Our Mission

It is our mission to unite as a community to exude compassion and encouragement by delivering care packages to those in need.

We believe that authentic service is rooted in gratitude, so we give out of our thankfulness.

We believe in kindness, so we strive to foster a sense of comfort, hope and inspiration for our volunteers and those we serve in everything we do.

We believe in the power of community, and that serving together in unity is
​the best way to serve.

Get To Know Our Team 

Carolyn Litton (pictured second left) is a visionary leader, speaker, and spiritual mindset coach dedicated to empowering others to create lives of purpose and fulfillment. As the founder of Hearts for Hope, established in January 2019, Carolyn and her team have delivered over 9,000 care packs to the homeless, reflecting her deep commitment to service and community. She is the creator of The Vision Project, a transformative framework designed to help individuals align with their authentic selves, harness their inner power, and achieve their dreams. With a passion for fostering a world that is loving, inspiring, and connected, Carolyn combines her expertise in mindset coaching with her values of authenticity and service to inspire others to live boldly and thrive.​

Aileen Farooqui (pictured middle) graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2000  and worked at Abbott Laboratories where she conducted research in oncology genetics early in her career. She transitioned to the family health care business in 2004 and her newest venture is  joining the Litton Loan Group at First Centennial Mortgage.  She is happy to make the change and start a new beginning. Aileen is grateful for being with her husband, Rizwan, and has 2 beautiful daughters. She is honored and blessed to have the opportunity to be part of a wonderful charity with the goal of bringing the community together and helping the less fortunate.
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Rick Litton (pictured far right) received his degree from Northern Illinois University in 1992 and has been working in the mortgage industry as a loan officer for over 20 years. If he's not out with friends and family in his free time, you can probably find him on a golf course working on his game. For Rick, spending time volunteering with Hearts For Hope has been an amazing and fulfilling experience and he looks forward to outstanding growth for the organization in the future!

 Terry Smith (Pictured far left) owned and operated a transportation/logistics company for 20 years before changing careers in 2003. He is currently a Real Estate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway, and throughout both careers had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in Chicago where he witnessed the plight of the homeless first hand. Terry jumped at the chance to help make a difference in people's lives by serving as a volunteer board member for Hearts For Hope. He is a proud father of 3 children and 9 grandchildren, Whom he loves to watch grow up.

 Theresa Schultz (Pictured second right) graduated from University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, with a degree in Marketing. She spent her career in sales and marketing, and has been the  Arlington Heights Community Coordinator for Healthy Kids Running Series since 2016. Theresa finds her active community involvement to be a highly rewarding experience. She is a member of the Arlington Heights Park District-Parks Foundation, as well as the secretary for Hearts for Hope. She lives in Arlington Heights with her husband and two wonderful daughters. 

Our Volunteers

We couldn't do what we do without the dedicated time of our amazing and generous volunteers. We're always looking for help, so use the form below to send us an email if you would like to help us share compassion with others by either packing donations at one of our Packing Parties, or by delivering them to the homeless on one of our Delivery Days.​   A hand-written note of encouragement is included in every bag,  and we welcome any volunteers to write notes either on-site or from the comfort of your own home!     Thank you!

Our Organization

Hearts for Hope is a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and is completely
​run by volunteers, so all donations go directly to help the homeless!