Luminarias

We empower girls to re-imagine their futures and become the women they aspire to be.

Luminarias is a non-profit agency dedicated to helping indigenous girls in Guatemala improve their lives through education, youth development, and community outreach.

08/11/2026

Remembering Papa Hugh

One year ago Wednesday, (August 12) we lost Papa Hugh.

To the world, he was Hugh McElroy, founder of Luminarias and lifelong advocate for education and human dignity. To our Luminarias girls, he was simply Papa: the man who ate dinner with them, helped them with homework, and told them they were worth more than they had ever imagined.

Luminarias began with 15 girls in a rented house. Hugh oversaw the renovations, hired the first staff, and built the curriculum. He believed in the power of presence, listening, and encouragement.

In a 2018 interview, he said: “There is no greater joy than witnessing transformation—especially in those the world so often overlooks. If I can be part of even one girl’s journey to discovering her worth, then my life has meant something.”

Since then, dozens of girls have come through our doors. Luminarias continues Hugh’s work through safe housing, education, youth development, faith formation, and career preparation. His light shines on.

If Papa Hugh touched your life, we’d love to hear about it. Share a memory in the comments.

08/09/2026

Luminarias is a faith based non-profit organization dedicated to helping adolescent Guatemalan girls break the cycle of poverty through housing, education, youth development and community outreach. We empower girls to re-imagine their futures and become the women they aspire to be.

Luminarias in Spanish means "illumination", supplying or brightening with light, and to enlighten spiritually or intellectually.

An investment in young women is an investment in nation building. The Luminarias project is an important concrete step in the empowerment of young women in Guatemala.

By keeping enrollment to a minimum, we value quality over quantity as each girl gets one-on-one attention. At Luminarias, we’re on a mission to equip Guatemalan girls to shine their light. These young women will light a path for others to follow… changing lives for generations.

08/08/2026

Hugh McElroy made his first trip to Guatemala in 2001, shortly after his retirement with the multinational conglomerate, 3M, in Minnesota. He would continue traveling between the U.S. and Guatemala for the next 23 years as he established Casa Luminarias in San Lucas Sacatepéquez, a city of 21,000 people located ten miles from the capital, Guatemala City.

Hugh took a deep and profound interest in developing positive character traits among the children of the orphanage. He was intentional in having messages that encouraged integrity, honor, earnestness, kindness, compassion, hard work, determination, and faith.

The program’s success and effectiveness eventually grew to the point that a home was built to provide a setting for all activities and services. Between 2018 and 2019, a new building was constructed in the same neighborhood - Jardines De San Lucas 4. The facility itself is 23,000 square feet and includes two levels, complete with outdoor and indoor recreation areas, meeting rooms, cooking areas and living rooms.

08/06/2026

Guatemala is a land of breathtaking beauty, rich Indigenous heritage, and resilient people. Yet behind its volcanoes and vibrant culture lies a difficult reality. More than half the population lives in poverty, and among Indigenous communities that number rises to 75%. Many children leave school early because their families cannot afford education or need them to work. For girls, the challenges are even greater—early school dropout, teenage pregnancy, gender inequality, and violence often limit their futures before they begin. Through education, safe housing, and personal development, Luminarias is helping young women break these cycles and build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and Guatemala.

08/05/2026

We exist to help impoverished adolescent Guatemalan girls expand their opportunities. With the support of their parent(s), we empower girls to re-imagine their futures and become the women they aspire to be. We fulfill our mission by providing safe and stable housing, education in private schools, and career exploration. This is augmented by providing music and the arts, recreation and socialization alongside personal development and support.

08/03/2026

History Rewind!

In January, board members Anne and Evelyn spent a week at Casa Luminarias.

They closed their visit with a goodbye party—music, dancing, and a room full of people who had become friends. Check out one of our favorite moments—when Anne and Evelyn joined the Luminarias girls on the dance floor.

08/02/2026

Delivery of Supplies

Rosy’s sister recently blessed us with a carload of groceries for our girls to share!

We are so grateful to her, and to the families of all our Luminarias girls, who go out of their way to support not just their own girls, but our whole community. Our work is a partnership, and we couldn’t do it without them!

To our families: thank you for your love, care, and generosity!

08/01/2026

Flashback Friday!

In January, board members Anne and Evelyn traveled to Casa Luminarias and visited the weavers of Ojer Caibal in the Guatemalan highlands.

The women of this community dedicate countless hours to weaving, a tradition passed down through generations and, for many, their main source of income. Each textile carries a story: of perseverance, identity, and the quiet strength that sustains their families.

The women welcomed Anne and Evelyn into their homes and shared not only their work, but also the meaning behind it. Through their hands and their art, they communicate their history, their challenges, and their hopes for the future. Watching them explain their weaving process and seeing Anne wearing a huipil, the handwoven blouse of the region, was a reminder of the deep cultural richness that exists within the communities our girls come from.

These are the moments that cannot be captured in numbers. They reveal the dignity, creativity, and resilience that define these families—and reinforce why educational opportunities for their daughters are so essential.

To learn more about our mission at Luminarias, visit: luminariasproject.com

07/31/2026

Friendships

"When my mom dropped me off, I felt this emptiness in my heart, and I just started crying. The other girls hugged me so warmly that it felt like my mom."

That's how Evelyn remembers her first day at Casa Luminarias. For every girl who joins us, the journey begins with a goodbye as she leaves home, family, and community in pursuit of an education.

But none of them are alone. From day one, each new girl is surrounded by young women who understand exactly what she's given up, and who become a second family.

These are friendships that last long after graduation.

Want to walk alongside these girls? Learn how to support our program at luminariasproject.com.

07/30/2026

Devotions With Rosy

Rosy has faithfully led our girls in devotionals year after year, meeting them as a friend and mentor, and walking alongside them as they grow.

At Luminarias, we are so thankful for volunteers like Rosy, who give their time and talents to bless our girls.

Rosy, thank you for your kindness, patience, and love. You are a shining role model, and we are so grateful you are a part of our program!

Drop a note of encouragement for Rosy in the comments!

Address

P. O. Box 40434
Saint Paul, MN
55104

Website

http://luminariasproject.com/

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