JustHope Update

Dear Friends of JustHope,

 

Over the past few years JustHope activities have been in transition. During 2025, several JustHope partners visited Chacraseca, Nicaragua to continue our collaboration.  We celebrate that we saw continuing success and growth of the microcredit women’s groups, ongoing commitment of the Stitching Hope women; and impressive progress of the scholarship students!  Clearly, JustHope continued to generate creative blessing in 2025.

 

The biggest change we now face is one we’ve been working toward for years - the transition from being a North American based non-profit to becoming a truly local Nicaraguan organization led by Nicaraguans!  This transition includes endings and beginnings, with reasons to celebrate and also to grieve. The Nicaraguan political system and international relations with the U.S. government have continued to deteriorate, making travel and organizational partnership more difficult. Although we have generous and faithful donors who continue to share financial resources, our mission and model must adapt to the changing context on the ground.  Therefore, we will be closing down the Tulsa-based operations by July 1, 2026 and transitioning operational and administrative leadership to the new independent organization established by the women who have been leading JustHope’s micro-credit program for the last 17 years.

 

These amazing women have been in the complex and rigorous process of legalizing their own indigenous organization for over two years.  And have continued to embody stubborn hope in the face of numerous road-blocks!  Now they are ready to take on the hard work of not only managing their highly successful microcredit program, but also supervising the scholarship programs they are inheriting, managing the 8 acers that served as the model farm, welcoming friends and groups from the US, and pursuing other ideas and projects toward the dream of a thriving Chacraseca!

        

As part of the legal transition from being US based to being Nicaraguan based, we will be transferring all donated project funds to this new Nicaraguan-led organization.  We ask you to please continue your financial support of JustHope through June of 2026 to make it

possible for us to complete the legal and ethical obligations in both countries to make this transition successful.  Beyond June, the new leaders in Chacraseca will treasure your ongoing support.  We will provide more information in the Spring about the ways you can continue your support.

 

Leslie Penrose wrote these words that appeared on the JustHope website for years:

 

“JustHope’s mission is to create long-term global partnerships between Nicaraguan

and U.S. communities in order to combat extreme poverty and increase global understanding.

By engaging one another in cultural exchanges, cooperative learning, mutual dialogue, and sharing resources, we work collaboratively to develop local leadership, empower self–determination, and embody our core values of collaboration, solidarity, mutuality, and sustainability.

 

    Indeed, across the past 19 years, JustHope has lived out its mission.  Together with all of you, we have coordinated long-term partnerships that have resulted in lifle-changing cultural encounters and will continue to develop in new ways going forward.  And hrough our programs in agriculture, health, education, and social enterprise we have made a significant contribution to the present and future well being of people who live in Chacraseca and La Flor. We celebrate the rich relationships and sacred encounters we have shared in both countries, and look forward to watching how the work we started grows and develops in the hands of new indigenous leaders.

 

    THANK YOU for your part in JustHope’s story!  We hope friends of JustHope will continue to form teams and travel to Nicaragua in future years.  If you have questions or want to discuss these changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our board members. (listed below).  We will update you again in the Spring as the transition progresses.  In the meantime, please continue to share generously as you are able. Your donations are still changing lives!

 

With Sincere Joy and Hope,

 

 

Kathy McCallie,                                                         Leslie Penrose                                    

Board President                                                          Founder of JustHope and Board Secretary

Kathy.mccallie@ptstulsa.edu                                     Revlesliepen@gmail.com

           

Michael Quintin                                                          Lynne Bradley

Board Treasurer                                                          Board Director

T150scouter@gmail.com                                           lbradley93168@gmail.com

JustHope Companions

Rooted in love and community walking, stumbling, and standing together until we know one another by heart

Is there a special place in your heart for Nicaragua, and the beloved communities of Chacraseca and La Flor? Have you been longing to connect in a meaningful way with our Nicaraguan friends? Are you wondering how you might come alongside to help envision creative ways to secure the future of JustHope? If these questions resonate with you, please consider becoming a JustHope Companion.

JustHope Companions are individuals or groups who desire to join a conversation about how we can rise above this historically challenging time, and emerge more resilient because of it. Together, Companions will listen for the ways our JustHope and Nicaraguan friends are calling us to become more excellent solidarity partners.

No two friendships are identical, so choose your own adventure. We ask that Companions commit to a minimum of two of these options:

  1. Host an online happy hour. Invite 5-12 friends to join you in learning about JH’s mission and ongoing programs, and to hear stories and updates from JH staff and our Nicaraguan friends.
  2. Commit to a monthly financial gift to JH of $40 or more, for one year.
  3. Organize and manage an online raffle of JH pottery.
  4. Create and nurture a Facebook fundraiser for JH on your personal Facebook page with a goal of raising $1,000 or more.
  5. Serve on a committee for the Wine 4 Water event in 2021.
  6. Write personal letters to JH donors and supporters to thank them, inform them, encourage them, excite them.
  7. Work on the Social Medial team to develop more extensive and informative communication with partners, donors, and friends.
  8. Work on the Impact Tracking team to develop and monitor impact measuring methods.
  9. Recruit a new monthly donor of $40 per month or more; or a $1000 level Wine for Water sponsor for the 2021 event.
  10. Organize and implement a fundraiser event using your own ideas and resources.

JH Companions will be supported by the Companion Core Team, and are invited to attend quarterly communal gatherings via videoconference. We look forward to sharing information about the program, and “breaking bread together” around our virtual community table. The next Companion support meetings will be on:

  • Next meeting: June 2 @ 6pm Central
    Add to Join by Zoom

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to express your interest. We look forward to meeting you and to being Companions on the journey.

Previous Meetings

  • January 2021, "El Viejo". Watch on YouTube.
  • May 2021, "St. Isidro Labrador".
  • August 2021, Cultural Center and "Mi Chacraseca" song by the youth of Chacraseca
  • January 2022, Griteria and Purisima celebrations
JustHope
2900 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa OK 74114
office@justhope.org
918-932-3209

© JustHope, Inc.