Children’s Shelter of Hope Blog

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. 

A Matter of Trust

 

 

Our foundation expenses are incredibly low (under 3 percent). People have commented frequently that a unique and attractive feature about our foundation is that we are small and PERSONAL.  We as board members are volunteers, involved and committed to helping the children in need here in Mexico.  We know the children at RISE and at Pasitos– we agonize over their struggles and celebrate their successes.  We are there with the children regularly, full of ideas and dreams, and we have tender hearts.  We give tours, tell everyone about our work, take the children on outings, help at fundraising events …..  We are concerned, inspired, zealous advocates, PASSIONATE about GIVING CHILDREN HOPE.

Our foundation expenses, focused primarily on printing, our website, and communications, are incredibly low (under 3%  since we are not even producing or mailing out calendars this “lean” year).  We are careful guardians of the donations entrusted to us and do the very best we can to fulfill our promises to the people we work with and to the children.  WE CARE and we want to make a difference.  PLEASE write to us, TRUST US, and continue to support our efforts when you can.

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.