Meet Lucas Hertzberg, GRACES new Sponsorship Coordinator!

We invite everyone to join us in welcoming Lucas Hertzberg to the GRACES team as our new Sponsorship Coordinator! Lucas will be overseeing the Sponsorship program for students and classrooms at Escuela Integrada.

“We are thrilled to have Lucas on board,” said Hannah Nadeau Girón, executive director of GRACES. “We are excited to have additional support with the Sponsorship program, since it is such an important part of our organization. Lucas’ energy will be a great addition to our team.”

Check out this note from Lucas!

Hey! My name is Lucas Hertzberg, and I’m from Joplin, Missouri. I recently moved to Guatemala at the beginning of February. I completed an internship for Escuela Integrada in the summer of 2019 and fell in love with Guatemala and its people. I knew I had to make it back here, but I was not sure how or when.

I started that journey by finishing my bachelor’s degree, with a major in communications and a minor in speaking, public relations and mass communications. After I graduated, I moved to Washington State to attend welding school. I thought it would be a good way to enhance my logistical communication skills and gain a trade. This worked in my favor because welders were classified as essential workers during the pandemic. I finished welding school and was able to find good work.

During this time, the borders of Guatemala were still closed. I waited, worked as much as possible, practiced my spanish, and saved money. Once Guatemala opened its borders, I started making plans to move back.

I have been blessed to be able to find a job in the place I love, doing what I studied, and with the people I call my second family. I’m excited to learn, grow, and help in every way possible!

Lucas will also be leading the monthly Sponsor Update Meetings, with the next one coming up next week on Wednesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. EDT. All sponsors are invited to attend the once-per-month virtual gatherings to learn more about education in Guatemala and relief efforts during the pandemic.

The meetings are typically held at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on the third Wednesday of the month. Current sponsors receive the Zoom link through their email on the day of the meeting. The upcoming Sponsor Update meetings are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 19 @ 6 p.m. EDT
• Wednesday, June 16 @ 6 p.m. EDT
• Wednesday, July 21 @ 6 p.m. EDT

Make sure to add these dates to your calendar and keep an eye on your email for the link to join! Click here to add to your calendar now.

If you are not a current sponsor and would like to learn more about sponsoring a child or a classroom at Escuela Integrada, please visit wearegraces.org/sponsorships. We would love to connect you with a child at Escuela Integrada! You can also email lucas@wearegraces.org with any questions or to start the process of sponsoring a child.