Author: Chris Amo

Her Dream

 

A castle, horses to ride, a small beautiful garden space . . . . All of these things and much more have been in her dreams for MANY years!  During difficult times she has continued to believe that dreams can come true.

[singlepic id=97 w=320 h=240 float=right]It was my delight and pleasure to go with Yolanda Sanchez, founder and executive director of Pasitos de Luz, this past week to the construction site of her dream castle.

“The huge physical therapy room will be here, the kitchen and dining rooms there, the small private space for medical evaluations over there, and three therapy pools for exercises will be in that space that’s being framed in now . . .  .  and just beyond the large garden spaces for outside picnics will be the horses that will delight the children,” she reported to me as she literally danced around the new spaces taking shape very rapidly thanks to some generous donations.

Continue reading “Her Dream”

Posadas Maravillosos

DSC06286The Mexican tradition of coming together at the “posada”/ inn or shelter for a celebration during the holiday season was enjoyed by the children at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) and at Pasitos de Luz this past week.  Hotel Marival in Nuevo Vallarta sponsored and participated in a magnificent fiesta.  The staff brought EVERYTHING (including tables and chairs for the children and guests) and spent the evening mesmerizing the children with entertainment complete with Disney characters, serving tamales and other tasty treats to everyone, and then giving gifts of new shoes and clothes to each special child at the shelter.  After the piñatas the children finally wandered off to bed with “visions of sugarplums,” candy and loving friends “dancing in their heads.”

At Pasitos de Luz, the daycare center in Puerto Vallarta for children with severe handicapping conditions, the children also received special gifts, ate cake, and shared lots of love as they gathered with the staff, friends, and family members to wish one and all a FELIZ NAVIDAD!

If you’ll be visting Puerto Vallarta during the holiday and are interested in attending their Posada please contact us.

AND to all of you a Próspero Nuevo Año 2012 as well.

To Everything There Is a Season

The shift of seasons during the past few months has brought much more that just changes in the weather for our foundation and our projects in Mexico.  After many years of guidance and devotion from Juan Carlos Rios and Sol Martinez Maciel, a new council was appointed in late August to oversee the operation of Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE).  The new council is anxious to be more directly involved in fundraising and is planning for new changes at that facility now.  This has allowed us at Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation to begin looking at new projects which expand our support for children and families.

We have also made some changes on the Board of Directors for our US foundation.   Mary Cashman, who had joined our board as Treasurer in February, will be focusing her efforts on the work of the new council at RISE and is no longer a part of our US board.  In addition, after many years of trying to cover the needs and demands of both the US and Canadian foundation boards together, Anne-Marie and Chris have decided to pull back some and concentrate more on our individual board efforts and fundraising.  Therefore this newsletter and other communications will no longer include activities and issues related to the Canadian Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation.  If you would rather be only on their mailing list, please let us know right away and we will gladly honor your request.  We hope that our newsletters continue to provide a personal connection to the children for those who have not had the opportunity to visit or volunteer at one of our projects.

One other result of these changes is that we have a new address for sending your generous donations.  Effective immediately, all contributions should be sent to our address.  Please include your email address so that we can send you the tax receipt quickly and efficiently. 

Meet Our Newest Miracle Worker – Bety


IMG00072-20110718-1611 This spring yet another miracle occurred at the Refugio when Bety, a bright, enthusiastic psychologist arrived looking for work.  She is EXACTLY what we have needed to help the children work through emotional scars and issues and has been a PERFECT addition to our staff at RISE.

Beatiz (Bety) was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco has 3 brothers; one living in Guadalajara and 2 others living in San Francisco with their families and her parents. She is married to Jose Luis and has 3 beautiful daughters; Melisa, 11 years, is in 6th grade, Michelle, 7 years, is in 1st grade and Maya, 2 years, is in day care.

Bety graduated from Universidad De Guadalajara in 1999 and in 2007 studied hypnotherapy in Palo Alto for 15 months. She lived in San Francisco for 13 years and worked for Saint Vincent De Paul Society for 12 years working with poor and homeless people.  At the same time she opened a community place with 2 other therapists to help poor people who did not have insurance.

Bety shares “The things that I like best at the Refugio is to have the opportunity to work with the kids and be part of their education and life, and most of all to give them confidence to be a good person when they grow up.  My biggest challenge is helping them to value what they have in their lives, to be grateful for the food, and most of all to value all the love that they receive from the people here. Being part of the Refugio has changed my life.  Now they are part of me and every day I try to leave them a positive thought.  THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MY LIFE FULL OF LOVE AND HOPE.”

Update: A new staff member has been hired as of March 2012 to assist both Bety and Luiz. Expect more information on new and current RISE team members in the near future.