Profile of Courageous Leadership: Crimson Design Group
“I have to admit I’m a bit scared,” said Cheryl Stauffer, CEO and Principal of Crimson Design Group. It was late summer 2018, and the Columbus-based interior design company was preparing to host a gala event to raise funds to build a home for orphaned children in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
“Well, if you’re not scared, it doesn’t require courage” replied John McCollum, Executive Director of Asia’s Hope.
It’s a theme that John has emphasized throughout the planning and launch of this project, Asia’s Hope’s tenth home in Thailand, and 35th in its portfolio of charitable projects in Cambodia, Thailand and India.
“We see ourselves as guiding God's people into courageous leadership on behalf of the world's most vulnerable kids,” says John. “Cheryl and her husband Luis [Crimson Design Group Director of Relationship Management] are putting a lot on the line to make this project happen — not just their own money, but a significant amount of their personal and professional ‘social capital.’”
The event in November 2018 was a success, raising around $100,000 from clients, vendors, family and friends. Crimson Design Group contributed more than $60,000, exceeding the total capital funding goal of $150,000. Construction on the home began in February 2019 and was completed in early August.
In early September, the staff of Asia’s Hope Thailand dedicated the facility, which is now home to twenty formerly-orphaned hilltribe children, a full-time, live in mom and dad, two other residential caretakers and four staff children.
“These children were totally hopeless,” says Tutu Abourmad, Director of Asia’s Hope Thailand. “Like my own father, these children were orphans — they did not have enough food to eat, no clothing, no opportunity to get an education.”
John explains, “We work among ethnic minority ‘hilltribe’ orphaned children in Thailand. Their parents have died, or have abandoned them; some of them have parents serving long prison sentences. These kids live every day at risk of sexual and economic exploitation. When their extended family can no longer provide for them, someone is going to step in — it’s either going to be someone like Tutu, motivated by compassion, or it’s going to be someone looking to abuse or exploit them.”
According to John, family-style homes produce significantly better outcomes for vulnerable children than traditional “institutional orphanages.” “By providing these kids a permanent, stable home with full-time, live-in parents, we’re giving these kids the greatest gift: the opportunity to no longer be labeled or limited by their previous status as orphaned or abandoned children.”
“These two girls are so happy to be here,” says Tutu, referring to a photo of herself with a set of grinning, bright eyed, five-year-old twins. “They can’t stop asking questions. They want to know everything! But mostly they want to talk about the food: what they ate, what they are going to have for the next meal, what they want to eat next. Before they came to Asia’s Hope, they never had enough food, sometimes they almost starved. Their father died after many years of drug addiction, and their relatives could not continue to care for them. They will be safe and happy here.”
In addition to paying for construction, Crimson is also raising funds to cover the $4,500 monthly budget for the home’s operation. “So many people have joined us on this journey, and we’re inviting them — and others who want to participate — to help us with the ongoing expenses. We’ve been so blessed by the opportunity to rescue these beautiful kids and we want to share that blessing with others. We haven’t even met these kids face-to-face, but they already feel like they’re a part of our family.”
According to John, “Asia’s Hope is committed to providing every one of our 800-plus kids high-quality, family-style care.” He adds that the organization also offers each of the children who grow up at Asia’s Hope a full-ride university or vocational scholarship upon graduation from high school.
In early September, the staff of Asia’s Hope Thailand dedicated the facility, which is now home to twenty formerly-orphaned hilltribe children, a full-time, live in mom and dad, two other residential caretakers and four staff children.
“These children were totally hopeless,” says Tutu Abourmad, Director of Asia’s Hope Thailand. “Like my own father, these children were orphans — they did not have enough food to eat, no clothing, no opportunity to get an education.”
John McCollum explains, “We work among ethnic minority ‘hilltribe’ orphaned children in Thailand. Their parents have died, or have abandoned them; some of them have parents serving long prison sentences. These kids live every day at risk of sexual and economic exploitation. When their extended family can no longer provide for them, someone is going to step in — it’s either going to be someone like Tutu, motivated by compassion, or it’s going to be someone looking to abuse or exploit them.”
According to John, family-style homes produce significantly better outcomes for vulnerable children than traditional “institutional orphanages.” “By providing these kids a permanent, stable home with full-time, live-in parents, we’re giving these kids the greatest gift: the opportunity to no longer be labeled or limited by their previous status as orphaned or abandoned children.”
“These two girls are so happy to be here,” says Tutu, referring to a photo of herself with a set of grinning, bright eyed, five-year-old twins. “They can’t stop asking questions. They want to know everything! But mostly they want to talk about the food: what they ate, what they are going to have for the next meal, what they want to eat next. Before they came to Asia’s Hope, they never had enough food, sometimes they almost starved. Their father died after many years of drug addiction, and their relatives could not continue to care for them. They will be safe and happy here.”
In addition to paying for construction, Crimson is also raising funds to cover the $4,500 monthly budget for the home’s operation. “So many people have joined us on this journey, and we’re inviting them — and others who want to participate — to help us with the ongoing expenses. We’ve been so blessed by the opportunity to rescue these beautiful kids and we want to share that blessing with others. We haven’t even met these kids face-to-face, but they already feel like they’re a part of our family.”
According to John McCollum, “Asia’s Hope is committed to providing every one of our 800-plus kids high-quality, family-style care.” He adds that the organization also offers each of the children who grow up at Asia’s Hope a full-ride university or vocational scholarship upon graduation from high school.
Asia’s Hope Thailand director Tutu Abourmad reports that the children — many of whom were admitted to the home with their biological siblings — are adjusting well. Most have been enrolled in school, and all are enjoying the benefits of a new, loving family.
Crimson Design Group’s gala event helped raise the more than $150,000 needed to build the home for orphaned children in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
To learn more about Crimson Design Group, visit www.crimsondesigngroup.com. To find out how you can “lead courageously on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable kids,” visit www.asiashope.org or email roxi@asiashope.org today.