Most seventeen year old teenagers are focused on their senior year of high school. Not Erica Cale. Erica finished high school last December, a year and a half early, and is currently enrolled in online courses through Baker College so that she can continue to make trips to Honduras.
At the age of 15, Erica realized that her life’s purpose was to help families ‘in need? and she set an ambitious goal following her first visit to Honduras where saw many poverty stricken families.
She returned from that trip knowing that she wanted to ‘make a difference?. With the help of her mother, Nancy, Erica founded Helping Hearts Helping Hands, a non-profit organization, and immediately went to work to help Honduran families by collecting donated food, clothing and other necessities.
As a result of her leadership, fund-raising efforts and support from family, friends, the community, and the Clarkston United Methodist Church, Erica has made several trips to Honduras with ‘goodie bags? filled with nutritional American treats, vitamins and hygiene supplies. The organization has also raised money to ship a few crates, weighing over 1,000 lbs., filled with donated clothing, shoes, food, and used soccer uniforms and equipment.
The Helping Hearts Helping Hands Gala Ball, in March, raised $22,000. Finally, enough money was raised to accomplish Erica’s biggest dream of all ? purchase property and open an orphanage that provides proper nurturing, nourishment and medical care.
The two acres of property for the future orphanage has two houses and is located in Siguatepeque, a city in the center of the country, between the capital and the second largest city. The closest airport is approximately two hours away.
I smiled while listening to Erica’s enthusiasm as she described the property, ‘It’s in the mountains at a higher elevation and its different there from the rest of the country. The acreage is a mini-plantation with mangos, avocados, mandarin oranges, lemons, pears, bananas, pineapple, corn, and coffee.?
During her last visit, a host family was selected and moved in, carpet was removed, thorough cleaning began, the grass was cut, and the well was fixed.
She met with impoverished families, collected information, and started a sponsorship program for people within walking distance. Sponsorship provides food, water, education, bible study and vitamins for only $30/month. Supporters will receive letters and photos from the sponsored child.
When Erica shared with me the photos of children living in poverty, I felt inspired to become a sponsor. I’m looking forward to participating in the health and life of a baby girl who lives in a small home with her seventeen year old mother, two aunts and grandmother.
In addition to accomplishing ambitious goals and following her passion,
Erica excels in the field of modeling. She recently received 13,318 votes for a contest posted on www.exploremodeling.com and won the ‘popular vote? award.
Erica feels fortunate that she’s able to combine her interest in modeling with her life’s purpose of helping others. ‘Even more exciting than the award itself, was the fact that two people, who requested anonymity, pledged to donate $1 for each vote,? Erica expressed. The organization ‘won? a $26,000 donation.
As Eleanor Roosevelt stated, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.? Erica’s belief in her dreams has helped pave a future for impoverished families. And, her courage to follow her dreams has paved the way for others to participate.
If you’d like to participate, visit the organization’s website: www.helpingheartshelpinghands.org.
Michelle Phaup enjoys covering community news about people helping others. She is the founder of Lend A Helping Hand, a local non-profit organization that financially assists people with uninsured medical bills when faced with a catastrophic illness. Contact her via email: Michelle@LendAHelpingHand.org.

Katie Scheu found Erica Cale’s mission to help people facing poverty in Honduras and her presentation at the Clarkston Methodist Church about her organization, ‘Helping Heart Helping Hands,? so enthusing that she mentioned it to her teacher.
The timing was perfect. Kelly Bertin was seeking a community project for the six grade students of Sashabaw Middle School.
She first checked out the organization’s website and, ‘After seeing the website I was inspired and interested in helping the organization. I think the biggest plus is seeing Erica at her age (15) with a goal and a mission.
Erica gave a moving presentation to the students. They were attentive and saddened by the stories, yet hopeful and inspired as a result of the work she is doing.?
Erica captured the attention of the students by beginning her talk in Spanish. Her presentation, accompanied by photos of poverty and unsanitary living conditions inspired the children to action.
‘Since one of the most essential items needed by the Hondurans is shoes,? Erica pointed out, ‘we chose Flip Flops. They’re the easiest to carry in my luggage and distribute. Plus, the Flip Flops in Honduras are plain and cheaply made.?
Erica was pleased to discover e-mails from students within an hour of her presentation.
Many of the students thanked her and asked how they could help more, some had questions about her talk, and one insightful student asked Erica, ‘What did you think of yourself after your trip to Honduras versus before the trip??
For a couple of weeks, 129 students actively sought out donations. Numerous students donated their own money to buy Flip Flops.
Erica is currently in Honduras distributing the 224 pairs of flip flops collected by the students. She’ll continue to track the progress and provide photos of her visits at www.helpingheartshelpinghands.org.
During the next couple of months, local Clarkston businesses, such as, TCF Bank and Best Impressions Hair Salon will be collecting more flip flops to be taken on Erica’s next trip in July.
Helping Hearts Helping Hands in Honduras is a family based non-profit organization, founded in 2007. Changing the world, one child, one family, one face, one place’at a time! The purpose of this organization’s mission work is to change the life of poverty stricken children and families.
The organization provides immediate assistance by delivering food, fresh water, clothing, shoes, and vitamins, as well as, instruction on self-care, dental care, health and nutrition. Another goal is to help families establish businesses that will provide a source of income and help them to be self-sufficient.
For more information, email Erica at: america23@comcast.net.