There is power in allowing someone to write their own story. It creates hope that transforms. It gives individuals the ability to take their life by the reins and inspired others to do the same. Love, Light + Melody empowers vulnerable children around the world to create their own journey and have hope for their future. We were founded in 2007 after Brad Corrigan traveled to La Chureca, Nicaragua, where he witnessed many children and families living in a trash dump, making impossible choices to stay alive. But he encountered hope when he met a young girl named Ileana, riding on a bike she found, smiling. In spite of her circumstances, she radiated compassion and joy. She and her brothers and sisters were a bright light in a dark place, showing courage and beauty like nothing he’d seen before. After years of making trips back to La Chureca, Brad started Love, Light + Melody to be a force for good in their lives. To create safe spaces and opportunities for these children through education, music, art, and sports. To fill them with hope for their future and allow them to learn and thrive. Since then, we have built a global community of supporters and partners to fund Ileana’s School of Hope, an elementary school in Nicaragua’s Villa Guadalupe community that serves children who have lived in the La Chureca trash dump. The school was named to honor the life of Ileana, who contracted HIV and passed away in 2011. She inspired the creation of our organization and will continue to light the way forward, as we grow to reach communities beyond those in Nicaragua. So that many children around the world can take their own story in their hands and amplify it for all to hear.