ABOUT
MISSION STATEMENT
Equipping abandoned, incarcerated, and at-risk youth for success by serving their physical, spiritual, educational and emotional needs.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Orphan Helpers is deeply committed to operating with integrity and transparency. We take seriously the trust you place in us to make sure your gifts have the greatest impact on the lives of abandoned, abused, and incarcerated youth. The following charity rating and accreditation services have noted our diligence in pursuing efficiency and accountability:
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Orphan Helpers received a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
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Orphan Helpers has earned a Platinum Level rating with GuideStar for demonstrating a commitment to nonprofit transparency.
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Orphan Helpers is an Accredited Member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and committed to ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship.
EL SALVADOR & HONDURAS
El Salvador and Honduras are two of the seven countries that make up Central America.
Both countries struggle with high rates of poverty, family breakdown, and crime and violence, and have scores of abandoned and incarcerated youth who desperately need a hope and a future.
OUR STORY & HISTORY
And that's when it hit Greg and Libby.
They came home and began to write to everyone they knew, seeking support for these needy children. Three months later, 15 friends returned to El Salvador to help the cause. Since then, thousands of people have given generously, gone on trips, and helped abandoned and incarcerated youth succeed in El Salvador and Honduras.
Today, Greg continues to run a realty company in Hampton Roads, Virginia and travels frequently to Central America to spend time with the youth and further the mission of Orphan Helpers.
For 14 years, Greg Garrett had been praying and seeking God’s will for his life. “It kept coming back to orphans,” he said. In 2000, he was supposed to be online searching for an anniversary cruise but he kept looking at orphans and orphanages. He asked his wife, Libby, to rethink the cruise idea and instead go with him in search of orphans in Central America.
They flew to El Salvador and found a nearby church, where they met a bilingual member who agreed to ride around with them. They came upon a 100-year-old deteriorating orphanage with 250 children being cared for by only six adults; not a single commode or shower worked. One of the babies had been found in the trash the previous night.
MEET THE
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Board of Directors
David Dunlevy
Chairman of the Board
Dave is the Founder of D & A Dunlevy Landscapers, a company in the Washington, DC area that began in 1982. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2012. Dave and his wife Angie live in Frederick, Maryland.
Mike Torrech
Board Vice Chair
Mike is former President and CEO of American Maritime Holdings and Técnico Corporation. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. Mike and his wife Diane live in Chesapeake, Virginia.
David is a retired Brigadier General with the Virginia Air National Guard. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2003. David and his wife Terilyn Goins live in Yorktown, Virginia.
David Phillips
Board Treasurer
Joe is the founder and President of Public Transportation Insurance Specialist, Inc. He is also the President of ILMFC Boat Charters. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. Joe and his wife Rebecca live in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Phil is the founder and CEO of NaturaLawn of America, an organic-based lawn care company with 90 franchise locations in 25 states. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2019. Phil and his wife Deborah live in Frederick, Maryland, and attend Damascus Road Community Church.
Joe Renaud
Board Member
Phil Catron
Board Member
Peter is co-founder of Beards Brewery in Northern Michigan, where he resides with his wife, Kari. He also helped develop and manages a commercial real estate and asset management portfolio for his family business group The Manthei Group. Peter joined the board in 2022.
Justin Kruse
Board Member
Justin is a Salesforce consultant and owns his own business, Kruse.Cloud, LLC. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2015. Justin and his wife Courtney live in Sandpoint, ID.
Alejandro Paredes
Board Member
Alejandro is a PhD, PMP and SPP professional with over 25 years of experience in international development. He currently works as Program Director with the international cooperation. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2023. Alejandro and his wife Kenya live in Panama.
Peter Manthei
Board Member
Heading 2
Executive Team
Greg Harris
Executive Director
Greg leads the Orphan Helpers team in carrying out the mission to equip abandoned and incarcerated youth for success. Prior to Orphan Helpers, he served 16 years in key leadership positions on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Department of Justice, and at the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Greg received a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University in Virginia.
Ron Goodman
Director of U.S. Partnerships
Ron builds partnerships between Orphan Helpers and churches, individuals, civic organizations, and businesses. Before coming to Orphan Helpers in 2011, Ron served 40 years in pastoral ministry in Lawrence, Kansas, and Harbor Springs, Michigan. He graduated from Ozark Christian College and received his master's degree in Religious Studies from the University of Kansas.
Nahun Morales
Honduras Country Director
Nahun leads the Orphan Helpers team in Honduras. For the past 12 years, he has worked in violence prevention and youth leadership development programs at Christian Stewardship Ministries, the Association for a More Just Society, and World Vision. Nahun earned his master's degree in Project Management from UNITEC (Central American Technological University).
Soledad Orellana
El Salvador Country Director
Soledad oversees all programs and operations in El Salvador. In 2007, Soledad joined the Orphan Helpers team after serving for 13 years in leadership positions at the country’s child welfare department (ISNA). A social worker by profession, she has worked throughout Central and South America helping abused and abandoned children.
Juan Colmenares
Guatemala Country Director
As Country Director for Guatemala, Juan will be leading our expansion there and overseeing all programs and operations. Juan has worked in the international nonprofit community for the past 16 years. Prior to joining Orphan Helpers, Juan served as Director of Church Mobilization at IJM, supporting the fight against child sexual abuse. He also worked with Healing Waters International, Compassion International, and Juan has worked 13 years at the Church Centro Biblico El Camino where he served in various ministries, including youth ministry. Juan graduated with a degree from Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala.
Edward Rivera
Director of Central American Partnerships
Edward develops relationships with Central American groups, including churches, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. He works throughout Honduras and El Salvador to recruit partners who want to help children and youth succeed. Edward first began as a volunteer with Orphan Helpers in 2008 following 22 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
Marilyn Horabuena
Executive Assistant
Andrea Schuitema
Program Director
Andrea and her family live in Guatemala. She oversees our programs in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Before joining Orphan Helpers, she spent nine years teaching high school Spanish in Michigan. She has worked and studied abroad in Mexico, Central America and Africa. She has a bachelor's degree in Bible & Cross-cultural Missions from Kuyper College, a teaching degree in Spanish from Calvin College, and holds a master's degree in Education and Technology from Cornerstone University.
Julia Bowen
Executive Assistant
Julia is the Executive Director’s assistant and helps with a variety of administrative tasks, including but not limited to social media, newsletters, donor correspondence, web optimization, and document revisions. She has a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Hospitality Management and an undergraduate degree in Education. She also has experience in marketing and communications.