so wonderful traveling to Zambia with Lincoln Park Preschool and Kindergarten teachers Danielle, Abby, Meg and Sydney. They spent their week teaching in the Hope Community Preschool classrooms which are sponsored by LPP. They shared how amazed and humbled they were by how freely the children share and how much empathy they have for each other. They were inspired by the power of song and the sense of community it creates. And they loved meeting with the teachers. Thank you to the LPP teachers for the lessons you shared, your collaboration with the teachers, your compassion, and kindness. Your love for teaching shines far and wide!

The other day, our travelers visited the Hope Community School Farm. The farm supports Hope’s meal program & generates revenue for the school at local markets. Talk about sustainability!

Our travelers enjoyed learning about the new fish ponds, new cabbage seedlings, banana trees, goats & chickens!

Our travelers are nearing the end of their time at Hope Community School in Zambia. Today was their last day in the classrooms with Hope's incredible students and teachers. This afternoon they shopped at a local market and purchased vegetables, beans, rice and cabbage for tomorrow night's dinner with Hope's staff and Hope House children. They aren't ready for the week to end!

Board member Sue Bernstein has spent the last few months working with educators to plan lessons & activities for Hope’s students in Zambia. Now they are in the classrooms teaching substantive lessons and sharing different techniques with Hope’s teachers. Sue, we can’t thank you enough for the work you have put into coordinating these impactful experiences!

Today was the first full day our travelers spent in the Hope School classrooms! The lessons were inspired by a book they read called, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”. Some students learned about the power of wind by making pinwheels. How cool!

We are less than a week into our Las Tias Critical Needs campaign and have raised $6,072 thanks to all of your generous donations! Las Tias works tirelessly everyday to provide education, vocational training, transportation, healthcare, social-emotional support and much more. Daniel, a recent graduate from the barbering vocational program, said, "Las Tias has always looked out for my well-being and personal growth." You can help support more individuals like Daniel by donating to the Critical Needs Fund and sharing this post! sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund

We're so happy to have Mac & Talon with us in Zambia! They're having so much fun reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, and spending time in the classrooms. Mac especially enjoys playing soccer and sharing his computer skills with the students. Talon loved all the hugs she got from the preschool students on her first day. Thank you for joining us, Mac & Talon!

Our travelers just finished their first day at Hope Community School in Zambia!
They had a wonderful welcome ceremony, toured Hope Community School & learned about Hope's origin story and their impressive trajectory of growth. The travelers got to meet the students & got a peek into the classrooms they’ll be working in this week.
What an amazing day & the trip is only just beginning! Stay tuned for more updates throughout the week!

Board member Jen Kim & daughter Avery are excited to be back in Zambia this summer! Jen is excited to see the incredible progress that’s happening at Hope Community School & Avery is looking forward to rebuilding connections with the students & teachers. We excited to spend the week at Hope with both of them!

Greetings from Zambia! Everyone is here! We’re excited to spend the week collaborating with the incredible leaders, teachers and students at Hope Community School. 🇿🇲❤️🌞

We have EXCITING NEWS that thanks to a very generous donor, our match donation is increased to $7,500! In just a few days, we've already raised $5,441 for the Nicaragua Critical Needs campaign! Keep donating and help us hit our match goal!
The programming Las Tias provides uplifts and empowers countless children, teens and adults. Marvin, a 17-year old student at Las Tias said this, "They always provide opportunities to the people who need them the most." Consider donating or sharing this post to help support Las Tias! sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund

Celebrate with us on October 17th at Cafe Brauer as we Join Hands to Uplift and Empower! You'll hear about the work our partners are doing and have an opportunity to contribute to their impact! Mark your calendars for Spark's Fall Gala and stay tuned for details!

Today, we are launching the Nicaragua Critical Needs campaign to support Las Tias in addressing a funding shortfall. We need your help to ensure they can sustain critical programming in the coming year. Our goal is to raise $15,000 by July 31st. Your contributions will provide transportation scholarships, ensuring students can always travel to and from school and Las Tias, as well as fund essential literacy and vocational training. Join our community of supporters to help us reach our goal! sparkventures.org/nicaraguafund