Lisa Hanssens

Lisa Hanssens, Founder of People Power Parties, has shared her love for art and crafting with adults and children around the world and now she wants to share it with you. Crafting with meaning, makes it even more fun.

Over 10 years of volunteering abroad can move you in ways that changes you forever!  "The time I spend with the people at the charities is finite... but their impact on me will last my lifetime. How could I not share my love for philanthropy with members of my community."

People Power Parties was born from Lisa's desire to bridge these  grass roots charities, with lots of people, in a fun and suitable way. Something that raises both awareness and money for matters we really care about.

"I'm bringing it home. Now that I spend more time at home than volunteering abroad I'm thinking, hey maybe people in my community would enjoy a moment or two of helping these great charities while gathering for some fun.... we'll put compassion in action while crafting for a cause."

The decision to offer crafting parties stems from a load of material scraps Lisa was gifted while volunteering for Agua Y Mas Children's Home in Mexico. The teen house was bare bones and needed everything imaginable. It was decided that she and the teens would craft items to sell at the upcoming crafts fare . With the money raised, and added donations from the awareness it generated, they were able to purchase everything on their list!

Lisa maintains her long standing relationship with two charities in Mexico and occasionally returns with activities for the kids and to see first hand how they are managing and progressing. Lisa says that one of the best parts of these trips is sharing the pics and vids with people back home.

"The best kind of party is one with a purpose!"

Company Values:

• Creativity is natural, sometimes we just need a little nudge.
• Just one moment of giving can be long lasting ... there really are no small things.
• People are powerful; together we make a big difference.

Maggie Arechiga

Maggie Arechiga’s childhood home, is under construction. The some 20 kids (ages 3 to 16), four mothers, Maggie and the godsend Antonio (a night watchman for the kids each evening and their construction honcho during the day), are all crammed into just a few rooms while a second story rises above them, all from volunteer labour. When finished, they will have six bedrooms and two classrooms and hope to turn their bodega into a cafe that serves coffee and pastries to the neighborhood.

Maggie, who taught in California for 30 years before returning to her Guaymas roots, provides a shelter for women and their children fleeing domestic violence. She also houses children brought to her by DIF (Social Services and Child Protection) removed from abusive families or rescued from the streets. Unfortunately, financial support does not come with them.

Maggie provides a solution to an otherwise desperate situation. he shelter provides a place of refuge, support with; basic (food, water, clothing, shelter), emotional, social economic, and educational needs but most of all LOVE.

Maggie's professional skills, big heart, and sincere passion are the foundation of Amor, Agua Y Mas in Guaymas. This, along with her complete devotion and steadfast commitment to her mission enable her to manage such an undertaking. She is deeply rooted in true love for people and her faith in God!

Update 2018
The second floor is now completed. The shelter has grown to house 45 children and has acquired a second dwelling. There are 25 children on a waiting list. Amor, Agua Y Mas is needing to expand again.
 

For More Info:

• www.Aguaymas.org

 

Shannon

Shannon, the Founder of Mamas for Mamas and proud mom of 2 boys, was recently selected as one of 15 top tech founders nationally through Metabridge, for the innovative use of technology in digitizing poverty relief, mainly by being the first charity born on social media.

Founded in 2015 as a grassroots organization to connect moms and share resources through a Facebook page, Mamas for Mamas has grown into a registered non-profit organization with 20,000 members locally and has encouraged the expansion of over 50 other chapters across Canada. Mamas for Mamas offers poverty relief and mental health services to mothers, caregivers and their children, experiencing varying levels of poverty.


 

Astrid Urrutia

Meet Astrid Urrutia - Astrid and her family recently moved from Mexico City to San Carlos, the neighboring town of Guaymas and San Jose. Her strong desire to give back to community lead her to El Cobijo and she has “plugged” in quickly. There are a variety of needs being met by charities in Mexico and Astrid supports many of them. Unfortunately seniors can sometimes be over-looked. Even though Lisa has supported El Cobijo prior to Astrid moving to San Carlos, Astrid is fluent in both English and Spanish and she offers us her sincere heart and skills as a translator. She is a valuable asset to continued efforts and we are fortunate to have her along side us!