Meet our team…
Julie Sorensen, Founder and president
At the heart of it all, I began this organization by simply doing my primary job: being a mom. In September 2015, I followed my daughter Hannah on a mission trip to Honduras and became a mom in my heart to a boy named Alex. Since then, we started Heart4Honduras: not just to serve one but many. By day, I am an art director, and by night, I live, eat, and breathe, helping vulnerable youth and families in Honduras. My hope is that through our work, we can provide a better future for this country that holds a piece of my heart.
Evan sorensen, vice president
Evan and I have known each other since grammar school when we met in Mrs. Caruso’s class in 4th grade. I had a crush on him then and still do to this day. We re-met in college in 1992, and the rest is history. He is the love of my life, but also someone I am so very proud to call my husband. Evan got his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Over the years, he has worked with Alzheimer patients, AIDS victims, foster and adopted children, and various familial relationships as a counselor, social worker, and director at several organizations. Currently, Evan owns his own practice called the New England Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy. This year, he is my husband of 30 years, my confidant, our family’s spiritual leader, and my best friend. Thanks for supporting me and keeping me sane and in line. Couldn’t/wouldn’t do this without you!
NE Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy
hannah sorensen, co-founder and secretary
Hannah is the heart behind Heart4Honduras and also our beautiful daughter. I would’ve never ventured to Honduras if it wasn’t for her desire and compassion to help others. At 18 months old, I remember her barely able to walk and talk, rushing over to help a boy who broke his arm in the neighborhood. She has an unwavering spirit of faith and a tenacious kindness for humanity. In her short life, she’s done missions in Honduras and Tanzania, shadowed doctors, and helped with numerous fundraisers, serving on their committees. Hannah graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Biomedical Science degree. Currently, she works as a Microbiology Technician at Portsmouth Regional Hospital and will be attending Physician Associate school in 2024. She never ceases to amaze me, and I continually grow as a better person being her mama. Thank you for all that you are to us on this journey!
Bethany Sargent, Medical Missions and Social Chair
Bethany is a quiet powerhouse who sits under the radar, suddenly comes out of nowhere, and is the brightest star in the sky! She has a strong head on her shoulders and a huge heart full of love. We’ve known Bethany for many years and have slowly grown closer through her passion for medicine and our mutual desire to help Honduras. She has her bachelor’s in Human Physiology and master’s in Medical Sciences from Boston University with plans to attend medical school. Currently, Bethany works at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as a Clinical Research Coordinator and owns Malama, a jewelry company whose proceeds help Heart4Honduras. She’s a hard-working, ambitious woman with a kind heart that brings inspiration to our organization. Thank you, Bethany, for joining us to make a world of difference!
Eli sorensen, treasurer
Eli is my wonderful son. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I saw a wise old soul observing, cautious, wondering who I was and what life would bring. He has been nothing short of an amazing person to raise and get to know. Eli graduated from the University of New Hampshire with an Environmental Engineer degree, working in his field for about a year before discovering his passion for technology sales. Now, he is a Customer Success Associate at Datadog in Boston, MA. During Eli’s time at UNH, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, participating in several of their fundraisers for pediatric cancer. To this day, Eli brings thoughtfulness and wisdom to our team. We are so blessed to have your support!
ernesto and fanny sorto, program directors
We met Ernesto at Cinnabon on our first trip to Honduras in 2015. He shared with us about his volunteer work in his father’s medical clinic, and we, in turn, shared about our work at the Senderos orphanage. Since then, God brought us together in wonderful ways to make H4H grow into what it is today. Ernesto and his wife, Fanny, are the driving force in making anything happen in our ministry. They procure living quarters, buy groceries, arrange medical assistance, navigate language barriers, and so much more. Ernesto and Fanny live in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, building a beautiful life built upon faith and family. Ernesto is full of fun, and musically talented, while Fanny has arms open, full of love and acceptance. Together, they have a heart for the Lord. Thank you both for always going above and beyond and being our hands and feet in Honduras!
Gerry and Miranda Mafera, worship leaders
Gerry and Miranda have been a part of our church family from youth into their adulthood. Through mission trips and our mutual love to continue to serve Honduras, God brought us all together! Here stateside, they serve the homeless and the youth at church, are leaders of Celebrate Recovery, and regularly lead others in worship. As a young married couple, they are a powerful combined force bringing the love of the Lord into this world. With much joy, we are so grateful you have officially joined our Heart4Honduras family!
Tish Casey, Marketing chair
Tish and I have been working together at Creative Co-op since 2007. 15+ years of sharing work and home life together have brought us to admire one another as business partners, moms, and good friends. She’s been intimately involved with knowing the journey I’ve been on in Honduras… from not wanting to even go, to missing it like crazy, to my first thoughts of supporting Alex, to hearing all of the troubles and successes, to now forming this next step as a nonprofit. I can’t thank her enough for all her love and support through it all. She even listens to my faith talk and inspirations, without thinking I’m totally insane… Tish is a wonderful asset to our team, has a brilliant mind for marketing, loves spreadsheets, and enjoys having fun in the process. Many thanks for her willingness to join and take this leap of faith with us!
anne and jim lombard, board members
Jim and Anne are family… I’ve known Anne my whole life; we grew up across the field from one another. She is the first person I ever remember talking to me about God. She’s my confidant, my sister in Christ, and my life-long friend. Anne married Jim 20+ years ago, and he instantly fell into step. They are avid hikers and have been on 2 mission trips together: (Kenya and Haiti); they have been blessed with three children, all adopted and all different shades of beautiful. I don’t think I have proper words to describe Anne and Jim, but they are nothing short of amazing people and parents. They both offer the heart and experience to help support our organization. Thanks for being you…