Regional Director’s Message

What an uplifting and successful spring it’s been for the Northwest region of NPH USA!

I’m so pleased to share the tremendous success of our annual Faces of Hope events in Bellevue and Seattle. Because of your support, we raised $164,000 so that our children can thrive and grow – thank you! We were honored to welcome guest speaker Kenson Kaas from Haiti, who grew up at our home and is now the Director for all childcare and educational programs there. And we were inspired by Kenson and the Seattle Institute students, who shared their musical talents and personal stories of transformation with our guests. Many thanks as well to our table captains, volunteers, Board members, and sponsors – Arena Sports, adaQuest, and Tom Douglas Catering and Events. We are so grateful for your partnership!

In April, we hosted a cooking class with our Seattle Institute students and 40 NPH supporters who purchased tickets at our Gala last fall. Thanks to Chef Jennifer Asmundson of Seattle Ginger, we had a delightful evening at 21 Acres, a nonprofit agricultural and environmental learning center promoting sustainability in Woodinville. Guests prepared and enjoyed several tasty Latin America dishes and has the opportunity to connect with our NPH students here in Seattle.

Earlier this month, we participated again in GiveBIG, an annual online day of giving organized by The Seattle Foundation. Despite technical difficulties with the online giving platform, we raised more than $47,000 from 45 donors, including one NPH supporter who gave $15,000 to match other gifts made through the campaign. Thanks so much to everyone who participated – we greatly appreciate your patience, generosity and dedication to supporting NPH.

This week we hosted our successful second annual NW Golf Classic at Newcastle Golf Club. This year we sold out the course again with 144 golfers and welcomed many new and returning corporate sponsors, including title sponsor Arena Sports, Oppenheimer & Co., Manini’s, Alexander Gow Fire Equipment, and many others. We heard from NPH students and gave out some fantastic awards, auction items and raffle prizes. Many thanks to our golf committee, sponsors, and everyone who came out to play and support our kids!

It’s going to be a busy summer for all of us. In June we’ll be moving our office (same building, different floor) and saying goodbye to longtime staff member Hailey Rademacher, whose passion for NPH and contributions to our team have been incredible over the past 3.5 years. Hailey will be starting a graduate nursing program and we will miss her! We’re also welcoming ten staff members of NPH International, many of whom are “hermanos mayores” (older brothers and sisters who grew up at NPH), to Seattle for a month of leadership training with our partner organization, iLEAP. In early July we’ll celebrate the graduation of our Seattle Institute students and bid them farewell as they return home. We also have two trips heading to NPH this summer – one mission trip with school partner Eastside Catholic, and one donor trip that Donna Egge and I will be leading – both to Nicaragua. I can’t wait to share stories from our visits with the children.

With gratitude for all you do, and best wishes for a wonderful and restful summer,

Katie Hultquist

Northwest Regional Director