By Victoria Green
In October of 2014, after having worked at Food For The Poor for just under three years, Natalie Hurtubise joined FFP’s Projects department as the Project Manager for Guatemala and El Salvador.
“This has been my goal since I started at FFP. This is actually my dream job,” says Natalie.
She had previously worked in both Donor Services and Church and School, and most recently in the Angels of Hope department as an International Field Manager.
Her current role in Projects requires a good deal of travel; she has taken three trips in the past few months. Natalie sees her role as a way to help give those in need new hope and a new life.
“It’s really special to see people who don’t have anything, who don’t even have hope, to talk to them and see what their needs are, and with the help of our donors, change their circumstances and transform their lives.”
Once those needs have been fulfilled, Natalie says, “The people are very thankful. They’re very appreciative.”
As a Project Manager, Natalie works with partner organizations in Guatemala and El Salvador to evaluate the needs of the poor. She executes community development and self-sustaining projects, including building homes, goat farms, and potable water projects. She then assesses the completed projects to ensure their continuous success.
Natalie also travels with donors on Mission trips, to help them experience first-hand the need in the countries we serve, and so they can meet the people their contributions have helped, and see the communities Food For The Poor strengthens.
In fact, Natalie notes that community and faith are very important to her, both in the field and at home in our Florida office.
“One of the things that really helps me to do my job is the prayer time we have every day at work,” she says. “That helps keep me motivated and focused on why we’re doing this and what’s important.”
