CU-Lock Haven social work faculty member volunteers at 'Education and Hope' in Guatemala

As a social work faculty member at the Commonwealth University, Dr. Steven Granich believes in the importance of international service. Earlier this year, Granich had the unique opportunity to volunteer at Education and Hope, a non-profit organization founded by Julie Coyne, an American citizen, with the organizational goal of creating change through education and wellness in Quetzaltenango, the Western highlands of Guatemala. The organizational belief is that education can break the cycle of poverty in Guatemala.

"In Guatemala, many people live in poverty or extreme poverty, especially in rural areas," Granich said. "Many families are unable to send their children to school. The majority of the two million children who cannot attend school are young indigenous girls in rural areas. The children need education so that they do not experience poverty, malnutrition and high rates of infant mortality."

Education and Hope nurtures the child in a holistic manner. Their work centers on improving academic performance, scholarships to attend local school, after-school programs, improving nutrition and health and support for the welfare of the children and families in the program.

Education and Hope is a large program spanning two buildings in the city center of Quetzaltenango. Program staff include psychologists, a nutritionist, teachers, a speech therapist, nurses and administrative staff. There is a concerted effort to address education and health needs. Meals served for breakfast and lunch are nutritious and prepared by a large kitchen staff. Younger children attend an early childhood education program throughout the whole day, while the older children arrive in the afternoon after classes at their "colegio." In 2025, 185 students received academic scholarships.

On his first day at Education and Hope, Granich participated in an orientation of the after-school program that serves 135 students daily. All conversations at the school were in Spanish, as all employees of the program are Guatemalan. Many of the current teachers at Education and Hope had been students at the school as younger children and adolescents.

During his volunteer experience, Granich led many groups with adolescents on ways of coping with stress. In addition, other topics for groups included coping with grief and prevention of tobacco, drug and alcohol use. He also led an adult stress management group for the kitchen staff.

"Each day I assisted Mr. Wilson Alvarado with English and working on his writing skills for his future education at Berea College in Kentucky, where he has received a scholarship for four years."