A warm welcome our newest member of Spark’s Board of Directors- Leon Reed! With over 25 years of experience as a science and engineering professional, Leon’s passion for education, his volunteer work with Spark Ventures and Hope Community School, and his...
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Thanks to the sponsors, donors, and participants of the 2023 Spark Ventures Wine & Dine, over $220,000 was raised to support Spark’s partnerships in Mexico, Chicago, Zambia, and Nicaragua. The donations of time, talent, and treasure made over the course of...
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We Grow Chicago is Spark Ventures’ Chicago-based partner and serves the greater Englewood community. Founded in 2013, We Grow now consists of five West-Englewood based nonprofits, and focuses on enriching their community through youth programming, food security,...
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Spark’s partnership in Twapia, Zambia provides nutrition, healthcare, educational programming and jobs to their community. Today, Hope Community School supports the needs of over 450 beneficiaries through primary and secondary education systems, meal services, a healthcare clinic,...
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Since Spark’s partnership with Las Tías in Nicaragua began, the women-led organization has grown to include two thriving community centers that provide over 150 youth with meals, education, job skills training, and reliable physical and mental health care. With the help...
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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, international trips to Spark Ventures’ partners have been on hold. Although we were able to connect with our partners over Zoom, we have been excitedly awaiting the day when we could resume our...
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This week, we’re back with Rich Johnson to learn more about his recent trip to visit Hope Community School in Zambia. For the first time since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, Rich had the opportunity to travel back to Spark’s first partner organization....
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Rich Johnson co-founded Spark Ventures in 2007 after a trip to Zambia. Fast-forward 15 years later to the fall of 2022, when Rich had the opportunity to travel back to Zambia and visit Hope Community School for the first time...
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We are thrilled to welcome our newest team member: Martha Vargas! In her new role as Program Manager, Martha is bringing over 20 years of experience as well as a passion for empowering families towards economic self-sufficiency. Let's get to know Martha a bit better...
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In the United States, many of us who attended school share some very specific memories, no matter the time or place. Some of those might be “too much homework”, “sharing snacks at lunch”, or even, “dissecting an owl pellet in science class”. Along with the...
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