From Chelsea Bennett

Why am I involved with Courage to Hope? I see women who are battered and suffering in my profession; to see a woman bruised and desperate for the slightest symbolism of hope has changed me, changed my perspective on life, my own abilities and my desire to reach out. I know there is a vital need for change and hope for those women who suffer. Being part of an organization like Courage to hope is life changing for all those who are involved, it is truly altruistic and with a group of young, capable, passionate students I recognize our reach is limited only by our dreams.
My name is Chelsea Bennett and I am completing my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University. I will begin working on my PhD in the same field in another part of the country starting this Fall. I completed my bachelors of science from Brigham Young University in Marriage, Family and Human Development. Throughout my schooling I have had the opportunity of studying internationally and recognizing the needs of others. One internship in particular provided the research needed for many of the laws and regulations on families and marriage within the United States. I have participated in many different research projects in the last six years evaluating and obtaining information of healthy family functioning. I have also had the privilege of spending hundreds of hours providing therapy to couples, individuals and families. I have researched and studied abuse, violence and women focuses. Finally, the more I learn the more I have a burning desire to help.

From Kristy Ashworth

I got involved with Courage to Hope because I believe that this organization can really make a difference. I've always been interested in international development and humanitarian work, and every time I heard about things like this a little light would flash on inside of me, and I would think to myself, "I wish I were the kind of person who would do something like that." In 2004 I took my first leap outside my comfort zone and moved to Kiev, Ukraine where I volunteered teaching English. This experience changed my life. I fell in love with Eastern Europe, and caught a glimpse of the power of service and love.

I returned to Eastern Europe a year later to serve a mission in Moscow, Russia, where I worked very closely with families and young women, almost all of whom had been affected by drug and alcohol abuse or domestic violence. I listened to hours and hours of personal accounts of the dangers and set-backs these women face because of the social acceptance of substance abuse, domestic violence, and corruption.

Domestic violence is a plague that haunts every culture in every nation in the world. I am grateful for Courage to Hope because it has given me the chance to take a stand and use my passion and resources to help women who suffer. Some of my best friends live in cultures where domestic violence is socially acceptable, and I am grateful to be doing my part to give them a better life.

From Nat Harward

I am involved with Courage to Hope because I believe we can actually make a difference in many lives in many communities around the world. I believe it is possible to diminish violence against women, that there are rising generations of boys ready to treat women with respect, and that there are rising generations of girls ready to shed old stereotypes and seize new opportunities. I'm committed to Courage to Hope because Courage to Hope is committed to teaching and supporting the people who pioneer change. And I believe that no woman should live her life in total subjection and fear, stripped of individuality and personal expression.

At my first Courage to Hope meeting, I watched Zack tell a group of 20 people about encountering a victim of domestic abuse. As I considered the hopeless situation of this woman and many others, I looked around the room and realized that even a small band of people can unite to a common goal and affect change so that one day all women may have the courage to hope for a better life.