OPHLA TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials stress me out, especially for something I love and hold dear. I could write a novel about all the superlatives that describe Operation Project H.O.P.E., so I'll break it down a bit. The yearly School Beautification Project allows me to give from my heart to the children and teachers that will shape our future leaders. OPH Leadership Academy brought out the best and most loving parts of me; it re-opened my closed off heart to receiving and wholeheartedly giving love and support to those who want and need it.
I went into the organization thinking it was one thing; it proved it was and continues to exceed expectations. You want to volunteer for a project? Great, you're a volunteer and by the end of the project day, you're one of the tribe eating tacos and dancing at one of the board member's backyard. You want to grow your business and expand your contacts in our self growth program? Awesome, you participate in Leadership Academy to accomplish your goals and also earn the love, friendship, and respect of the most genuinely loving people on the planet! I can seriously go on. OPH is like that shot of espresso you need to wake up in the morning. However, the high you feel by participating with OPH persists, is constant, consistent, and will leave you positive and hopeful for anything life brings.
Because of all that, I'm committed for life."
Paolo Paredes
OPHLA Team 2 Graduate, Dedicated Volunteer, Board Member, Lover of Tacos
As a mother of four I had been looking for an organization of volunteers with like-minded individuals that help children. When I heard about OPH through a conversation, I immediately was drawn to its purpose. I applied for the leadership program thinking that I would gain skills and knowledge to be able to be of service to others. I wanted to help children believe in themselves, in love, and hope. Little did I know that this program would be teaching me how to believe in myself and to love myself. How could I ask someone else to believe in themselves when I didn’t believe in myself? I now fully understand that you must fill your cup in order to fill someone else’s. This program helped me to reveal and heal in order to become a better version of myself. I have a deep admiration for the amazing support system that OPHLA provides and I am forever grateful!
Our project at Aragon Elementary was so rewarding. Knowing that you can plant a seed of Hope in at least one child is a wonderful feeling. This is a true example of “Givers Gain”.
And I gained more that I could have ever expected. The fulfillment of making a difference in a child’s life, deeper and more meaningful relationships, new friendships, and an extended family all of which has given me the Hope I needed. I am forever grateful!"
-Cecilia
As someone who has sought stability and security her whole life, I was hesitant to committing my time to OPHLA when I was first provided with an opportunity to join. I knew very little about the organization and had a general distrust for anything outside of my comfort zone. Some very important people in my life asked me to join because they saw something in me that I could not see myself and they knew OPHLA would help me find the tools I needed to do so. Choosing to give it a shot was the best decision of my life!
Thanks to the experience and contributions from every individual in the O.P.H. community I have found someone I love and value in ME and am forever grateful for that!
I have grown tremendously as an individual and attribute a large part of it to the challenges and support I received during the leadership academy. Now I get to take what I have learned and give it back to my community, family and friends whole heartedly. My favorite part of this experience is witnessing what the power of LOVE can do. Thank you O.P.H.!
Jenny Romero
OPHLA Team 6 Graduate
O.P.H. Board Director
Aragon Elementary School Principal Baird speaking on OPHLA's school beautification project.
Imagine being invited on a free trip, by yourself, with a group tour. It's not ideal or appealing because although you love traveling, you want to go with your friends, family, or even by yourself, as long as you know what to expect. Plus, this is a long tour and you don't have time for that. You have too many responsibilities and things to do. You have doubts, fears, and resistance. The thought of a pyramid scheme or a sales pitch crosses your mind. However, a friend or family member went on the same trip and highly recommends it. Although you don't understand why they're encouraging you to go, you trust them and take a leap of faith.
The journey starts and you are relieved that everyone else is traveling solo and has the same fears and doubts. Throughout the trip, the group bonds through learning about each other, discovering new sights, and giving through acts of kindness. With the support of a dedicated tour guide, each of you goes on a few solo excursions. These are challenging activities you've dreamt of doing for years and your fears stopped you. The trip is full of reflection, adventures, insights, and moments of uncertainty and vulnerability. And just like any trip, you have days where you want go home to what you know. But, with the support of the group, tour guide, and your own commitment, conviction, and perseverance, you push through and do the challenging excursions. And, something happens to you in the process of this journey. You can't put your fingers on it, but you've changed. You see things in a new perspective. You value yourself and others in a new way. You hold yourself accountable and responsible for your choices. And, all the traveling and walking you did strengthened your confidence, courage, and belief in yourself. You share your experience with friends and family and encourage them to go. However, words are not enough and now, you understand why. It's the experience of participating in the OPHLA Leadership Academy. And you only get that by trusting and taking the leap.
- Ayda
I came into the OPHLA program with an open mind and by the end, everyone and the experience had blew it. My motto “It’s all about love at the end of the day”, is a direct result of the OPHLA program. My Family (consisting of OPH leads, coaches, other players in the program, and volunteers) all amassed into an everlasting life changing experience that helped me become a true and whole leader. I participated in the early stage of my engineering career and that timing was a godsend. No matter in what stage of life you are the love, support, and growth this program offers will add to the way you experience and see life.
During OPHLA, I learned more about myself in areas that I thought even possible and had never known. I can confirm that I became eager to find out more, notice my growth, and use it to support others. It was a new experience of becoming a more whole individual and knowing I was never alone was key. I found that the love and support of my OPH Family became the driving force that kept me going. Ultimately, I now know that by giving and receiving love everything I dream of and want is possible. And you should too.
OPHLA has also made me grateful for organizations like OPH whose ceaseless mission is to support children, our future leaders. The program gave me firsthand experience that exemplified the significance and outcome of sharing hope in abundance as a loving society. OPH school beautification volunteer projects provide support for children and their community, which keeps this hope alive and shares it with the world one OPH project at a time. It gives me great pleasure and pride to forever be part of this operation.
- Edwin
OPHLA opened me up to an extraordinary community of people who want to learn, to be, and to act to help my favorite and much loved people: underserved children in ugly schools. Toward that end, my particular class was outstanding as we nurtured, served and pushed each other toward deserving to work toward that goal. We rocked!!! I still wake up every single morning with Coach Yvette’s voice: “Do what you are passionate about first. Then all your goals will fall into place.” It works every time."
- Mayra
