We cultivate long term relationships with dreamers in villages around the world.
Origin Story
In the fall of 2020, two friends sat at a rooftop restaurant in Dallas, Texas, discussing their dreams for the future. Amidst their conversation, they came across an aligned dream to help people around the world. Having traveled together before, including a trip to Southeast Asia where they worked with a local named Vuthy to organize a soccer tournament aimed at addressing substance abuse in his village, they felt a spark of inspiration.
They were struck by the impact of seeing a dream materialize and felt driven to participate in that process. That very night, they resolved to pursue their own vision: founding an organization to aid communities globally, with a primary focus on empowering local leaders. Knowing they had much to offer, they embarked on this journey with unwavering determination.
After some time, they finalized their mission and goals during a trip to Costa Rica. This was the beginning of what is now a thriving international nonprofit called Village Reach. Our projects have ranged from informational sporting events, building clinics, building classrooms, sponsoring youth retreats, sponsoring agricultural initiatives, installing water filtration systems, and so much more.
Our Mission
Village Reach is a global nonprofit empowering individuals with bold dreams to effect meaningful change in their communities. We provide resources, encouragement, and project support, mobilizing our team and donors to turn these visions into a reality. Together, we enable dreamers to transform their villages and leave a lasting impact.
Milestones, Values, and Culture
Our international nonprofit launched in 2021 and has remained dedicated to empowering passionate local visionaries to create positive community change ever since. Our milestones reflect our commitment and growth:
Established 501c3 Status: A vital step for our nonprofit foundation.
First Full-Time Employee Hired: Marking our expansion and capacity to serve.
Global Reach: Operating in three mission locations, impacting multiple communities worldwide.
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Twelve-fold Increase in Donations: A testament to the trust our donors have in our mission.
Initiatives Launched: Our ambassador, internship, and partnership programs are driving growth and effectiveness.
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Our project dreamers lead with deep community insight and local connections, ensuring sustainable impact. We provide them with:
Encouragement and Prayer
Financial Assistance and Planning Support
Companionship and Community Involvement
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We foster relationships with our dreamers and supporters like family, building trust and mutual support.
Transparency is key: public project funds are separate from private sponsorship funds, ensuring clarity and accountability.
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While grounded in Christian values, we honor our dreamers' cultural contexts.
Our careful, intentional growth ensures we provide full support to our current commitments.
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Our weekly 'Sync & Spark' sessions get our team on the same page and spark creative ideas.
Regular Dreamer Meetings catch us up with our dreamers, checking in on their projects and community impact.
Monthly Dream Team meetings where we come together with our dreamers from across the globe to facilitate them to share wisdom, prayer, encouragement, and success with one another
We value our donors, frequently engaging them to improve our services and maximize their impact.
Our Pillars
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Health & Wellness
For example in 2020, our generous donors contributed a total of $7,500 USD, enabling us to assist our dreamer, Vuthy, in constructing a small clinic/pharmacy in the heart of Toch Village, Cambodia. The impact is significant, as countless individuals now have access to vital consultation and medication within their own community, with the added benefit of a flexible payment plan.
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Education & Recreation
In 2019, our donors collectively gave $3000 USD for 300 community members in Toch Village, Cambodia to come together to host an opening night dinner to kick off a weekend soccer tournament geared toward speaking out against drug and alcohol abuse. We were able to share a story of hope which was so impactful that we have helped put on this tournament annually ever since!
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Economic Improvement
In Paraolan Village, located in a war-torn and politically unstable region of India, we partnered with our dreamer, Matt, and his fellow villagers to establish mini chicken farms, enhancing their livelihoods. The project's success has inspired Matt to envision an even larger goal: establishing a market within the village. This market will not only provide economic opportunities but also alleviate the need for villagers to travel long distances through conflict zones to access essential goods and services.
How We Work
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We start by reviewing applications from potential dreamers or ideas from individuals worldwide, narrowing down to those aligning with our project guidelines. Following this, we plan visits to locations, meeting with local dreamers to build relationships and understand their needs. Our focus is on listening to the community, assessing the environment and potential obstacles, and mitigating issues. Our approach is centered on catering to the desires of the local people, rather than imposing our own beliefs or ideas.
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Next, we utilize our project management system to organize budgets, timelines, crews, logistics, and all necessary resources for the initiative. During this stage, you can track the project status and funding goal on our website, where you can also make one-time or recurring donations to support the project.
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For the most exciting stage of the process, we book our flights and kick-off the project! This is when you will have the opportunity to join us for a trip to the project location or simply opt-in to receive email updates on the project’s status. One of our core values is transparency, so you will be able to see how donation dollars have been used through our communication channels - here on our website, via email, and through social media.
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As we near project completion, we rally our supporters for prayers and funding, acknowledging their crucial role in our success. With financial provision, we are able to check off each task of the project until it's accomplished and ideally self-sustaining.
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The last phase involves the continual maintenance of lasting relationships. We are committed to the possibility of undertaking another project in the same mission locations, continuing our dedication to make a lasting impact in these communities. Through regular trips, virtual communication, and ongoing support, we remain diligent to nurturing the relationships we've formed whether it's in Chicago, Illinois, or Toch Village, Cambodia.
Meet Our Team
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Katlyn van Wingerden
Katlyn, newly wed, serves as the Co-Founder of Village Reach and is the Author of “Fierce: Conquering the Battleground Between Who You Are and Who You’re Destined to Be”. She resides in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, in a charmingly character-filled house they are renovating, alongside their beloved Newfoundland puppy, Roman Beau. Katlyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Kentucky, complemented by minors in International Business and Art Studio with a specialization in Sculpture. Beyond her work with Village Reach, she immerses herself in creating art, reading books, and enjoying the outdoors.
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Chase Collins
Chase, the Co-Founder of Village Reach, brings 15 years of international missions work experience to the table. With a travel history spanning over 40 countries, he has cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a profound commitment to community care. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications with a focus on Business, Chase dedicates his free time to capturing the world around him through his camera lens and cherishing moments with friends.
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Alyssa Roman
Alyssa, our Mission Communications Lead, brings a wealth of experience as a world traveler, having explored 30 countries before dedicating herself full-time to Village Reach and missionary work with Youth With A Mission in 2023. Her global perspective infuses our initiatives at Village Reach with depth and insight, evident in her transformative leadership of the Ambassador Program and the creation of our captivating newsletter series. With Alyssa's strategic vision and creative flair, our brand identity has soared, engaging audiences worldwide and amplifying our impact. Alyssa's dedication and innovation drive Village Reach forward, making a tangible difference in the lives of our dreamers and their villages around the globe.
If you're interested in donating as a private sponsor toward our operating and administrative expenses, please send an email to admin@villagereach.world or sponsor our employee at the link below.
The needs of the world are unlimited, but luckily, so are the ideas people have to meet them.
