I first met sisters, Ashley Steiner and Courtney McGovern in 2024, when I photographed the Hope's In Style Fashion Show.  We hope you enjoy our interview and learning what Hope's In is all about. 

What inspired you to start Hope’s In while still in high school?

It was a combination of seeing real need in the world and realizing that age shouldn’t limit impact. As a high school student, there was this growing awareness that there were families, especially in places like Guatemala, facing challenges around housing, healthcare, and education that many of us never have to think about.  We were also incredibly supported from the very beginning.  Our community rallied around us, our family encouraged us every step of the way, and a mentor, Cindy Cowdrey, played a huge role in helping us bring our very first fundraiser, a fashion show, to life.

Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the idea for the organization?

Yes, it centered around an eight-year-old girl named Monica.  I met Monica and her family while serving in Guatemala.  They were living in a tiny tin shack with a dirt floor, a leaking roof, and conditions that just were not safe, including flooding when it rained and even rat bites at night. We formed a relationship and she did not feel like a statistic, she felt like a little sister. When I came home and learned that her older sister was pregnant, it hit me deeply. I kept thinking about what that baby’s life would look like if nothing changed, growing up in the same unsafe environment and facing the same challenges. It became clear that we could not just witness that kind of need, we had to respond to it. We gathered our friends, used our gifts, and created our first fundraiser to raise money to build a home for Monica’s family. What started as a response to one family’s story ultimately grew into Hope’s In. 

What were the biggest challenges you faced in launching a nonprofit as teenagers?

We thought that Hope’s In Style would just be a one-off fundraiser to empower Monica and her family. However, our mission grew in the hearts of so many volunteers! At times, it was challenging to have the confidence to step into the role of leading a nonprofit, balance doing well in school while participating in other extracurricular activities.

How has Hope’s In evolved over the years?

Hope’s In started as a small idea in high school, inspired by a desire to help families like Monica’s in Guatemala. At first, there were just a few friends and family coming together to organize our first fundraiser, a fashion show to raise money for a home. From there, it quickly grew into a student-led organization with a mission to empower young people to take action and create lasting impact. Over the years, we have expanded in a few ways.

How have your roles personally changed as the organization has grown?

Over the years our roles have changed tremendously. From starting as students running the nonprofit, we’ve made our mission a full-time job. Between the two of us, we are able to work as directors managing the five different programs we operate year-round. As we’ve gotten older, we’ve shifted our responsibilities due to our growing families. We are both still fully committed to Hope’s In’s mission and have the privilege now of working alongside Guatemalan leaders. We have two full time staff members in Guatemala so leaning into their experiences and expertise has been wonderful too!

What systems or partnerships helped you move from a student project to a sustainable charity?

We had amazing mentorship and support from the Barrington Area Development Council early on! We also had an amazing board that gave so much of their time and talent to help us launch.

What is it like to see a family move into a home you helped build?

It is honestly one of the most powerful and humble experiences. Seeing a family walk into a home that you helped build is more than just seeing a physical structure; it’s witnessing hope, safety, and dignity come to life. What makes it even more meaningful is knowing that the impact is lasting. And for the students and people who helped fundraise and build the home, it is an incredibly emotional experience

What advice would you give to other teens who want to make a difference?

AS: Go for it! Even if you start with a small change you want to see happen, everything makes a difference! There are so many people too who are willing to help you with this! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

CM: The best way to start your journey as a humanitarian leader is to start giving your time and talent to an NGO you love and respect! Volunteering is such a gift for everybody involved.

How does Hope’s In involve other young people in service or leadership?

Hope’s In is led by me and my co-founder, but the work we do throughout the year is powered by young people through our student ambassador program. Our ambassadors are student leaders from high schools like Prairie Ridge, Barrington, and St. Viator. These students help fundraise in their communities, raise awareness, and even help organize one of our largest annual fundraisers, Hope’s In Style. Beyond fundraising, our ambassadors and their families and friends have the opportunity to participate in our service learning trips to Guatemala. Some students take on the challenge of raising enough funds to build an entire home, which costs around $7,500. In doing so, they not only make a real, tangible impact on the families they serve but also gain valuable leadership experience, learn teamwork, and develop a sense of global citizenship.

What role has mentorship played in your journey, and do you see yourselves as mentors now?

Starting the nonprofit young resulted in many mentors to us! We are so grateful for all of the more experienced nonprofit leaders who helped us through our journey of becoming a 501(c)3. Additionally, our parents and other adults who had fundraising experience really helped us in the early years develop a strategy for sustaining our work in Guatemala and the US. Now, leading students in the Chicagoland area and Florida area, we find ourselves doing our best to come alongside students to help them pursue service! We love to answer questions, fuel their initiatives, and keep them dreaming on how to serve others.

Where do you see Hope’s In in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years we see Hope’s In growing even bigger. We see our work servicing more women and young girls through our Fortaleza program in Guatemala City. We see our Young Adult INterns and INternships in the US helping more students become humanitarians. We plan to continue helping others both in Guatemala and the US and providing local families the opportunity to give back.

Do you have additional fundraisers?

Our other two fundraisers include our fall whiskey tasting in Chicago, and a golf invitational in Amelia Island, Florida.

How can people support or get involved with your mission today?

This is our 15th annual fashion show which will be taking place on Sunday, May 3rd at Avante Banquets. In honor of Mother’s Day, our theme this year is “she wore it first”, with mother-daughter duos walking the runway as well as student pairs with vintage inspired looks! To support you can join us at our event or participate in our silent auction online which is open now! Items range from a signed Taylor Swift collage to a 5 night stay in Waikiki.

Information about the event and to start bidding can be found here: https://app.betterunite.com/HopesIn-hopesinstyle2025

Are there new initiatives or ideas you're excited about exploring?

We’re excited about our student projects we have planned to launch this year. We hope to have our student interns lead these and use their own dreams to help make positive changes for not only the families we serve in Guatemala, but also our local communities. Additionally, we are super excited to hopefully expand our headquarters in Guatemala City. Currently our two staff run our Fortaleza program to empower over 20 young women and teenage mothers in a small office. We hope to rent a bigger space to provide them with a more comfortable, dignified environment!

What’s one thing you’ve learned from the families in Guatemala that you’ll never forget?

AS: One thing I’ve seen year after year that stays with me is how hardworking the families are. From the parents to the children, they all pitch in to help build their new home while doing everything else needed in their lives.

CM: The resilience and strength of a family unit. We have seen families overcome such challenges together and support each other in ways that are so inspiring!

Burst Mode:

When you are back in Barrington, where do you like to eat?

AS: Ciao Baby

CM: Ciao Baby and Shakou

Dressed up or dressed casually?

AS: dressed casually

CM: Always casual these days with two little ones!

Favorite place to vacation?

AS: Paris

CM: Anywhere with my family!

Favorite road trip must-haves?

AS: a good playlist, iced coffee, and a sweet snack

CM: Iced coffee, potato chips, good company!

Best gift to receive?

AS: Flowers

CM: Chocolate

To learn more about the Hope's In Style fashion show, please visit https://app.betterunite.com/HopesIn-hopesinstyle2025