News

Jun 01, 2023

Hearts In Motion Opens First Trade School

A nonprofit organization based in Northwest Indiana says earlier this month it opened its first trade school for students who are interested in learning a new skilled trade and want to get the

A nonprofit organization based in Northwest Indiana says earlier this month it opened its first trade school for students who are interested in learning a new skilled trade and want to get the necessary training to secure a good job quickly. Hearts in Motion out of Schererville announces The Maria Felicitas Diego Morales Trade School located in Guatemala will provide nearly 20,000 square feet of space for students to learn a career in welding and become self-sufficient. A news release said the new trade school will provide a full time licensed welding instructor to the first class of five students, and the school has five workbenches, safety equipment (helmets, head gear, gloves, etc.) , a grinder, welding machine, hacksaw, and other small tools.

“We are ecstatic about the opening of the trade school,” said Karen Scheeringa-Parra, executive director of Hearts In Motion. “These students will get the opportunity to learn real life skills to advance them into better jobs. It is the hand up they need, and we are so proud to provide this educational opportunity.” The school resides on the Gualan Campus of Hearts In Motion and had a soft opening on July 8th with classes beginning immediately. More trades other than welding are expected to be added in the future. Classes are held five days a week with future classes expected to include learning how to sew and bake. The nonprofit said an anonymous donor made a significant donation to make the school possible. The anonymous donor said the school is a reminder of where they came from and to honor all those people that need a helping hand in life, a news release from Hearts In Motion said.

Eighteen-year-old Carlos will be one of the first students to benefit from the school, Hearts in Motion said. Carlos wanted to go to school to learn welding his entire life but was unable to enroll in the past due to his disability, Spina Bifida, which affects the development of the spine and requires Carlos to utilize a mobility cart for locomotion, the news release said. Now he will be able to realize his dream. “The programs at Hearts In Motion are so helpful to the community,” said Carlos. “This education will give me the ability to help myself get ahead and help my family.” He should be certified to begin working in welding after approximately a year of training. During this time of training, the students will be making items that will be sold to Hearts In Motion volunteers to make an income.

About Hearts In MotionHearts In Motion (HIM) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1993. Its mission is to empower volunteers to positively impact the lives of people in need. HIM provides quality medical care, assists in the development of social programs to improve health, education, and welfare for people, and provides opportunities for individuals to participate in short term mission experiences in the U.S., Central and South America, enhancing the lives of people in poverty. In Guatemala, HIM operates a children’s home, nutrition center, senior center, daycare center, rehabilitation services, supports emergency andfirefighter services, offers a sponsorship program for school age children, and provides medical care, training and construction projects.

Hearts in Motion also operates a thrift store in Schererville, Indiana providing low-cost items for struggling families. With headquarters in Schererville Indiana, and satellite offices in Gualan, Guatemala, Louisville KY, Tulsa OK, and Mukwonago WI, HIM draws volunteers to service from across the US. To learn more, visit https://www.heartsinmotion.org/ and on social Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.