History
Corazón de Esperanza is non-denominational and was incorporated in Colorado as a non-profit organization in 2010. The organization was started by a dedicated group of men and women who recognized that there was a great need for services and support for women, at-risk youth, and youth emancipating from orphanages in Northern Peru . Corazón de Esperanza first began in 2010 by hiring a Peruvian director, Elizabeth Bernuy, who met with numerous judges, lawyers, social workers, and orphanage directors in Trujillo, Peru to elicit their thoughts about the greatest need in the Trujillo area. The overwhelming consensus was that there was a crucial need for a transitional home and supportive services for youth aging out of orphanage care. During the summer of 2010, our director started meeting with at-risk youths out of her home to provide counseling, Bible studies, and life-skills classes. She also began the long process of obtaining approval in Trujillo to start a transitional home. In June 2011, the transitional home, Hogar Luz de Vida, received authorization in Peru and a large apartment was leased to begin receiving youth. In February 2012, three female youth entered the home with the support of our Peruvian director, live-in tutor, and a part-time social worker and psychologist. The team continued to work with up to ten at-risk youth who continued living outside of the home. Later we were able to purchase land and the first two floors of our building were completed in March 2013 and the third floor in 2015. We are thankful to have completed all six floors of the building in December 2020, allowing more youth to benefit from our programs.
In addition to providing youth transitional and development services, our staff also began reaching out to women and children living in a nearby rural community. With the help of volunteers and missions teams, we began to provide Bible studies, cooking classes, jewelry making classes and knitting classes for the women. The program, Hilos y Semillas, has allowed the women an opportunity to provide a small income for their families. As they continue to sell their hand-made good, their children are also provided classes where God’s love and hope is shared.
Robyn Hanson, President
Robyn first visited Peru in 2006 and was overwhelmed by the needs of the children and women she met. She later spent a year volunteering with an orphanage and returned home with a passion to continue providing assistance. Robyn loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her family. She is the mother of 5 adopted children, grandmother of three, and lives in Colorado with her husband.
Email: rhanson@cdehope.org
Heather Giezendanner, Vice President
Heather has dedicated her life to helping children in need, in the U.S. and in Peru. She lived in Peru for a year where she volunteered at an orphanage. She has continued her support of a variety of ministries by visiting bi-annually. Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a Master’s of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. She worked in the child welfare system for over ten years. Heather currently stays home with her two children. She and her husband live in San Francisco with their two children.
Email: Hloyd@cdehope.org
Hans Brandes, Treasurer
Hans was an engineer at Bath Iron Works Corporation for his entire career. Since retirement, he has been able to dedicate more time to both the business part of Corazón de Esperanza and to spending time at the youth home in Perú connecting with the youth and staff.
Hans lives in Maine with his wife and dog, Rosa. They have two children. Hans spends his free time on the local train and driving a bus for local school trips.
Email: hbrandes@cdehope.org
Sean Califf , Secretary
Sean is an active member and music leader in the congregation of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Iowa. He has been with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Des Moines, Iowa, since 2001 and has a degree in Government and International Affairs from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and an MBA from Upper Iowa University. He lives in Ankeny, Iowa, with his wife, Kara, and has three kids, Emma, Andi, and Sam.
Email: scaliff@cdehope.org
Shelly Ogren
Shelly visited Peru in early 2015 & has since been an avid supporter of CdE, joining the Board in 2019. Originally from the Midwest and now living in San Francisco, she possesses over two decades in the financial services industry focused on risk management, governance & strategy. Shelly is passionate about the intersection of justice/renewal, finance & strategically shrewd thinking. She earned a B.S. in Finance from the WP Carey School of Business, a Wharton Leadership Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Stonier School of Banking.
Email: shelly.ogren@cdehope.org
Sarah Moy
Sarah lived in Peru in 2008 for six months teaching English with a Christian organization. While there, she organized trips for the American English teachers to visit and spend time with the children at an orphanage. She has been an avid supporter of Corazon de Esperanza and the work being done in Trujillo. Sarah is a registered nurse and enjoys baking, hosting parties, and spending time with her husband and two cats. They live in Brooklyn, NY.
Bryson Adolf
Robyn,
CEO
Robyn first visited Peru in 2006 and was overwhelmed by the needs of the children and women she met. She later spent a year volunteering with an orphanage and returned home with a passion to continue providing assistance. Robyn loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her family. She is the mother of 5 adopted children, grandmother of three, and lives in Colorado with her husband.
Email: rhanson@cdehope.org
Laura Alamos,
US Office Assistant
Laura joined Corazon de Esperanza in May 2022. She joins us with over 15 years of office experience. She has always dreamed of helping children and making a difference. Laura’s passion is crafting and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching movies. Laura lives in Colorado with her husband and two boys.
Email: lalamos@cdehope.org
Elizabeth Bernuy Mendez,
Executive Director
Liz has worked with Luz de Vida from the beginning. She has a heart for youth starting back in social work, which lead to a director position at a local orphanage and later with Luz de Vida. She became the Executive Consultant in September 2021 and continues to help youth in need. Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons traveling and spending time outdoors.
Annie Johanson Valdavia,
Director of Programs
Annie became Director of Programs in 2024. She has excellent leadership and a vast understanding of our programs. Previously, she had been leading our orphanage outreach program since February 2020. Prior to this position, she was the director of a local orphanage. Annie wants to see the youths’ lives change for the better, especially their faith in God. Annie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and crafting with fabrics.
Evelyn Balarezo,
Director of Finance
Evelyn joined the Luz de Vida team in July 2023. She studied accounting at the University. Evelyn is a dynamic person, cheerful and helpful. She enjoys working with our administrative team and loves our youth and staff. Evelyn loves her three dogs and enjoys hiking, bicycling and traveling.
Administrative Assistant
Marina Rodríguez,
Residential Program Coordinator
Marina joined Luz de Vida in 2023. She has a degree in psychology and has worked as a psychologist for other non profits. Marina has also led teams in the health industry and empowerment projects in local prisons. Marina enjoys walking and visiting the countryside with her family. Marina would like to visit Japan and spend time with her sister there.
Nancy Huamaní Chávez,
Residential Program Assistant
Nancy has worked with us in various roles since September 2016. Her vast experience ranges from spiritual advisor, volunteer coordinator, Assistant to Director and board liaison. Nancy continues to work for the good of the youth as the Assistant for the youth transitional home. Nancy is very active in her church as her husband is the pastor. She also has two beautiful daughters.
Marlon Vargas,
Residential Program Assistant
Marlon has been working at Luz de Vida since October 2023. Before working at LdV he worked for 10 years in Christian retail. Through his church, he has experience working with adolescents, youth and young adults. Marlon is currently studying theology at the Seminary. Marlon is married and has three children. He enjoys literature and cycling.
Brenda Elera Tarrillo,
Residential Program Assistant
Brenda has been on staff with Luz de Vida since March 2024, Previously, she worked in an institution dedicated to creating different therapies for autistic children. Brenda enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Santiago and Nayeli. In her free time, she listens to worship music and reads.
Paola Escobedo Apariaio,
Educational Program Coordinator
Paola has worked with Luz de Vida since January 2018. Before working with the Educational Program, she was the in-home coordinator for the girls at the transitional home. Paola has a degree in psychology and worked in a local orphanage prior to working at LdV. She strives to support and help the youth in our programs to succeed. Paola lives with her husband and little boy. Paola enjoys decorating and painting.
Violeta Sanchez,
Educational Program Assistant
Violeta joined our team in 2024. She has a degree in nursing and psychology bringing her expertise to the youth in our program. Violeta is passionate about empowering youth to build a promising future and relationship with God. Violeta enjoys spending time with her husband of 18 years and her two sons.
Luis ”Javier” Ramirez,
Foster Care and Mentorship Program Coordinator
Javier is a lawyer dedicated to children’s rights. He worked in an orphanage in Trujillo and also was a public defender for an adoption agency in Trujillo. He is very excited to be lead the Foster Care and Mentorship program at Luz de Vida since the beginning of 2023. Javier lives with his wife, Mindy, and daughter, Lilia. He enjoys music, soccer and loves nature.
Lourdes Sheyla Benites Pinedo,
Foster Care and Mentorship Program Assistant
Lourdes began working for Luz de Vida in September 2022. She is part of our Mentoring Program in Perú. Lourdes is in charge of finding mentoring families for our youth that wish to be mentored. In her free time, she loves listening to podcasts, walking, being in nature, hiking mountains, and spending time with her loved ones.
Jhimmy Tirado Cabrera,
Foster Care and Mentorship Program Assistant
Jhimmy has been working at Luz de Vida since September 2022. He assists in the Mentoring program working to build a relationship between the youth and the mentoring families. Jhimmy is a psychologist and previously worked with youth in the school system. He is also a church leader at the Roca Fuerte Bible church where he attends with his wife. Jhimmy loves music and practicing sports.
Jimenita Sanchez,
Orphange Outreach Coordinator
Jimena joined Luz de Vida in February of 2024. She previously worked as a psychologist for more than 8 years helping children, adolescents and families. She also worked for Save for the Children for four years. Jimena continues her education studying psychotherapy. Jimena enjoys literature, art, and making resin crafts.
Anghela Rossmery,
Orphanage Outreach Assistant
Anghela completed her psychology internship with our program, Luz de Vida, in 2023. She graduated and joined our staff in 2024. Anghela assists youth in creating their life plans and leads bi-monthly workshops for the program. Anghela loves spending time with her mother and brother. Her hobbies include watercolor, watching television, and reading.
Elizabeth Bernuy Mendez
President
Obal Guevara
Vice President
Robyn Hanson
Member
Carlos Vasquez
Treasurer
Irma Saenz Obando
Secretary
The Five Year Plan
Would you like to know more about the future goals of Corazón de Esperanza and Hogar Luz de Vida? Please download our “5 year plan” to see what we’re doing. View and download our 5 year plan.
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Corazón de Esperanza, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope to orphaned children, at-risk teens and impoverished women of Northern Peru.
Get in Touch: 80 Springfield Street, POB 4354 Gypsum, Colorado 81637 (303) 801-8958
