GIVING HOPE

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
BUILDING COMMUNITIES
OUR STORY brighten, smiles to widen,
We lived in Haiti in 2012 with our six children and have been and steps to quicken. The
continuously involved in Haiti ever since. While in Haiti, our school sponsorship
family had the opportunity to meet and work with the people program ensures that an
of St. Rock, an educated population can
impoverished farming rise from poverty,
community high in the withstand disasters, and
mountains above Port-au- create stability.
Prince. During our first
visit to St. Rock to assess GOALS
the dire situation, Believe in Haiti has seen great growth since its inception in
community members 2012. Currently, 500 children are being fed weekly in the
expressed a need for an orphanage so they could willingly feeding program and over 100 children are attending school
give their children up for adoption, thereby giving their through the sponsorship program. Believe in Haiti is
children, whom they still loved, a chance at a better life. We focused on sustaining this growth and, in 2016, is
were struck by this request and thought there must be a committed to increasing the number of children fed to
better way. That is how Believe in Haiti was born. 2000 per week and increasing the number of school
sponsorships to 125. This will be accomplished through
THE SITUATION various community outreach events, including food pack
Imagine a place where the water is parties. In addition, Believe in Haiti, is seeking donors and
not safe to drink, food is scarce and grants for the construction of
expensive, poverty presents itself at a community center in St.
every corner, and families are Rock. This center will be a
extremely vulnerable to natural gathering place for the
disasters. That is Haiti; the poorest community and will provide
country in the Western Hemisphere. English and continuing
In the wake of the tragic 2010 education classes for adults, to
earthquake, most Haitians and their families are still prepare them to enter the
struggling to rebuild their lives. The devastation of this workforce with needed skills.
significant event only amplified the destitution and poverty
of the people. But Haiti is resilient and we Believe in Haiti. HOW YOU CAN HELP
OUR SOLUTIONS Believe in Haiti impacts lives every day, thanks to the
generosity of people like you. Please consider sponsoring a
Rising out of poverty in Haiti won’t be easy and it will take a
child’s education or donating meals. A tax-deductible
culture of change to make the difference. Believe in Haiti is
donation of any amount has great impact. Also, consider
focused on helping families feed and educate their children,
sponsoring a service project to benefit the people of Haiti,
so they can become the hope of a better future. Through
or accompanying us on one of our future humanitarian
Believe in Haiti and in an effort to keep families together and
trips to Haiti. Donations from corporations will be used to
to relieve the financial burden faced by families in St. Rock,
fund needed capital projects or large food pack events, all
we started a feeding program, which provides a traditional
of which will benefit the people of St. Rock. Because we
meal of rice and beans to the children of St. Rock. As the
are a volunteer organization, over 99 percent of donations
organization has grown, so has the regularity of meals for
that we receive are used for direct humanitarian aid in Haiti.
these starving children, as well as a school sponsorship
program for children who had never previously stepped foot
in a school building. The feeding program causes eyes to Believe IN
B E LPartIofE VE
the Solution haiti
www.believehaiti.org
IMPROVING EDUCATION IN HAITI BEGINS WITH YOU
DROPOUT RATE

71%
4.9
YEARS OF EDUCATION
RECEIVED, ON
AVERAGE, FOR
TEACHERS WHO LACK
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

60% 30% HAITIANS 25 YEARS

OLD OR OLDER
50%
BY SECONDARY SCHOOL
BY 6TH GRADE
BY 3RD GRADE
B E LPartIofE VE
the Solution
CHILDREN WHO DO SECONDARY SCHOOL
NOT ATTEND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RATE
LITERACY RATE

61%
29%
61% 92%
1 OUT OF 2 Believe IN
HAITI CARRIBEAN
haiti
www.believehaiti.org

GIVING HOPE, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES

TRANSFORMING HEALTH & NUTRITION IN HAITI
VIA ECOMONIC STABILITY BEGINS WITH YOU
54% 24% GROSS NATIONAL
INCOME FOOD INSECURITY
(PER CAPITA) (PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION)

POVERTY
RATE
$820 $55,200 33
HAITI UNITED
STATES
POVERTY (<$2 PER DAY)

B E LPartIofE VE
EXTREME POVERTY
(<$1.25 PER DAY)
the Solution

23
OVER
UNDER-5
MORTALITY RATE LIFE
(PER 1000 LIVE BIRTHS) EXPECTANCY
88 61%
OF LABOR FORCE DO
63 79 NOT HAVE FORMAL JOBS
YEARS YEARS

7 Believe IN
HAITI UNITED
STATES
HAITI UNITED
STATES
haiti
www.believehaiti.org

GIVING HOPE, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES

BREAKING THE POVERTY SPIRAL IN HAITI BEGINS WITH YOU

BELIEVE IN HAITI’S
PROGRAMS WORK TO
BREAK THE MULTI- Limited access to food, safe
water, healthcare
GENERATIONAL
Feeding and medical
SPIRAL OF POVERTY clinics
EVERY DAY

Low family income

Hunger, poor sanitation,
lack of education

English and
continuing education
courses for adults School sponsorships
Unskilled workforce,
unemployment Limited work opportunities,
disease, malnutrition, and
even death Believe IN
B E LPartIofE VE
the Solution haiti
www.believehaiti.org

GIVING HOPE, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES

GIVING HOPE
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
BUILDING COMMUNITIES
“Believe in Haiti is a quality organization that does an incredible work for real people. I was
fortunate enough to go to Haiti and see and talk with the children who benefit from the
Believe in Haiti organization. These children are just like my own - they laugh and play and
want to learn. Unfortunately, so many of the basics of life are beyond them, but I was able to
see how Believe in Haiti provided food and educational opportunities. They are doing a great
work!” - Ganelle Smith, Professor, Arapahoe Community College

“My trip to Haiti with Whitney and Justin was a life-changing experience. It really put into
Dave, Ganelle, and Trenton Smith at
the orphanage. perspective for me how much good can be accomplished through such small means and how
the Believe in Haiti program is fostering significant change in the lives of the Haitian people.
We had the joy and privilege of seeing a feeding clinic where meals were provided and the smiles on kids faces as they received
reading workbooks that provided them with a chance to improve their lives through educational opportunities. I had heard so
much about the Believe in Haiti program before I left Colorado, but to be on the ground and to see the acts of service being
rendered through Believe in Haiti gives me hope for the future and a comfort in knowing that Believe in Haiti will continue to
be there as a catalyst for change in the lives of these children.”
- Dave Smith, Trade Commissioner, The Consulate General of Canada, Denver

“I recently had the pleasure of making a trip down to Haiti with some friends. From earthquakes and
hurricanes to poverty and hunger, Haiti is a country with enormous challenges and opportunities to
make a difference. It was an incredible experience to spend some time there. I loved every minute of
it. Our gracious travel guides, Justin and Whitney Henwood, are the founders of a wonderful charity
called Believe in Haiti. The mission of the organization is to keep families together through love,
education and service. While in Haiti, we visited two schools to check up on the students who are
being sponsored. We were able to see the feeding program in action and supervise the construction of
a shelter for the feeding program. We assisted a member of our group with distributing hygiene kits
for his Eagle Scout Project. We visited an orphanage where we held and played with the children. We
also visited local families and supported them in various ways. I have spent a fair amount of time in
foreign countries, but each one brings its new wonders, sights, and sounds. This is what makes Seth Jenson playing at the
traveling and getting to know a new culture such a joy!” orphanage.
- Seth Jenson, Real Estate Broker, The Seth Jenson Team
“Last September we had the opportunity to travel to Haiti with the Henwood’s and other volunteers on
behalf of Believe in Haiti. We were able to see firsthand what has been accomplished by not only
donations but also hard work to benefit the lives of these wonderful people. As a result of the existing
donations to date, children are going to school and being fed. Yet there is much that still needs to be done.
We will not hesitate to continue to support this great organization and the people of Haiti.”
- Eric and Linda Ingersoll, Ingersoll Consulting
Eric and Linda Ingersoll
with their sponsored student. Believe IN
B E LPartIofE VE
the Solution haiti
www.believehaiti.org
GIVING HOPE
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
BUILDING COMMUNITIES
“While I traveled with the Believe in Haiti Organization, I discovered that it is giving back to those
who need, helping those who have struggled that improves our humanity. My experience has
affected me for the better, both in my personal life but also professionally. The experience has
made me more aware of other’s needs and more dedicated to my surroundings. The Believe in
Haiti organization has helped change the lives of so many individuals. Not only those they serve,
but those that give their time and money to the organization. The amazing thing about giving
service is that any little bit helps, whether we give our time, our money or our effort to affect this
change. Everybody, even those who can only give a little, can help because every moment and
every penny matters. The Haitian children and families need our help. They are real people,
humans just like us, and being among them showed me this. Give what you can, and see the change Kylie Meyer with two Haitian
schoolgirls.
in your life, and in the lives of others for the better.” - Kylie Meyer, Stacey James Salons
“I recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Haiti in order to give 200 hygiene kits to
the people of St. Rock. This was the final step in earning my Eagle for Boy Scouts. Just
meeting the people and seeing the way they lived completely changed my perspective on
the way we live. Seeing the reaction of the people when they received their share of the
donations made me realize just how little those people really have. The simple things in
the hygiene kits we Americans take for granted really impact the lives of the Haitians. I am
incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to go down to that little island.”

Heather and JD Gardner with a student their

- JD Gardner, High School Student and Eagle Award Candidate
family sponsors.
“I had the privilege in accompanying my 15 year old son on a humanitarian trip in September 2015. It turned out to be an
amazing culminating experience for his Eagle Scout Project. Our hosts, Justin and Whitney were very professional and took
great care to organize every little detail. We enjoyed comfortable accommodations, while simultaneously getting immersed daily
in the "real" Haiti. My personal favorite moment was visiting the 2 schools in the small village of St. Rock. Believe in Haiti has
been sponsoring students to gain an education and it was humbling to see the very students that my family has been sponsoring
in person. The Haitians are a beautiful people and face so many challenges and I consider it an honor to have spent time with
them. I can’t wait to go back!” – Heather Gardner, Master’s Degree Candidate, Utah State University

Believe IN
B E LPartIofE VE
the Solution haiti
www.believehaiti.org
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NEWS (/NEWS/) SPORTS (/SPORTS/) LIFE (/LIFE/) OPINION (/OPINION/)

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Volunteering as a family broadens

impacts, teaches lessons
Donating time with spouse, kids promotes giving spirit

(/uploads/original/1447185690_6e2c.jpg)
Izzy Henwood helps out during bath time on a family mission trip to Haiti. Courtesy photos

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News | Parker Colorado | Parkerchronicle.net Page 2 of 11

Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2015 2:46 pm

Chris Michlewicz (mailto:cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com)

For Whitney and Justin Henwood and their six children, volunteering became a family
affair when they relocated from Parker to Haiti to help a community recover from a
devastating earthquake.

A Castle Rock family discovered that working for an organization that helps neglected
horses and special needs youth not only fosters a good work ethic, it also teaches gratitude
and thoughtfulness.

And a retired couple in Littleton decided to give back by helping their local police
department with the little things like crowd control and reporting graffiti.

They are part of a growing trend of volunteerism that

brings a family’s collective might to extend a friendly
hand — whether it’s helping out in a kitchen to feed the
homeless on Thanksgiving, organizing a neighborhood
cleanup campaign or seeking an international destination
where relief is needed.

GenerationOn, a national volunteer organization that

provides family project ideas and guides, is encouraging
parents to sign up for family volunteer day Nov. 21. Moms and dads who volunteer with
their children can share observations and later talk about their experience.

“Volunteering together enhances values such as kindness, compassion and tolerance, plus
family members learn new skills and feel appreciated for their contributions and talents,”
the group’s website says.

Desire to help leads family to Haiti

Whitney and Justin Henwood, of Parker, traveled to Haiti in 2011 before returning the
following year with their six children. The second excursion wasn’t a short-lived mission:
the family put down temporary roots, becoming a part of a community outside of Port-au-
Prince for seven months and helping out in any way they could.

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“We thought it would be a good experience for not

only the people of Haiti, but also for our children
to see what the world is like,” said Whitney
Henwood, a registered nurse who worked
alongside her children at clinics in the poor
village.

Justin Henwood took a leave of absence from his

job as a geotechnical engineer to shore up walls in
homes, many of which are constructed in a way
that can jeopardize the safety of those inside.
Structures were damaged during a massive
earthquake that struck the impoverished nation in
2010 and have not been repaired.

The kids, then ranging in age from 2 to 10,

assisted when they could, but most of the time
they were befriending the Haitian children. Whitney Henwood snapped a photo of her
then-2-year-old son sitting among orphaned children during a feeding program funded
year-round by money raised through the Henwood’s nonprofit, Believe in Haiti.

The Henwoods wanted to use their skill set to make a difference, as well as provide a good
example for their kids. Whitney Henwood remembers during the 2012 trip that her 8-year-
old daughter was eager to help in the clinic, which provides basic screenings, education
and assistance to new mothers, some of whom walked miles to receive care.

“While I was doing exams on women, she was holding the newborn babies,” she said. “That
was really neat to see.”

Teaching kids a life lesson

At a more local level, Castle Rock residents Tiffany and Rob Riley and their four children —
Abby, 15, Lance, 13, Sydnie, 9, and Tessa, 4 — are pitching in at Drifter’s Hearts of Hope, a
horse rescue near the Douglas-Elbert county line. After adopting one of the horses for
Abby, the family decided Drifter’s Hearts would be the perfect venue to volunteer.

“We saw the amazing work they’re doing out there and we decided that it would be a good
cause,” Tiffany Riley said.

A Facebook post informed the family the nonprofit organization needed a shed to store
tools and other goods to care for the horses. The family had considered helping with

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Special Olympics, but schedules did not align. However,

because Drifter’s Hearts works with special needs clients,
two of the Riley kids will likely continue volunteering.

“The kids are definitely developing a good work habit and

learning that it’s important to help others and be mindful of
others’ needs,” Tiffany Riley said. “They’re learning to be
grateful for what they have as well.”

The littlest ones love feeling they are a part of something

important, even if they are simply cleaning up sawdust or
handing their parents a two-by-four for the shed.

Community safety is pair’s focus

Joe and Sue Henson, of Littleton, also feel proud to be a cog in the larger, well-oiled
machine of the Littleton Police Department. They are members of the Community Safety
Volunteer Program, and with funding from a justice assistance grant, they drive a marked
vehicle to keep an extra eye on the community.

They help with crowd control at large events like Western Welcome Week and Trick or
Treat Street, assist at accident scenes, report new graffiti for cleanup, and created the
Friends of Littleton K9s citizen support group for the police department’s K9 unit.

“We both retired early, so I figured what the

heck,” said Joe Henson, a member of the
department’s alumni association.

A citizen police academy, which allows the

public a behind-the-scenes glimpse at law
enforcement, convinced the Hensons that
donating their extra time was the right thing
to do. They had always wanted to help out, but
never had the time because of Joe Henson’s
extensive work travel.

Now, the civilian volunteers work as partners outside of their 46-year marriage. Their
duties are specified, much as they are at home, Joe Henson pointed out. When they’re on
patrol, he is the contact person and she is the cover, and they cruise through areas known
for vehicle break-ins and check on homes when owners are on vacation. Since Sue Henson
also serves on a handful of boards and helps vet new officer candidates, she is in the know.

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“I’ve done patrols with other guys, but obviously I feel much more comfortable going out
with Sue,” Joe Henson said. “She knows more officers than I do, and she gives me a lot of
good insight with what’s going on out there with the guys on the street.”

Family volunteerism rewarding

Just as the Hensons’ work frees up on-duty

officers to concentrate on other, more
pressing tasks, the same goes for other
nonprofit organizations that reap the
rewards of family volunteers. They not only
help a good cause, but also create a sense of
solidarity and purpose.

The effects are obvious and life-changing,

Whitney Henwood said.

“Our kids’ lives have for sure been changed

by our experiences” in Haiti, she said. “They’ve become more compassionate and have less
desire for material things.”

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