A Celebration of Brilliant Minds: Noche de Colores in Minneapolis
- vanessac152
- May 30
- 3 min read
Quincy Hall was filled with color, art, and hope on May 15, as nearly 400 friends, longtime supporters, and new faces gathered to celebrate Noche de Colores: Celebrating Brilliant Minds.
On this beautiful evening, we came together with one shared dream: to support lasting difference in the lives of students and families in Guatemala through education, healthcare, family development, and housing programs. It was an unforgettable event that highlighted the power of hope and community. Thanks to the incredible commitment and support, together we raised an outstanding $319,000!
We are deeply grateful for the community we have built together, a community that believes in the brilliance of young minds and their capacity to reach their dreams. We are deeply grateful, thank you!
The evening began with an artisan marketplace featuring our favorite products from Guatemala, offering a taste of the country’s culture. We also enjoyed a silent auction and golden ticket raffle, where one lucky winner took home a beautiful bottle of Ron Zacapa, hand-painted by our special guest and former student, Alex Quintanilla. Congrats!
Bright futures come from collective power: Jocelyn Skolnik’s message
Our Executive Director, Jocelyn Skolnik, welcomed everyone and shared heartfelt words of gratitude. She celebrated the incredible generosity in the room, thanking everyone for their hard work and commitment to brighter futures.
“Bright futures are made possible through the collective power of this community” -Jocelyn
And that is exactly who we are. Students and their families, supporters, longtime and new volunteers, board members, visitors, sponsors, and staff, we are all part of the big Common Hope community, united by our belief in the power of hope and the lasting impact of education.
Getting to know Alex Quintanilla: Artist, dreamer, and former Common Hope student.
We were honored to welcome Alex Quintanilla, a former Common Hope student and talented artist, who is now shining his light and creativity beyond borders through his art.
Alex started his journey in Common Hope’s New Hope school, where his teachers always believed in him, encouraging him to work hard and dream big. Today, his art is being shared far beyond Guatemala.
“I’m living my dream today because someone believed in me. That’s what Common Hope does. It gives kids a chance to shine.” Alex reminded us just how far belief and opportunity can take someone, and we are honored to share his journey to inspire others. “Hope is powerful. I found it through Common Hope and now I try to share it in everything I create.” Watch Alex's story of experiencing New Hope School here.
Champion of Hope 2025: Let's Celebrate Elaine Christiansen!
We were honored to award Elaine Christiansen as our 2025 Champion of Hope in recognition of her long-standing dedication and incredible support over the past 20 years.
Since beginning her journey in 1999, Elaine has opened doors of opportunity for 24 students, 15 of whom have already graduated, while 2 more are in their final steps toward achieving their dreams.
To celebrate her remarkable journey, she received 24 roses, one for each student whose path she has supported. Elaine was moved and shared her gratitude with everyone in the room, expressing the love and support she has received in return. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Elaine!
Thank you for making this celebration so special!
To everyone who joined us, THANK YOU! Your generosity and belief in bright futures made Noche de Colores a night to remember.
We are so grateful to have you as part of the Common Hope community. Together, we are supporting brilliant minds, like Alex, to reach their dreams and create a future filled with hope and opportunity.
Thank you!
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