Our Key Programs
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The Hope Project
The Hope Project was created to communicate God's message of eternal hope and love, through a life-changing camp experience and follow-up. The communities we work with in Costa Rica and greater Latin America are marked by extreme poverty and high – risk social conditions. Violence, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), hunger, addiction and hopelessness are the norm. For those we work with, obtaining money for bus fare, clothes, and even food is difficult. Gracia Missions seeks to offer a different experience from their daily reality; a light of hope, the message of Christ’s love and models of integrity through our trained team of leaders.
Since 2013 with your support, we have welcomed over 3,800 kids/teenagers, 40+ families, single-mothers with children, foster children with their biological parents and individuals in recuperation from addictions and more, to participate in nearly 50+ HOPE Project camps!
During that time, countless groups and individuals like you from the U.S., Canada and parts of Latin America have supported, sponsored, visited our communities and participated in making this mission a reality. We are all part of an incredible team, working together for God's kingdom. If you are new to Gracia Missions, would you consider joining our team?
Since 2013 with your support, we have welcomed over 3,800 kids/teenagers, 40+ families, single-mothers with children, foster children with their biological parents and individuals in recuperation from addictions and more, to participate in nearly 50+ HOPE Project camps!
During that time, countless groups and individuals like you from the U.S., Canada and parts of Latin America have supported, sponsored, visited our communities and participated in making this mission a reality. We are all part of an incredible team, working together for God's kingdom. If you are new to Gracia Missions, would you consider joining our team?
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The Hope Initiative
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
- Desmond Tutu -
Since 2013, Gracia Missions has sponsored and run the Hope Project, in partnership with key organizations from the United States, Canada and Latin America. The Hope Project camps are run in Costa Rica and greater Latin America. The project is a three-day camp, with kids, teenagers and partner organizations from communities living in extreme poverty and high-risk social conditions. They come from different communities, but the stories and needs are the same. Since the start, we have been able to provide this camp experience to 3,800+ kids/teenagers, 40+ families, single-mothers with children, foster children with their biological parents and individuals in recuperation from addictions.
We have realized the need for follow-up after our Hope Project Camps. How can our campers return to their community and reality, after being in a very different context and learning about God’s eternal promise? How can they apply and integrate this into their daily reality of abuse, violence, hunger and desperation? We became aware of deeper emotional and psychological needs.
In the fall of 2016, we first partnered with the community of Guarari, Heredia to continue the work of the Hope Project and develop a deeper connection with the community. Guarari is the largest at-risk community in Costa Rica. Our team of psychologists and camp leaders undertook and completed a process that will have eternal impact. In December 2017, we finished the development and creation of the project, with Smiles With Hope Ministry and your generous help. We have continued to reach into different communities until the present day!
Below are the three phases of the Hope Initiative within each partner community:
We have realized the need for follow-up after our Hope Project Camps. How can our campers return to their community and reality, after being in a very different context and learning about God’s eternal promise? How can they apply and integrate this into their daily reality of abuse, violence, hunger and desperation? We became aware of deeper emotional and psychological needs.
In the fall of 2016, we first partnered with the community of Guarari, Heredia to continue the work of the Hope Project and develop a deeper connection with the community. Guarari is the largest at-risk community in Costa Rica. Our team of psychologists and camp leaders undertook and completed a process that will have eternal impact. In December 2017, we finished the development and creation of the project, with Smiles With Hope Ministry and your generous help. We have continued to reach into different communities until the present day!
Below are the three phases of the Hope Initiative within each partner community:
- Phase 1 – Community Investigation: The goal was to complete a process of community investigation, in order to determine the needs of the community, existing and potential risks, social statistics such as prevalence of abuse and violence, population demographic and mental health situation among children, teenagers and within families. As well, to identify, together with community partners, the kids and teenagers who will participate in the three-day Hope Project Camp. This process was the longest, most challenging and in-depth.
- Phase 2 – Hope Project Camp: The second phase involves The Hope Project Camp at Camp Roblealto, in the mountains of Costa Rica. Through this camp we communicate God’s eternal hope and love, and that he will take care of their hearts. Through our team of specially trained camping leaders, we teach and show examples of integrity, core values and love.
- Phase 3 – Camp Follow-up: Our team visits each community and through a series of recreation and activities, works to reinforce the experiences and learning during the Hope Project camp. The purpose is to assist each participant to make the transition from the experience at camp, to the reality of their daily lives.