Camp Hope Foundation

Dear Participant,

After careful consideration and prayer, The Wheaton College Justice Coalition cabinet and select faculty members decided to make Camp Hope Foundation the focus of our first annual charity 5k run and recipient of all the profits raised.

Camp Hope Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization located in Quito, Ecuador. Their stated mission is “to reach the needs of the economically, physically and mentally challenged children, teens, and young adults in order to enable them to attain the goals of independence and social integration.” This organization was selected because of its unique and praiseworthy approach to caring for people with disabilities. A sentence from their student submitted application well illustrates their remarkable approach: "As many theologians have argued and as Camp Hope represents in the practical sense, wholeness is not the product of self-sufficiency or independence, but rather of the genuinely inclusive communion that results from sharing our humanity with one another in light of the grace of God." It is this mentality that Justice Coalition wants to highlight and celebrate.

To faithfully work out these convictions, the Foundation runs camps for children and adults with disabilities and offers recreational activity, Bible lessons, crafts, swimming, and social interaction. The Foundation also runs a year-long program which offers education for the physically and mentally disabled. They are often unable to attend Ecuadorian public schools because they do not provide them with the accommodations they need for success. The program includes rehabilitation, vocational resources, recreation, spiritual support, and in-home visits for participating families.

Finally, one of the most important and often overlooked goals of Camp Hope is that of social transformation. Camp Hope aims to change the way the general population in Quito perceives people with disabilities. People are not merely disabled by their impairments; they are disabled by the societies they live in, and one of the most disabling societal factors is that of negative attitudes. Ultimately, Camp Hope believes that this is not only detrimental to the people with disabilities, but also to those living without disabilities because it perpetuates a narrow view of humanity and wholeness.

All proceeds from the 5K run will be donated directly to Camp Hope Foundation for use in their Christ-centered service. Funds will be used for the daily expenses of the foundation and will also contribute to the camp’s strategic improvement of the retreat center. The addition of a fishpond, bakery, and swimming pool would not only provide an additional source of income for the camp, but could be useful in facilitating a more diverse range of therapies for the students. Camp Hope dreams of these renovations with the goals of serving their students better and becoming a more self-sustaining.

The Justice Coalition encourages you to purchase your $10 ticket for the 5K now and mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20th. Those who want to contribute more to the Foundation can elect to raise an additional $25 and run as a sponsored participant. All sponsored racers will be entered in a raffle to win a pair of Asics running shoes of their choice.

Thank you for your generosity and willingness to run with us!

Blessings,