Inside a welcoming house, a dining table transforms into a creative workspace for Shine of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering children with autism and other disabilities. Fresh flowers, trays of homemade cookies, carefully crafted candles, and seasonal ornaments cover the table as the children work with focus and pride. What may look like simple items to make represent dedication, patience, and growth.
Shine of Hope provides opportunities for children of all abilities to develop confidence, independence, and teamwork skills. Through seasonal fundraisers, the flower arrangements, cookies, candles, and ornaments are sold to support Illumine School of Miami. Located in Doral, this school specializes in individualized education for students with special needs and local families in need. Its mission is, “Providing a Christ-centered education that equips students with differing abilities to reach their full potential—spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally — by building compassionate relationships and providing individualized instruction and purposeful learning in small, supportive classrooms within a small college setting.”
For parent volunteer Ms. Alexandra Hormaza, whose child Sabrina Bustos has autism, the impact has been powerful.
“I’ve seen Sabrina become more confident with every event,” she said. “She feels capable and proud of what she creates.”
Volunteer Mr. JP Saenz, who has epilepsy, delivered the finished products throughout the community, ensuring each order reached its destination.
“Delivering for Shine of Hope made me feel responsible and important,” he shared.
Across the table, Ms. Laura Zapata watches her son, Luca, get ready to deliver the items, while nearby, Sofia Estefan, a child with autism, focuses on decorating handmade ornaments.
Sofia smiles as she works and explains, “I like making ornaments because they make people happy.”
Through flowers that brighten rooms, cookies that bring comfort, candles that add warmth, and ornaments that celebrate the seasons, Shine of Hope continues to uplift both the children involved and the community they serve, proving that every ability truly shines.
