HOPE worldwide RECEIVES $460,000 GRANT FROM AMERICAN RED CROSS 

San Diego, CA. (August 10, 2018) – HOPE worldwide ™ is pleased to announce it has been awarded $460,000 from the Hurricane Harvey Community Recovery Grant from the American Red Cross™. These funds will support recovery efforts in the Houston and Beaumont / Port Arthur, Texas areas through the HOPE worldwide SPARK Academy program (Special Program for Arts Resiliency for Kids).

The SPARK Academy is a program focused on art, theater and sports therapy that was created in 2013 by HOPE worldwide in response to Hurricane Sandy’s catastrophic effect on families in New Jersey and New York.

The highly effective program serves pre-K through 6th grade children and families who have been impacted by disasters. All too often, children suffer long term emotional effects of devastating disasters, with little or no support to help them recover. The SPARK Academy helps children by providing an avenue to understand and process their emotions after a disaster using art therapy. Post-disaster behavioral and emotional changes are often seen 6-24 months after a disaster; and the 12-18-month post-disaster time frame is often the most difficult time for recovery. HOPE worldwide is honored to bring this program to the communities affected by the hurricane, working together with partners to help those in need.

“This support will enable us to continue meaningful recovery efforts alongside those devastated by Hurricane Harvey” says Robert Carrillo, CEO. “HOPE worldwide is proud to serve the children of these impacted areas through our SPARK Academy and we look to do so with compassion, integrity and excellence.”

HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives through the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. This partnership among HOPE worldwide , The Greater Houston Church, the HOPE worldwide Houston Chapter and the American Red Cross begins September 1, 2018 and will provide services through February of 2020.

HOPE worldwide’s base of operations is located in San Diego California and Robert Carrillo is a San Diego native who has been serving the organization as CEO since 2015.