Funding a Lifetime of Hope

The mission of Leah's Hope is to connect teenagers, leaving their Chinese orphanage because of their age, with the educational funding necessary to become trained, self-sufficient, hopeful adults.

Helping

 Orphans

             Prosper through

   Education


Board Members:

Leah Gimre - President - As a graduate of Indiana University with a double major in Elementary and Special Education, Leah has alway had a passion for education. Leah is currently a Resource Teacher at a school in Illinois. She has spent extensive amounts of time volunteering for different organizations over the years. Leah's hope, when starting this non-profit organization, was to improve the lives of as many people as possible. 

Carla Crosby - Vice President - A dual Swiss-American citizen, Carla has been fascinated by cross-cultural endeavors since childhood. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a Political Science/International Relations degree, this fascination led her to a job with an international development non-profit, where she experienced firsthand the effects of training and education on breaking the poverty cycle. Carla continues to passionately support non-profit efforts that focus on education and cross-cultural engagement. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Leah's Hope, she also enjoys tutoring at-risk students, volunteering in a pre-school for refugee children, and providing scholarship assistance to students in a gang-infested area in El Salvador. Her hobbies include travel, hiking, and helping refugees and recent immigrants adjust to life in the U.S.

Jeanette Cure - Treasurer - Jeanette has been with Leah's Hope since its inception in 2011. Jeanette is part of the vision, strategy, and fundraising efforts for Leah's Hope. Her involvement with non-profit organizations began in 2002 when she was on the Board of Directors for a non-profit adoption agency. Jeanette quickly developed a deep passion for charitable work and is inspired to help make a positive change for children in the world. Jeanette works full time as an HRIS Manager and in her free time enjoys traveling, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Amy Gimre - Secretary - Amy has had the opportunity to live in three foreign countries in her lifetime. Each of those experiences has given her a greater appreciatation of other cultures. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Secondary Education. She worked for years as a copy editor, a teacher, and as an adoption coordinator. Before being on the board of Leah's Hope, Amy was on the board of an adoption agency and a preschool. She is also the author the children's book If I Could.

Bob Cure - Bob has always been behind the scenes at Leah's Hope. This year he has officially joined our board. He will be developing the Leah's Hope social media platform. Bob started volunteering at the Lemont Area Youth Service Bureau at the age of 12. The group organized events and counseling services for teenagers in the Lemont, IL area. He has always been willing to take time to help others. His experience as a General Manager/Information Manager for a regional supply company will help Leah's Hope grow. His love for Leah's Hope began several years ago when he met Leah's little sister, Grace. It probably was no coincidence that Bob was one of the few people that could comfort Grace, who had just arrived from China. This special bond is what drives his desire to help others from the orphanages in China. Bob love to spend time with his family and friends. He also loves to travel and be outdoors.

Steve Gimre