Giving Back

One of the best things about working as an artist is the opportunity to donate artwork to causes that touch my heart.

With "our family" in Santa Maria de Jésus

 The cause that touches mine the most is our work with From Houses to Homes, in Antigua, Guatemala.   FHTH was founded by a man who inspires me to no end, Joe Collins, who is currently back in the United States undergoing treatment for stage 4 colon cancer.  We are all praying for him.

volunteering at Cambiando Vidas

This small, non profit organization has built homes for over 500 indigenous families living in poverty in the Guatemalan highlands, a medical clinic to serve all of those families, and two schools to educate the children. 

Over the past 3 years, since our first of 6 trips, we have become intimately connected with the two families whose homes we helped build, volunteered at the schools, and became godparents to the son of one of the workers.  (Notice Señora Gringa in the church!). 

Our lives have been changed so much by our work in Guatemala.  As much as everyone thanks us for our efforts, it is we who feel so grateful for and blessed by our experiences there.  So I was more than happy to design From Houses to Home's holiday card this year!  Here it is:

If you have a few moments, here's a video that Samy and I made for her school, which became the sister school to one of the schools in Guatemala!  It will give you a sense of just how much we were transformed and eager to share our experience.

Samy and I also wrote a book so she could convey her experience to other kids her age.  It's called "Old Enough to Do Good in the World," and would make a great holiday gift (hint hint)!  100% of the proceeds go straight to From Houses to Homes.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/jessica-sporn/old-enough-to-do-good-in-the-world/paperback/product-11041706.html

Linking to Artists in Blogland's Fall Fearless & Fly, Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day,  and The Artful Maven's Holiday Blog Hop.

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.