Rebuilding dreams through sanitation: a HOPE supporter’s story

A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Anthony Barton has always had a keen eye for unmet needs. As a child, he trudged up and down sandy beaches in Malibu selling ice cream to hungry surfers. In college, he noticed the mess generated by fraternity parties on campus and started a business cleaning up the trash left behind. After graduation, he noticed that a lot of bars and restaurants could also use a good cleaning. Knowing he had the experience to do something about it, Anthony launched his first wildly successful cleaning business—the A Specialist.

Several years ago, Anthony and his wife, Yolanda, sold the A Specialist and together launched a new cleaning business called SAFE Kitchens, with the goal of “creating a culture within commercial kitchens that is as risk and worry-free as humanly possible.”

Then COVID-19 struck, and 95% of their business evaporated as their clients in food services, aviation, and film shut their doors.

In a moment when most would panic, Anthony and Yolanda chose to pivot. They quickly rebranded their business from SAFE Kitchens to SAFE Companies, with the goal of providing companies struggling to navigate the pandemic the peace of mind afforded by a clean, sanitized space. This has put them on the front lines of the pandemic, working to prevent disease before it happens.

Anthony (fourth from right) and Yolanda (fourth from left) with the Children of the Nations team in Malawi.

As Anthony and Yolanda examined the needs in their company and community, they also thought about those living in poverty around the world. Anthony and his team hope to bring hygiene and safety protocols to people living in lower- and middle-income countries as a way of preventing the spread of diseases like COVID-19. They are committed to training nonprofits like HOPE in best cleaning practices and are working to provide free trainings for churches and nonprofits. As Anthony shared,

In the wake of the pandemic, companies, churches, and nonprofits have to be able to show what they’re doing to keep their employees, customers, and congregants safe.

They also give a portion of their profits to HOPE, funding even more global entrepreneurs who, just like them, want to get back to work.

In this midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local leaders and business owners around the world are helping their communities survive. Your support will allow us to extend grace to entrepreneurs in crisis, creatively support savings groups and church partners, and cover financial losses so our field programs can remain open—and come back stronger to serve families in the months and years to come. Join us!