Our Story

We are a 501(c)3, EIN # 26-2632203, approved in 2009 and licensed in the State of Washington.

The Apparent Project is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to…

Our focus is on our mission…

to “Build Future Leaders in Haiti,” to offer opportunities for the Haitians be able to provide for themselves and their families, empowering them to rise up out of poverty… to be able to keep their families together… to become productive members of their communities.

What we do reflects these goals.

We are focused on long term improvement in the lives of our Haitian friends.

And, our focus is not just limited to parents. We are working to make a difference for their children. With the opportunities offered, these kids can have a better starting point in life, with the education they need to advance to a new and better future, filled with hope and possibilities… not limited due to poverty.

We are “Building Future Leaders.”

Donate and become part of the solution

Our Story

2008 - The seeds are planted

In 2008, Shelley, the Apparent Project founder, and her husband moved to Haiti with their two biological children. This provided an opportunity for the child they were adopting to become part of their family right away.

They had accepted a job as house parents at an orphanage and were in charge of 25 boys aged 7 to 17. What they soon discovered was that all the boys had parents who loved them, but the parents didn’t have enough money to feed them.

The children were “poverty ” orphans

It was a shock to realize that these kids had parents, and sad to know that they were separated from family due to lack of money for food. The struggle began…. What can be done so that the parents have income? How much do they need? After the commitment at the orphanage was completed, Shelley pursued ways to provide income for women. A friend showed up with jewelry fixings. It was her hobby. Shelley asked her if she would show a few women how to make jewelry.

The AP Party Box Adventure Begins!

People with a pioneer spirit and a belief that parents should be able to keep their children wanted to help. Jewelry was produced, carried in luggage & distributed all over the States! In 2009, a business formed & grew exponentially after the 2010 earthquake! People were desperate to help a country that was so devastated. And Haitian artisans had a chance to become skilled at jewelry making.

Time Of Transition

Eventually, there was a need for a legal Haitian production company in order to provide consistent income for the Haitian artisans. In 2011, a production company was created. By the end of 2013, Shelley needed to focus full-time on production, so she resigned from Apparent Project. Marilyn Monaghan became the Director of Apparent Project. She had already been facilitating the distribution of Party Boxes & Fundraisers all over the USA since the end of 2010.

AP Childcare Established

In 2014, childcare became available for children who were at risk, providing a safe, nurturing environment for them while their parents were working.

AP Institute was created

In 2014, Pierre (one of the artisans) spent time in the States being mentored in various skills. When he returned, he taught Typing and basic English & Computer skills to about 50 managers working for the production company.

Since then, Apparent Project staff and other Haitian workers have benefited from our program.

We are looking for ways to expand our program by offering opportunities to other Haitians, and by offering other types of job related training.

AP School was established

After nurturing children for a couple years, the desire to continue their care increased. In 2016, desire became reality when the AP Preschool opened. The year was a success, and in 2017, we added our AP Kindergarten.

The goal is to grow with our AP children by adding a class to our school each year!

And… to provide quality education, along with character development based on Biblical principles! We are working to raise leaders who will be able to bring positive change to their world!

The Story Isn’t Finished Yet!

We don’t know all that God has in mind for Apparent Project but we know that He has good works prepared in advance for all of us!

He will reveal His plan as we continue to look to Him, and follow His lead!