The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Danielle Hernesman
When I was growing up I had no inclination that I would be working in the beauty industry one day. In a twist and turn of events through my junior/senior year of high-school I wound up completing my schooling a bit early with an online schooling option so when a June enrollment opened in a nearby cosmetology school, I thought, “shoot, I could spend the summer going through the nail technician course and work doing that until I decide what I really want to do when I grow up.” Read more>>
Margaret Selva
Growing a wellness business can be hard. Massage requires vulnerability and trust and both the client and practitioner know within the first ten minutes if it’s the right fit: comfortable bolstering on the table, pressure, pace, proper technique, amount of lotion, communication, etc. When you find the right match for someone who values routine massages, you almost want to exchange high fives as you make the next appointment. But that doesn’t happen all of the time in the first few years. Read more>>
Kyanna Ware
After doing a few birthday cakes for family, a few people started saying I should actually start a bakery. Of course I thought they were crazy, I wondered who would shop with me, not wanting to interact with people and fear of failing I said I would never. Shortly after, the family forced payment upon me for the cakes so I took a leap. I came up with a business name an found a website that worked for ordering, I started getting orders and people started seeing the name. I am now almost 2 years in, customers that I do not know, still trying to grow an expand but you can see the improvement in my work. Read more>>
Jarin Quintuña
I joined the club when I first met Emi in high school in fall 2019, I volunteered a lot in the group until about a year after covid hit and then I focused on school for a year or two before returning and continuing to help out in the group. I was then considered and elected to be vice president of the group in fall 2024. Read more>>
Susan Horowitz
I always liked being surrounded by creative people which gave me inspiration. I continued to work in retail, advertising, and a famous graphic design firm. While at the design firm, I was motivated to create something myself. I always thought I had an entrepreneurial spirit, but didn’t have the courage to pursue it until 1989. On a whim, I got an idea to design decorative tennis shoes, which were very popular at that time. I had no training in design, I don’t draw, but I had a vision. Every day on my lunch hour I would drive to downtown Los Angeles and seek out sources for tennis shoes and materials. I made prototypes and took them around to a variety of people for feedback. Lo and behold, everyone asked me where I purchased them. Thus, began a short term journey of selling tennis shoes to high end boutiques around the country.. Read more>>
Kate Bauman
During covid I lost my fiancée. It made me take a hard look at my life and decided to act on things I had not done in my life and how to move forward. I decided to volunteer in Africa. My fiancé was from west Africa and we had a trip planned to go visit them before he passed away. I decided to do the trip alone and meet his family. I volunteered in Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana. My last stop was with his Family in Burkina Faso. I ended up leaving before I made it to his family because of the covid situation at the time in Africa. Read more>>
Nate Grotberg
We began our non-profit, Our Father’s Basket International, and we bought land that we have built on as the Lord has provided and lead us to. All of this is ultimately an avenue to share Jesus. We can feed them and teach them how to improve their lives, but without Jesus, it’s all meaningless. The village is heavily influenced by culture and tradition. It’s not uncommon for them to claim one faith, but to also practice witchcraft. The message behind “Our Father’s Basket” is that it is Jehova Jireh who provides for our needs, when we place our faith in Him alone. People in the village come to the farm, train, share a meal, and learn that Jesus is the truth, the life, and the way. Read more>>
Dockery Pryor
Being A Community Oriented System Of Care we are Proud to be apart of Inclusion in Our Community. Serving now for 20 years And Advocate for Individuals with Disabilities and Seniors this is one of the best Accomplishment i feel The Hope group has made, Seeing Our Communities thrive. Accomplishments of being A Certified Advocate for Youth/Seniors, mental Health DSP and Now A Certified Support Specialist We are Proud to Serve. Read more>>
