Pixel ID: 1097148713796371 ______________________________
Double your impact before 2024!

Double your impact before 2024!

On January 20, we’re bringing together acclaimed chefs from throughout Mexico and the US to celebrate the food and culture of the Yucatan at our inaugural Muestra Gastronomica in Kantunilkin, and we need your help.

We have totally reimagined our annual Winter Conference, with a delicious culinary spin. We’re tapping into the rich history of this region by bringing back one of its most beloved celebrations. The concept of a Muestra Gastronomica is well known throughout this region. It’s a time when the entire community comes together to celebrate their vibrant cuisine. We’re adding our own unique touch through workshops and conference sessions that will introduce community members of all ages to the culinary arts and the exciting careers they can have access to with training from the Hands Offering Hope Culinary Institute.

To put on this epic event, we need to raise $15,000 by the end of the year. A handful of our generous board members have pledged to match your contributions dollar for dollar up to $7,500- so we’re depending on your generous year-end gifts to get us across the finish line.

This event will allow us to reach so many young people from throughout Quintana Roo who don’t realize the opportunities that lie within their reach. So many young men and women in this region dream of more for their lives, and we can’t wait to meet them and share what is possible.

Now through December 31 your year-end giving will have DOUBLE the impact. Can we count on you?

 

Click here to give.

 

 

Inspired by Leonardo

Inspired by Leonardo

By: Ricardo Sanchez Puente

Earlier this month, when our small group of Culinary and Hospitality Institute students arrived in Mexico City for the tamal competition, we knew we had hard work ahead of us.

With such talented fellow competitors, our hope was simple—that students would gain valuable culinary experiences, grow their skills, and build connections. In the end, we did so much more than that.

On competition day, our students worked the masa dough like pros. In the melting pot of Mexico City, there are so many varieties of tamales—but the ones our students prepared stood out. They used their home-grown spices and ingredients to create an exceptionally flavorful filling, and then wrapped it all in banana leaves and cooked it to perfection.

And they won.

They won the whole competition. Much to everyone’s surprise, the judges chose the tamales prepared by a small group of students from Quintana Roo—students that you and I know are exceptional. Students we believe in and invest in each and every day.

Two of these students—Leonardo and Vasti—worked together to take first place against students from all over the country who have many more years of formal training and resources available to them.

After celebrating our achievements and enjoying the sights and foods of Mexico City, we boarded the plane and returned to Quintana Roo. Upon our return, Leonardo invited me to cook and enjoy dinner with him and his family. I gladly accepted—and it was an amazing experience for me.

First, we went hunting together. Leonardo showed me how to shoot small game, which we brought back to the dirt patio next to his family’s home. Leonardo started a fire on a homemade stove made from two cement blocks and space for firewood. It’s where he first learned to cook—and where he has continued to hone his craft as he builds new skills at the Culinary and Hospitality Institute. Using a small pan balanced over the flames, he cooked the meat perfectly. We feasted on delicious sereque—Yucatan cooked squirrel—with roasted tomatoes and onions.

As I looked around, I was overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. This young man grew up with so few resources—but he has risen to the top of all the culinary students in the nation.

And friends, this is exactly why Hands Offering Hope exists. Because of people like Leonardo and their exceptional potential. Because we believe that young people can do incredible things, regardless of their surroundings, beginnings, or circumstances.

Leonardo had the determination, the potential, and the skill. And YOU gave him the resources and opportunities he needed to thrive.

Leonardo told us that his mom and aunts got him excited about cooking when he was 17—but he had a huge challenge. There was no culinary school nearby—much less one he could afford.

When he heard Hands Offering Hope was starting a Culinary Institute, he jumped at the opportunity. And ever since he was accepted, he has excelled. What’s more, he has enjoyed every minute—and he dreams of leading a culinary team of his own one day.

Thanks to his drive and your generosity, I know it won’t be long before he sees that dream come true.

 

Operation Graduate Professionals Panel

Operation Graduate Professionals Panel

As part of our Operation Graduate program, we welcomed a panel of professionals to Casa Hope to discuss how they chose their careers and share the challenges they overcame to pursue them.

One of the best parts of this event was seeing Iran Armando Pool Kumul, a member of the very first class of Michael Lotito Fellows, up on the panel! He graduated with a degree in tourism business management and development, and he shared with the students that the lessons he learned at Hands Offering Hope were a huge part of pushing him to where he is now.

It was so awesome to have these professionals at Casa Hope, and we hope our students believe that if our panelists can do it, so can they!

Visiting Chefs

Visiting Chefs

Omar Mendiola Flores, the executive chef of Punta Corcho restaurant, and Chef Diana Puente, of the Muelle 11 restaurant, visited Casa Hope and presented a mini masterclass on new cooking techniques to our Culinary Institute students.

Chef Diana taught students how to perfect grouper and cucumber ceviche while sharing a powerful word for the women: “Life in the kitchen isn’t easy, but remember, if a man can do it, so can we.”

Chef Omar made Ensenada-style tacos and shared advice and tips for the young culinary trainees.

We are so grateful for these incredibly talented chefs visiting us and sharing their wisdom with our students!

Festival de Raíces y Tradiciones

Festival de Raíces y Tradiciones

This year, to celebrate Día de los Muertos, we planned and hosted a special three-day event called “Festival of Roots and Traditions.” Casa Hope was overflowing with yellow marigold petals, flickering candles, brightly colored banners, carefully crafted altars, and students in swirling traditional dresses.

Our culinary students made 120 loaves of delectable “pan de muerto” sweet bread for the event, as well as atole and tamales in banana leaves. Leadership Club and Operation Graduate students crafted several exquisite altars traditional to different parts of Mexico, and we also hosted a fascinating presentation by Kantunilkín’s official chronicler who told traditional Mayan legends.

It was a packed weekend, but one full of celebration, laughter, great food, and lots of learning!

 

Meet Courtney, our interim director!

Meet Courtney, our interim director!

I’m writing with some super exciting news! On Friday, Adiel and I welcomed our baby girl, Lucia Joy, into the world!

We’re getting settled at home and figuring out life as a family of four—and my maternity leave is beginning a few weeks earlier than expected! I will be away from my professional responsibilities with Hands Offering Hope for a few months, but I am leaving you in the most capable hands possible.

It is my pleasure to introduce Courtney Hartl as Hands Offering Hope’s interim executive director! 

I met Courtney in Connecticut when she served me a delicious cup of coffee across the counter of her coffee shop. We became fast friends, and I invited her to Mexico to teach our students how to make coffee and run a small business. She has been a dedicated volunteer and staff member ever since.

In addition to her love for our students and passion for our work, Courtney has an undergrad degree in intercultural studies and a master’s in nonprofit management, so she brings with her a wealth of knowledge on cross-cultural nonprofit dynamics.

When she’s not running Source or working with our team in Mexico, she loves hiking, camping, and traveling with her family (she has a dream of visiting every national park!). She lives in Bridgeport, CT with her husband, daughter, dog, two cats, and lizard.

As I take time to focus on my own family, I know you will be in great hands with Courtney. Please show her a warm welcome and point any questions her way!

As always, seguimos adelante!

Amy

Unlock their potential, disrupt the cycle of poverty

Unlock their potential, disrupt the cycle of poverty

In Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, the region in which Hands Offering Hope works, 47.2% of people live in moderate or extreme poverty. All too often, financial hardships prevent the students we serve from believing they can build a better life for themselves. They become stuck in the cycle of simply surviving, often believing they have only one choice of vocation—the family trade. When the only life you know is one focused on getting from one day to the next, it’s hard to imagine that you can dream bold dreams—and accomplish them. 

On the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we remember our commitment to fighting poverty through education, leadership training, and mentorship. We remember our commitment to showing students they can be and do more than they ever thought possible.

At Hands Offering Hope’s Summer Institute, we bring in speakers from around the world who are the best in their fields—disciplines like music and science and art and business—to give students living, breathing examples of people who have accomplished their goals. Then we tell the students, “You too can dream big. You too can reach your dreams.” For some of these students, this might be the first time someone has looked them in the eyes and told them they have confidence in them.

Suddenly, a world of possibilities bursts open before them.

 

The first step is inspiring our students to dream and telling them they are capable, they are talented, they are smart, and, through hard work and dedication, they can make their dreams come true.

The second step is coming alongside them with the resources, education, training, and mentorship to enable them to pursue their passions.  

Education is recognized as one of the most powerful tools for poverty alleviation because it doesn’t just pause the cycle, it breaks it. And education is a central part of everything Hands Offering Hope does.  

Through Operation Graduate, we teach students English, science, and leadership, ensuring that they are able to stay in high school, graduate, and be ready to be strong, capable leaders in their future careers. 

Through our Culinary and Hospitality Institute, we provide top-quality culinary training that prepares students for jobs in the local hospitality and tourism industry—an industry that is booming in the region we serve. Without any formal culinary education, these students and young people are often stuck permanently in entry-level, low-paying jobs. But with education, a world of possibilities opens up before them. 

Through our Michael Lotito Fellowship, we foster creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, business knowledge, and interview experience—marketable skills that will prepare our bright, talented students to excel in whatever lies ahead of them.

And through the Institute, we cultivate an attitude of learning. Every day is an opportunity to discover, build relationships, and grow. 

Hands Offering Hope’s global community sees, encourages, and supports students in Mexico. Together, we show young leaders that they can be bold; that they are full of incredible potential. 

And when students unlock their potential, they disrupt the cycle of poverty—one student, one family, one community at a time.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Taste of Mexico

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Taste of Mexico—our Taco Tuesday celebration! It was awesome to spend an evening on the beach with so many of you, and even more special to enjoy incredibly delicious food prepared by our chef and restaurant partners.

Best of all, we raised essential support to expand our Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Casa Hope—a program that is equipping a new generation of chefs in Mexico and helping young leaders access meaningful careers that will help them support themselves and their families. We are so excited to build a new classroom for this program, and it’s possible because of YOU.

Take two minutes to get an inside look at the event—and be sure to stay tuned for even more Culinary and Hospitality Institute updates coming soon!

 

Administrative Coordinator

Hands Offering Hope is looking for a new Administrative Coordinator! Are you an organized self-starter who is excited about empowering young leaders in Mexico? We would love for you to join our dynamic team!

To learn more about the position or apply now, please contact info@handsofferinghope.org!

Purpose

The Administrative Coordinator exists to provide support to all Hands Offering Hope functions and staff. This position is a part-time, hourly position that averages 20 hours per week with peak months being December, March, May-August. The majority of this position is remote and can be done from home. However, weekly visits to Trumbull, CT to file papers, pick up documents and coordinate for events should be expected.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Maintain an organized filing system both online and in the office
  • Manage and respond to info@handsofferinghope.org
  • Complete and send monthly donor receipts and year-end receipts
  • Support the Development Director in various donor management, research, events and campaigns
  • Facilitate travel for all staff and visitors as needed
  • Ensure that donor records are accurate and are updated when new information is available
  • File monthly expense reports for all staff
  • Serve as point of contact for any general inquiries
  • Order, ship and research items for purchase for events or donor relationships when relevant
  • Facilitate the planning of and support the annual September board meeting (may include travel)
  • Develop documents, systems and formats that serve the objectives of various projects in Development and general organizational operations
  • When necessary, make reservations, appointments and follow ups on behalf of the President and the Development Director
  • Draft donor and visitor-facing communication for trips, meetings and events
  • Additional administrative tasks as needed

Requirements

  • Organized, detail-oriented and passionate about order
  • A quick learner who maintains a posture of service
  • Familiar with google drive, Microsoft office, Quickbooks and online banking platforms
  • Flexible, creative problem-solver who is able to adjust well to fast-paced change
  • Interest in youth and education
  • Experience in office management a plus
  • High school degree required