NEWS AND UPDATES
Join us for an inspiring morning supporting girls’ education in Guatemala. Our Annual Fundraising Breakfast is coming right up — and this year we’re celebrating Guatemala alongside the life-changing work of Casa Luminarias. Join us on Wednesday, November 5 from 8:30–10:00 AM at Brookview Golf Club Golden Valley for breakfast accompanied by authentic Guatemalan coffee, inspiring student stories, and a chance to empower girls’ education in Guatemala. Click here for details.
HUGH MCELROY MEMORIAL - AUGUST 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved founder, Hugh McElroy, who entered eternal rest on August 12, 2025, at the age of 87. Hugh’s life was marked by faith, service, and an unwavering commitment to the dignity and potential of every person.
In 2014, at the age of 75, Hugh founded Luminarias to provide a safe, nurturing home and educational opportunities for adolescent Indigenous girls in Guatemala. What began with fifteen girls in a rented home has grown into a thriving community where young women learn, grow, and shine. Click here to read more…
EVENT INVITATION FOR NOVEMBER 5 BREAKFAST
THANK YOU - to those who have already reserved a place with us for Wednesday, November 5 from 8:30–10:00 AM at Brookview Golf Club. The event includes breakfast accompanied by authentic Guatemalan coffee. Expect an engaging morning celebrating Guatemala and the life-changing work of Casa Luminarias. Feel free to forward this to friends and family who would enjoy a chance to help empower girls’ education in Guatemala. Every girl deserves the chance to learn, grow, and lead. Your presence—and your generosity—help light the path to a brighter future. Click here to read more!
As we gathered to honor the gift of Hugh’s life at his visitation and funeral, new and old members of the Board of Directors of Luminarias greeted each other with warm hugs. We enjoyed a loving video of Hugh’s life created by his nephews and met up with many past supporters of Hugh’s work in Guatemala.
A common question among those in the group of mourners was, “What will happen to Luminarias now that Hugh has died?” We want all of Hugh’s family, friends and acquaintances to know that as board members, we are and have been committed to doing the necessary work to support our young women in Guatemala in the months and years ahead. Click here to read more…
Since our last update, we wanted to share a heartfelt development in the journey of our founder and dear friend, Hugh McElroy. Over the past few weeks, Hugh’s health has declined, and he has now entered a hospice care home in Minnesota. He is being lovingly supported by his family, close friends, and members of the extended Luminarias community. Though his body is growing weaker, his spirit remains strong—filled with the same quiet joy and deep faith that have defined his life of service. Click here to read more…
We write today with deep gratitude and heartfelt reflection. Hugh McElroy, beloved founder of Luminarias, now resides in an assisted living facility and is receiving special care as he continues this chapter of life at age 87. His spirit remains strong, and his heart is filled with the same humility and hope that inspired him to begin this journey ten years ago. At 75, Hugh answered a calling that would change countless lives. Click here to read more!
MAY 2025: ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
Thanks to your support, 2024 was a year of profound progress for our program in Guatemala, allowing for significant growth and preparation for a bright future. In 2024, three of our 16 Luminarias girls graduated from Colegio Valle Americano (high school). We now have eight girls in our rental home in Guatemala City pursuing their studies at San Carlos University. We are also thrilled to announce our Ten-Year Anniversary as a recognized U.S. nonprofit organization! Click below to read all about it in our 2024 Annual Impact Report!
On Saturday, March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a global tribute to the strength, resilience, and limitless potential of women and girls. This year, we invite you to turn your hearts toward a group of young women who often go unseen: Indigenous teenage girls in Guatemala—bright, determined, and full of dreams, yet too often held back by systemic poverty and cultural barriers. In many Indigenous communities, opportunities for girls are scarce. Education is often out of reach, early marriage is common, and economic independence feels like an impossible dream. Click here to read more…
The past week has been a time of joy and celebration as we warmly welcome the 2025 Luminarias scholarship recipients to Casa Luminarias in San Lucas Sacatepéquez. This remarkable group of young ladies, a mix of returning scholars and new participants, are joining the ever-growing Luminarias family. Together, these 16 girls bring renewed energy, talent, and determination to our shared mission of transforming lives through education. Click here to read more…
On November 8th, three Luminarias graduated from Colegio Valle Americano, a private college-preparatory academy that is within walking distance of Casa Luminarias. In January, Leydi, Joselyn and Keytlin will move into our rental home in Guatemala City and begin their studies at San Carlos University. Parents, school staff, house staff and the younger girls all celebrated the accomplishments of these students at a party and ceremony. Click here to read all about it in our 2024 Newsletter!
The high cost of basic food products, particularly fruits and vegetables, has caused a significant economic crisis in Guatemala. Prices of essential items, such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions and carrots, increased by THREE OR FOUR TIMES in recent months. Families that traditionally depend on these products for their daily nutrition now face challenges in terms of the family budget and financial uncertainty. Click here to read more…
One of our hallmarks is the provision of an extensive array of extra-curricular activities and services. Many of these disciplines demand focus, self-confidence, and creativity, as participants engage in activities that stimulate imagination and problem-solving abilities. Others contribute to academic achievement, social development, and leadership skills. Click here to read more…
I just returned from Guatemala a few weeks ago, where I had the privilege of supporting Luminarias - empowering Indigenous girls through education, housing, and leadership development. While the country is breathtaking in its beauty and culture, it also carries the heavy legacy of a 36-year civil war that left deep scars—especially among the Indigenous Maya people. Despite its scale, this war remains largely overlooked and forgotten outside of Guatemala. Click here to read more!
I am delighted to share some significant updates about the Luminarias University Program, which places most of the girls who have completed our program at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC). It is the largest and oldest university in Guatemala and holds distinction as the only public university in the entire country. Since its inception in 2021, our university program has made substantial strides in supporting young women who previously faced economic and technological barriers to continuing their education. Click here to read more…
Luminarias in Spanish means illumination; supplying or brightening with light; to enlighten spiritually or intellectually. I made my first trip to Guatemala in 2001. Over the years of working with youth in Guatemala, I realized the dire poverty in which many of them live. In addition to lack of education, food, clothing – and often safe shelter with water and electricity – there is a great need for children to build relationships with role models who are willing to listen to their stories, support them during hard times, and encourage their holistic development. Click here to read more…
The young women in our program dare to dream bigger because of the opportunities education provides. But for so many girls in Guatemala, access to education remains out of reach. Less than 30% of poor, rural indigenous girls are enrolled in secondary school, highlighting pronounced ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities. Investing in girls' education doesn’t just change individual lives—it uplifts entire communities. When girls receive an education, they gain the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful careers, advocate for their rights, and contribute to the well-being of their families. Click here to read more…
Poverty is a persistent and severe issue for Guatemala's indigenous population, who face deep socioeconomic disparities compared to the rest of the country. They make up about 40% of the population and are disproportionately affected by poverty. Many live in rural areas where access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and clean water is limited. Sadly, the poverty rate among indigenous communities is estimated to be over 70%, far higher than the national average. Click here to read more…
Luminarias is a small nonprofit with a big dream – to make a deep impact on women’s lives in Guatemala. Your gifts and prayers allow us to empower Guatemalan girls to re-imagine their futures and become the women they aspire to be. In 2024 our budget has been impacted by the dire food shortage in Guatemala, expansion of our University program, wear and tear on the building and equipment. Please consider a gift to help us raise the needed $20,000 to meet our 2024 budget. Click here to read more…
