Fundacion IMPAK

Fundación IMPAK is a nonprofit organization based in Quito, Ecuador, dedicated to improving the quality of life of vulnerable children and families through integrated programs focused on education, nutrition, family development, and socio-emotional wellbeing. The organization was born from the social responsibility commitment of Grupo INNOVU and the International Scholastic Model (ISM), which for over 19 years have supported the project “Escuela Básica Letra Para Todos,” now consolidated as Fundación IMPAK.

Since its inception, IMPAK has worked primarily in the Calderón sector of Quito, an area characterized by significant social and economic challenges. The organization’s flagship initiative, the Escuela Letra Para Todos, operates on the ISM Campus North and provides free, dignified, and high-quality education to approximately 180 children between the ages of 4 and 12, covering levels from Nursery through 7th grade of basic education. The school is supported by a committed multidisciplinary team that includes qualified teachers, a school coordinator, a psychologist from the DECE department, administrative staff, and social work professionals who accompany both students and their families.

Fundación IMPAK’s mission is to transform lives sustainably through educational, economic, and social programs that promote the comprehensive development of vulnerable families, supported by a committed team, strategic alliances, and efficient resource management. Its vision for 2030 is to become a local reference in the transformation and empowerment of vulnerable families through education, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing, generating opportunities that promote equity and improve quality of life.

In addition to education, IMPAK addresses essential needs through complementary programs. The “Pancitas Llenas, Mentes Activas” program focuses on guaranteeing access to adequate nutrition as a fundamental right for children and their families. Through a strategic alliance with the Quito Food Bank (Banco de Alimentos de Quito), the organization provides approximately 35,000 nutritious snacks per school year to students of the Escuela Letra Para Todos, as well as 1,440 food kits annually to their families, contributing to food security and improved learning conditions. It is important to emphasize that we must cover the monthly fee with our resources.

The “Manos en Acción” program promotes economic autonomy for parents and caregivers, particularly mothers, by supporting family-based entrepreneurship initiatives. Through training, production, and commercialization activities, families generate additional income to strengthen their household economy. Initiatives include the production and sale of seasonal products such as Christmas goods, confectionery packaging, dehydrated fruits, and the provision of services and products for school events and community fairs. This program reinforces the belief that strengthening families directly contributes to the wellbeing and development of children.

Another key initiative is “Superhéroes del Cambio,” a sponsorship and volunteering program that promotes social participation and shared responsibility. Through this program, individuals, families, and corporate partners are connected with children from the Escuela Letra Para Todos to provide emotional support, positive role models, and, when possible, financial assistance. The program currently includes a network of committed sponsors and volunteers who organize regular activities aimed at strengthening emotional bonds, self-esteem, and life aspirations. Fundación IMPAK also maintains an institutional sponsorship alliance with a corporate partner, ensuring sustained support for children and their families throughout each school year.

Another emerging strategic initiative is the TECHO + IMPAK + ISM Alliance, a collaborative program aimed at improving housing conditions for families living in extreme poverty within IMPAK’s community. Through this partnership, Fundación IMPAK, TECHO Ecuador, and the International Scholastic Model (ISM) work together to design and implement projects focused on the construction, improvement, or expansion of dignified emergency housing, along with complementary community interventions.

TECHO is an internationally recognized organization for its innovative housing model and for mobilizing thousands of young volunteers across Latin America. Its work has been recognized by ONU-HABITAT, the Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and is currently implemented in 19 countries in the region.

As a first pilot experience, the alliance will begin with the Pozo Arpí case, with the objective of validating the cooperation model and later replicating it to benefit other vulnerable families identified by Fundación IMPAK. This initiative strengthens IMPAK’s holistic approach to community development by incorporating access to dignified housing as a key component of family wellbeing.

Fundación IMPAK’s work aligns with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Looking ahead, Fundación IMPAK aims to strengthen and scale its existing programs, deepen community engagement, expand strategic alliances with the private and public sectors, and enhance its monitoring and evaluation systems to maximize impact. Through these efforts, the organization seeks to continue building sustainable pathways for children and families to exercise their rights, develop their potential, and create a more equitable future.