One of my favorite “duties” for Children´s Shelter of Hope Foundation while at home in PV is that of being the Shoe Fairy for RISE and also now for Sendero. Once every two weeks I take two to four deserving children to the shoe store to select new school shoes or tennis shoes. We usually stop off at the 
ice cream stand as well. The outing, special time together, smiles and hugs from the selected children is an AMAZING EXPERIENCE. For a donation of $25 US the Shoe Fairy can make one child VERY HAPPY and you will receive a photo. Please send a donation right away so that the magic can continue.
Author: CSHF Board
For Our Girls
Since its opening in April of this year, Sendero de Esperanza y Amor (Pathway to Hope and Love) has been growing and changing rapidly. There are now 7 teenage girls living and thriving at this wonderful and innovative, small home-like home in Puerto Vallarta. Some have come from other shelters in Puerto Vallarta (including 4 who were previously at RISE) and some have been placed at Sendero directly through DIF. The girls, ranging in age from 12 to 17, work with the two house mothers, Francis and Elvira, on daily chores (including cooking, shopping, and cleaning), homework, and special interest projects, and earn points for positive attitude and behavior redeemable toward extra privileges and outings on weekends.
The summer months were particularly busy at Sendero, with the girls exercising at CEA gym in Nuevo Vallarta 3 mornings per week plus doing Zumba, making bracelets and other craft projects to sell, and participating in other events to raise funds needed for operating expenses. In addition, they hosted a special Mexican dinner for a group of volunteers from the Two Birds organization based in England. In return the volunteers assisted at Sendero in planting gardens in front of the house and painting a beautiful mural with the girls in the back patio area.
Each Saturday some of the girls go with Bety, our wonderful psychologist assisting at Sendero, to do activities with children living at the local dump, and Sundays all are actively involved in the church choir across the street from their home.
Mid-August brought the start of a new school year, with each girl receiving school shoes, a uniform and backpack, and necessary school supplies, thanks to several generous donations. Their school progress, emotional needs, and individual efforts are closely monitored by Bety, Yrma, and Ceci, members of the Sendro Board of Directors, who also plan the “reward” activities and work to secure donations and funds.
This new project appears to be on the “pathway” to major success in meeting the needs of these special teens. PLEASE help us to keep the heart in this home by sending a donation to CSHF right away marked “For the Girls”.
Do You Have a Passion for the Children in Mexico?
Over the past 14 months our all volunteer board worked together creating a new website, Facebook presence, 
enhancing our correspondences and improving our bookkeeping system. This took hours of work and dedication but the outcome was worth all our effort. After accomplishing so much, I am sad to write that a couple of our members have found that they are spending very little time now in Puerto Vallarta and are therefore less connected to our projects and the work that we do. Some have chosen to become honorary board member and others have gone on to new efforts or pursuing personal interests they put aside during their time on our board.
Therefore we are actively seeking individuals who have a passion and enthusiasm for needy Mexican children and families, as well as idealism and a vigorous presence in the Puerto Vallarta area. Since you, our donors and readers, know of our work and have a heart for the difference we are making, we are extending to you a special invitation to become directly involved …. to help with fundraising activities for our foundation board and for the projects that we support, including Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, Pasitos de Luz, Sendero de Esperanza y Amor, and the new Houses for Hope. If you have an interest in joining our foundation as a board member or would like further information please contact us at info@cshf-us.org
We are happy to share that Susan Solomon has stepped up from her work as 10 X 10 Coordinator to Board Treasurer, as well. She has previously served on a non-profit board so come to us with knowledge of organization finances as well as a creative flare that promises to give our foundation an important boost. Thanks so much, Susan!!
“SEA” is Open Now
We are very excited to announce that Sendero de Esperanza y Amor (SEA), our newest project, is officially 
open and is home now for several teenage girls ranging in age from 12 to 14. Some have come from other shelters in Puerto Vallarta and some have arrived directly from DIF, the Social Services organization in Mexico. This innovative, non-profit shelter offers a smaller, family-like environment filled with hope and love for teens who have been abused, abandoned, or living in extreme poverty. The girls living at SEA are now experiencing how strong families can function with consistent expectations and values. They are learning to cook, clean, sew, wash clothes, and work together for the benefit of the group. They participate in shopping, selection of clothing and school needs, and are involved projects that might help to raise additional funds. Two different house mothers guide them with daily chores, homework, special interest projects, and incentives for positive contributions to the home. Other SEA board members offer psychological counseling and direct support with their schools. The girls are happy and thriving with this new approach. If you would like to be a part of the SEA experience, please send a donation to CSHF right away with a notation that it is for the girls and staff at SEA.
We Certainly Did Celebrate!!
Oh, what a night!! On Saturday, February 2nd the community indeed came together for the Celebración Para Los Niños event to support some children in need in Puerto Vallarta. The new indoor venue, the Gran Salon of the SECRET Vallarta Bay/ NOW Amber was stunning! The food, provided by many of the finest local restaurants, was plentiful and magnificent. The live entertainment, including Los Bambinos, pianist Salvatore Rodriguez, Ballet Folklorico Xiutla, and, of course, some of the children from RISE, offered something wonderful for everyone. Many happy bidders took home amazing items donated by local shops or individuals, and purchased at the Live Auction or Silent Auction. And, most importantly ALL of the money raised will help the children at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE), a shelter for children in PV, and Sendero de Esperanza y Amor, a new shelter for older children opening later this month in PV.
Thank you, thank you to the committee and volunteers who worked tirelessly to put together this event. Thanks also to Abraham Solares for these photos. And, thank you also to all who were able to attend and enjoy this special evening. We hope to see you all again next year.
For more information about RISE, please call 222-7857. Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
For information about Sendero, please email Cecilia Altamirano at Cecilia_sendero_ea@hotmail.com