Founded in 2012

Neighbors to Nicaragua’s primary work is in Nueva Esperanza, a barrio (whose name means “new hope”) in one of Nicaragua’s poorest areas just south of Granada.

DONATE TODAY
PLAN A FUNDRAISER

Who are we

Nicaragua is the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The heart of Neighbors to Nicaragua is the relationships we build in our day-to-day work. While we obviously strive – because we can – to connect the resources of the first-world to the third-world realities of those we serve, only some of our work is concrete: food, education, nutrition, vocational training and medical help. The best of what we do is simple human love: encouragement, belief in people’s potential, guidance and empowerment. Our best successes stem from acknowledging – and ultimately transcending – poverty by focusing on each person instead of each person’s circumstances. We are clear about this: Poverty doesn’t define a person. Keeping this at the forefront of our work, we deepen relationships and are richly nourished as a result.

Our team

A passionate and dedicated group of individuals united by a common purpose – making a positive impact on the world. Together, we form a cohesive force fueled by compassion and a shared commitment to creating a better tomorrow.

Chuck Selvaggio

Founder,
Executive Director

Maycól García

Director of
Nicaragua Operations

Isabel Duarte

Chef and
Maintenance Manager

Marvin Antonio
Aviles Rosales

Student Coordinator and Literacy Teacher

Amelia Isabel
Caraballo Arguello

Literacy and Remediation Teacher

Alba Jenny
Flores Carballo

Literacy and Remediation Teacher

Roberto José
Fonsceca Hernandez

Photographer, Tutor and Literacy Teacher

Fernando José
Gonzalez Andino

Security

David Eliezer
Gonzales Obando

Security

Justo Pastor
Gonzales Obando

Security

Claudia Marisol
Romero Sanchez

Assistant for Food Preparation and Maintenence

Board of Directors

Alison Warhol

Board Chairperson

Mike Keenan

Board Member

Michael Lucey

Board Member

Mary Jane Renzette

Board Member

Richard Root

Board Member

Rob Short

Board Member

Centro de Oportunidad

Centro de Oportunidad opened in 2018. It provides classes in literacy, English, and remediation.

Comedor Sandeep Panwalker

Our dining room, Comedor Sandeep Panwalker, provides a nutritious meal for 115 to 125 children in our barrio each day. The meals are prepared, cooked and served by our chef, Isabel Duarte and her assistant, Claudia Marisol Romero Sanchez.

Comedor Sandeep Panwalker

Our dining room, Comedor Sandeep Panwalker, provides a nutritious meal for 115 to 125 children in our barrio each day. The meals are prepared, cooked and served by our chef, Isabel Duarte and her assistant, Claudia Marisol Romero Sanchez.

Centro Vocacional de Matt Haley

Named after philanthropist Matthew James Haley, whose legacy has been an immense help and inspiration to Neighbors to Nicaragua, Centro Vocacional opened in 2022. It trains young people who seek to support themselves and their families by working independently in their homes or through employment in established businesses.

Casa de Esperanza

Neighbors to Nicaragua stands with disadvantaged adolescents who struggle to visualize hope. We work to help them redirect their lives and to realize their considerable gifts. Casa de Esperanza utilizes all the resources we have (food, education and vocational training) and supplements this by teaching life skills and offering counseling services.

COMING SOON

Casa de Esperanza

We began a campaign to raise $47,500 to build a second floor on our vocational center, called Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope). Neighbors to Nicaragua stands with disadvantaged adolescents who struggle to visualize hope. We work to help them redirect their lives and realize their considerable gifts. Casa de Esperanza will offer individualized programs using the resources we have (food, education and vocational training) and supplement this by teaching life skills and community service.