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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We are excited to introduce you to our newest team member, Tobi Agurkis, working with Spark part-time as a Marketing Consultant. She joined us in early August and is looking forward to partnering with the team to further Spark’s mission. Here’s Tobi with a little bit...
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In 1989, after the Nicaraguan Revolution, many children were alone and hungry on the streets of León, the second largest city in Nicaragua. A group of eight business women noticed some of these children stealing food from market stalls. Instead of chasing them away, the...
Read MoreAn important and integral part of Spark's mission is healthcare - both physical and mental. All of our partner organizations serve vulnerable communities and understand the critical need for healthcare interventions. Each of our partners provide resources and expertise to address the mental health and...
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The opportunity to virtually connect with our international partners and to bridge the digital divide for our partner in Chicago has been a bright spot in the midst of a challenging battle against the pandemic. Despite the obvious barriers to travel and our visits, we...
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Hope Community School’s Village Banking program is continuing to educate and empower members of their community in Twapia, Zambia. In addition to providing fresh vegetables from the Hope Community School Farm for participants to sell, this impactful program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to attain financial...
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The opportunity to virtually connect with our international partners and to bridge the digital divide for our partner in Chicago has been a bright spot in the midst of a challenging battle against the pandemic. Despite the obvious barriers to travel and our visits, we...
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At Spark, our mission is to provide sustainable solutions to lift communities out of poverty and empower future leaders. Back in 2020, we formed a partnership with I Grow Chicago as their mission of growing Englewood from surviving to thriving through community connection, skill building,...
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We’re honored to welcome this year’s inductees to Spark’s Founders’ Circle. These individuals have reached a significant milestone in giving and have impacted Spark’s mission in unique & inspiring ways. They have put their hearts into supporting our important work and have expanded our impact...
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We are so excited to introduce you to our newest team member, Katie Gustafson, taking on the role of Nonprofit Assistant. She joined the team in mid-August and is excited to get to know our one-of-a-kind community and support Spark’s mission. Katie is a recent...
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You've Made Your Mark Every August, we take a moment to thank our community of supporters for making our work possible. On behalf of all of us at Spark Ventures and our partner organizations, we'd like to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous support. Thanks...
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While life seems to be getting back to normal in the U.S., our partners are still dealing with the crushing impact of the pandemic. Developing countries like Zambia, Mexico & Nicaragua and underserved neighborhoods like Englewood on Chicago’s south side, are still experiencing staggering unemployment...
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TODAY A BARBER, TOMORROW...
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The pandemic has disrupted the world in many ways. It has led to a dramatic loss of life and created an unprecedented challenge to public health systems, employment, and food security. Unfortunately, the communities that have been most impacted are also the ones least equipped...
Read MoreDear Spark Community, Over the past month, we shared that there were several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Hope community in Zambia, and that Charles Mumba, the Executive Director of Hope, was being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital. Today we have wonderful news to share...
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