A Meaningful Gift for a Joyous Season! Celebrate this holiday season by making a meaningful gift that creates opportunities for growth and success. With Spark Ventures, your donation can honor a loved one while empowering future leaders in their communities. Our Holiday Giving catalog is filled with...
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Meet Jennifer Kim: Impact Travel Alumni & Spark Ventures Board Member How were you first introduced to Spark, and can you share a bit about why you chose to travel with Spark? I first heard about Spark Ventures through my friend (and Spark board member), Kathy Wolf....
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Months ago, when Sue Bernstein first began meeting with the 9 US educators traveling to Zambia, they had grand plans. - Three full class days of STEM, ELA and Computer Studies lessons for 550 kids from preschool to grade 11 - Lessons created by educators from Chicago...
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Hope Community School in Zambia provides high-impact education, nutrition and healthcare programming to over 550 children who face many barriers to achieving their full potential. Since 2006, Spark Ventures and Hope staff, volunteers, and teachers have created a thriving campus that...
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We are thrilled to welcome a new member to the Spark team! In January 2024, Julia Sistachs joined Spark as our Events Management Intern. After an incredible few months, we're excited to share that Julia will be continuing her Spark journey as a part time...
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In Mexico, an incredibly important holiday was just celebrated: Dia de los Ninos, or Day of the Children. Full of games and activities, Dia de los Ninos is a time to squeeze the children in our lives extra tight and reflect...
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In April, Head Teacher Ng’oma from Hope Community School in Zambia arrived at the Chicago airport with one checked bag and a backpack. Two weeks later, he arrived back in Zambia with two checked bags, a backpack, and a carry on!...
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A warm welcome to the newest member of Spark’s Board of Directors, Carol Thompson! We are thrilled to introduce you to the Spark community, Carol! Tell us a bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Iowa. I have a B.A. in Journalism and Sociology from...
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Spark’s partner organization, We Grow Chicago, is continually seeking solutions to poverty and disinvestment while empowering the broader community of West Englewood. Thanks to the incredible work of We Grow Chicago, initiatives and programs provide resources and create opportunities for community members. The Inspiration Lab,...
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¡Hola Entreamigos! An incredible group of Spark travelers visited our partner organization in San Pancho, Mexico in the beginning of February. For four packed days, enthusiastic and passionate Spark travelers focused on making a lasting and sustainable impact by learning about...
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At Hope Community School, vulnerable students receive incredible educational opportunities that change lives. Dedicated educators, staff, and Spark volunteers inspire students to learn, grow, and dream about their futures. Hope prepares its students for success in and out of the classroom;...
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In Nicaragua, pathways to self-sufficiency are created and supported by Spark's partner organization: Las Tias. At Las Tias, vocational training and programs provide long-lasting benefits to individuals, families, and communities. The foundational saying of Las Tias- “No al trabajo infantil, ¡si...
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At Spark Ventures, we are committed to our mission of providing sustainable solutions to lift communities out of poverty and empower future leaders. Education is an essential part of Spark’s mission because it is key to individual sustainability, helping to break...
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Hope Community School co-founder Margaret Mumba and Hope’s Teacher Lighton Mwelwa recently embarked on a transformational journey from Zambia to the United States. Thank you to Spark Board members Sue Bernstein - whose generosity and tireless efforts made the trip possible - and Leon Reed...
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Entreamigos has a widespread impact on the personal community of San Pancho, but their reach continues to extend even further. For over ten years, Entreamigos has partnered with universities in Mexico, the United States, and Europe to provide internship opportunities to college students. For six...
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For over fifteen years, Spark Ventures has brought travelers to our international and local partners in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago to see our work in action. Spark’s Signature Travel Experiences are culturally empowering, mutually beneficial, and focused on lasting impact. At...
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Entreamigos, Spark’s partner in San Pancho, Mexico, has been blessed with incredible leadership and staff. Since 2006, Entreamigos has dedicated themselves to San Pancho’s youth and their families. Through environmentalism, women’s and youth programming, Entreamigos has and continues to empower the...
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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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