Juelle Wilkins, Executive Director

Juelle and Donovan dreamed that one day they would be able to use their extensive experience as “travel guides’ and their love of cultures to bring people from around the world together in peace and understanding. With great vision they created the Blue Star of Hope with the hope that “one person can make a difference in the world”. The Power of One is the program that launched the mission.

Juelle started her career in Special Education, as a teacher and later a principle for a cutting edge school designed to assist developmentally disabled youth of all abilities. She single handedly started the Special Olympics program in Southern Michigan and saw it become a successful program. Always a fan of conservation, she bought a farm to raise her little girl, train horses, keep goats and grow an enormous garden. She always wanted to travel, and saw herself out in the world doing the service work that she seemed so destined to do. She met Donovan on Thanksgiving Day and knew that she had found her partner, soul mate, fellow traveler and service worker and the man who would be her daughter’s father. Juelle and Donovan have always been entrepreneurs, starting several businesses over the years. J & D continue to take adult groups on pilgrimages, but their true calling is the work of the Power of One Program. They are constantly growing and developing new sites, bringing on inspiring staff members and constantly being ambassadors in this ever changing world.

Donovan Wilkins, Director of Operations

Donovan and Juelle have been married for over 30 years and during that time they have traveled the world to places few have seen and experienced countries as few have done. For years they have taken adult groups to many foreign destinations. Donovan is instrumental in the planning and execution of these intensive journeys. It was on these fabulous trips that Donovan and Juelle began to dream about the Power of One Program.

As the Director of Operations for the Blue Star of Hope he is absolutely invaluable in ensuring the safety and security of the participants, communicating constantly with tour operators and continually problem solving to make the Power of One Program a safe, exciting and seamless adventure.

Kru Lek, Lead Thai Teacher and Student Advocate

Kru Lek has been teaching at Thapsakae Wittaya school for nearly 30 years. Her dedication to her students goes beyond her duties at school. She does everything within her power to help each of her students to a better future for themselves and their families. She loves the power of one program and appreciates the benefits of the program for her students. She helps everyone in the program by explaining in perfect English the Thai culture and the Thai way. She an invaluable asset to this program and has been involved since the beginning giving her an intimate knowing of the inner workings of the Power of One.

Hanan Bentley, Director of Education and Student Relations

Hanan was raised internationally, growing up in Kuwait and living in England, France and Canada. She comes from a multi-cultural family and thus has a personal investment in the mission of the Power of One Project. Hanan holds degrees in Communications and Women’s Studies and a Master’s Degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction. She began her career in education at the first charter school in Denver. She has since broadened her career spectrum as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. She and her husband started a business geared toward the elderly and disabled; developing products to ensure quality of life and independence.

Hanan has also started a thriving after school Tutoring Company. Hanan and her husband met Donovan and Juelle in 2008 when they took their teenage daughter on the Thailand Program. The Power of One is a perfect fit for Hanan’s dedication to service, conservation, global awareness and education. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, three beautiful girls and many critters!

Christian Wilkins, Director of Public Relations and Mentor Relations

Christian grew up in the U.S. and in Costa Rica. She travelled worldwide with her parents, who instilled the travel bug in her. After completing a degree in Psychology, Christian began a career in Human Services; working as a Program Manager for both developmentally disabled adults and teens and later with the geriatric community in nursing facilities. Having also inherited the entrepreneurial spirit from her family, she left Human Services to begin an Event Planning Company.

Her company donates services to several non-profit organizations by planning and executing their fund raising events. Christian considers it a blessing to be able to work and travel with her inspirational parents. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and two kitties.

Our Mission Statement

We live in a rapidly changing world, one that demands creative and innovative solutions for building a sustainable quality of life, education, and economic prosperity for all people and creatures. The programs created by Blue Star of Hope serve that purpose.

Our programs foster global understanding and compassion, celebrate cross-cultural similarities and diversities, and promote a consciousness of peace and empowerment while supporting economic prosperity, social progress and ecological integrity for all of Earth’s inhabitants. By inviting youth to participate in this process, we lay the foundation for Peace in our future.

Through interactive educational experiences, Blue Star of Hope encourages children and adults to become socially conscious participants in global collaboration projects. Student ambassadors are selected from all over the world, representing many nations, races and religions. By living and working together, in service to local villages and peoples, the student ambassadors will research, craft and participate in possible solutions to local and global issues. These experiences will prepare and empower the students for future employment and their rightful place in this world as future leaders.

As we work together, our International students realize that all nations are a part of one world family and that they are the new thinkers in today’s global community.

-Juelle & Donovan, Founders