Dear Hope for Life Family,
The past several years have been full of growth for HFL. With your partnership, more children are being served each year, programs have expanded, and operations have grown in both Rwanda and the U.S. HFL, while still grassroots, has graduated into a more sophisticated and mature organization through a decade of experience. With such growth comes changes, including within our own leadership. Over 10 years ago, Chantal Umutesi co-founded HFL with Megan Chao and Hiliary Anderson.
Their common vision to see children empowered to escape homelessness brought them together. Since then, Chantal has faithfully served the organization as a staff member, a Board Member, and the past five years as the Executive Director in Rwanda.
I would like to formally announce that Chantal will be stepping down from her role as Executive Director in Rwanda. This decision was reached with mutual agreement as Chantal focuses on her growing family and HFL continues to expand. We are immensely grateful for Chantal’s leadership and contributions during her time as Executive Director.
She helped to strengthen the Rehabilitation Program, established preventative measures to help keep families together, and initiated the idea to build a second rehabilitative home. Please join us in thanking Chantal for her countless contributions, time, and love as HFL’s leader in Rwanda.
We will soon start the process of hiring a new Executive Director. In the interim, I will continue serving as Chair for the Board of Directors in Rwanda, as well as part-time Interim Executive Director during the search, hiring, and onboarding process. We look forward to introducing you to our new leader later this year.
We appreciate your ongoing support to equip youth to leave homelessness here in Rwanda.
Peace,
Christophe Mbonyingabo
Chair, Hope for Life Ministry Board of Directors
Interim Executive Director, Rwanda
Thank you for making 2019 another successful year!
A full Annual Report will be available in May.
Join us in downtown Seattle for an evening of fun, impact, and generosity at Hope for Life’s annual Gala, A Night of Hope!
Friday, October 16, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Block 41 | Seattle, WA
Tickets and details
If you have been a part of the Hope for Life (HFL) community for a while, you’ve probably seen stories about one of the first boys in HFL’s programs, Pacifique, more lovingly known as Paci. Paci transitioned into HFL’s rehabilitative home after spending three years living on the streets as a young boy. Having no family or relatives to return to, Paci spent several years at HFL’s rehabilitative home healing from trauma, going to school, growing spiritually and learning valuable life skills before transitioning into independent living nearly three years ago. Now 23-years-old, Paci recently graduated from high school and underwent national exams to see if he qualifies to continue his education at the University level.
In the next year while Paci waits for his scores and evaluates his future options, we asked Paci to return to Hope for Life, but in a new capacity–as a staff member! Paci’s patient, kind, and outgoing personality make him a favorite among the younger program participants, whom he considers to be his little brothers. With Paci’s unique experience and maturity, he is able to relate to boys transitioning out of homelessness in a special way and we know he will have a positive, lasting effect on all.
“This is the life I wished for… I am becoming someone that the people who knew me before couldn’t expect at all. It’s hard for me to explain how happy I am. I want to change the world and people’s lives. I know society needs me.”
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Family Support & Monitoring Coordinator
Josiane is passionate about child protection and psychosocial initiatives with over 10 years experience in child protection programs, behaviour change, and community awareness activities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the National University of Rwanda and is certified in clinical Supervision through the University of Rwanda. Josiane is a registered clinical psychologist with the Rwanda Allied Health Professions Council
Family Psychologist
Anathalie enjoys working with children, adults, and families to find healthy perceptions of themselves and make positive future achievements. She is passionate about facilitating the healing process for people who have gone through traumatic experiences. Anathalie holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rwanda and a Master in Public Health from Mount Kenya University.
US Board Member
Tressa (she/her) has a background of more than two decades working alongside US-based, international, and cross-national nonprofits, mainly focused on relief and development. She has experience in a wide range of roles, including Human Resources, Grant Writing, Finance, and more. She was introduced to HFL through a friend and was strongly drawn to the organization’s holistic approach to addressing community needs.
SUPPORT STAFF
Esther wears many hats at HFL’s office, from clearing to preparing meals.
TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Chantal is passionate about working with vulnerable children and seeing them experience holistic wellbeing. She oversees the work in the Transitional Program and serves as a child and family therapist. She has more than 17 years of experience as a therapist, school counselor, and in women empowerment programs. Chantal holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and an advanced diploma in Mental Health Nursing.
RWANDA CASE ATTENDANT
Emmanuel, a former HFL beneficiary, supports youth in educational services. He leads catch-up classes, school work revision, and ensures youth who have dropped out of school are able to successfully return to the classroom.
US BOARD MEMBER
Alessandra serves as Chief of Staff for Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. She has worked on critical issues such as affordable housing, the opioid epidemic, race and social justice, developed and strengthened relationships with communities furthest from opportunity to ensure more diverse perspectives are considered in policy development, played a key role in the response to COVID-19, and led Snohomish County’s refugee resettlement efforts in collaboration with community and non-profit partners.
Alessandra was raised in Snohomish County and resides in Everett. She attended the University of Washington and holds bachelor’s degree in Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Alessandra enjoys biking, exploring trails, traveling, reading, playing with her Shiba Inu, and spending time with her family and friends.
Advisor, US Board of Directors
Emily works as a Washington State Auditor and is passionate about social justice, fighting homelessness, and nonprofit finance. In addition to being a CPA, Emily holds a BA in International Development, an MA in Public Administration, and certificates in Accounting and Nonprofit Management. We are grateful for her and the expertise she brings to the organization.
