A Dream Taking Shape
[scroll down for Partner updates]
This may very well be the most exciting update we have ever shared…
We are thrilled to share a major milestone in the journey of continuing to protect vulnerable children, thanks to your unwavering support and generosity!
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We finally broke ground!
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On June 5th ground was finally broken on our ambitious project—the construction of a new home for vulnerable children in Baja California Sur which will serve as a temporary home for children whose families are experiencing a medical crisis.
In Mexico breast cancer and childhood leukemia are among the leading causes of death mostly affecting those living in poverty which has increased by 200% over the last few years.
The local state child services department confirmed that such a home is greatly needed in BCS as a place where, for example, single mothers can bring their healthy children while they seek medical treatment for themselves or a sick child.
After years of dedication and hard work, we are now witnessing the tangible manifestation of our collective vision. The past few weeks have been filled with tremendous progress, as the final placement for buildings and utilities has been meticulously planned and executed.
The chalk lines have been laid, and sturdy rebar cages have been constructed, setting the foundation for this transformative initiative.
We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you who have contributed to our fundraising efforts.
It is thanks to your incredible support that we have successfully raised enough funds to commence phase one of the project.
During this phase, all the buildings will be erected to a rough stage of construction which will not include any finishings such as doors, windows, fixtures, plaster, tile, etc.
With great excitement, we anticipate completing phase one within the next four months!
However, it is essential to acknowledge that our work does not end there.
In order to achieve our ultimate goal of providing a fully functional and nurturing environment for these children, we need your continued support.
To progress to phase two, which will bring us to completion, we require an additional $200,000 USD.
If you or a loved one has been touched by cancer or any other terminal illness, you know how difficult it can be. For a single mother living in poverty, it’s almost hopeless. However, with your continued support we are confident we can bring hope and achieve our goal of making a lasting positive impact on the lives of those who need it most.
We understand that many of you have already graciously contributed to our cause. We are incredibly thankful for your past donations and we humbly request your support once again as we embark on the next crucial phase.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in the lives of these children and their families.
Together, we can create a safe haven, a place where vulnerable children can grow, and thrive during their families’ time of need.
We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey by making a donation towards phase two of our project.
To contribute, please click the button below and choose “John Gullo Home For Vulnerable Children” from the menu.
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Now for even more inspiration, please read all of our partner updates below:
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PARTNER UPDATES
Líderes Para Dar / John Gullo Home for Children
To help facilitate the development of the home and its ongoing operations, Leaders2Give created Líderes Para Dar as its Mexican nonprofit subsidiary. Líderes Para Dar’s mission is identical to Leaders2Give’s with a board of directors composed of three officers from Leaders2Give’s Board of Directors along with a number of Mexican nationals.
Líderes Para Dar will be charged with hiring staff and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the home which will shelter, feed, and educate these children — in a loving, safe, and nurturing environment until family reunification is possible — without cost to the families.
Althought the home will service children from throughtout BCS, Mexico, the children, while temporarily living there, will be part of the El Cardonal community. They will attend the local public school and will be supported by community programs that teach age-appropriate leadership skills such as conflict resolution, collaboration, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
Much of the local community is already aware of and in support of the home, however, to ensure widespread community understanding and support, Líderes Para Dar’s President, Hector Boirie, and Líderes Para Dar Director and Mayor of El Cardonal, Belén Meza Sandez, attended a huge community-wide event in El Cardonal on May 26 to introduce the entire community to the project. As was excpeted, the home was very well received.
New Creation Kids (NCK) Children’s Home
New Creation Kids is a temporary home for children whose families are unable to care for them for various reasons such as addiction, incarceration, poverty, and violence.
In other cases, the families live so remotely that the children would be unable to attend school otherwise.
The role Leaders2Give plays is to ensure that NCK basic operational sustainment costs are met such as the cost of education (books, uniforms and tuition) transportation to medical appointments, food, water, and more.
Over the years, Leaders2Give has also contributed to capital projects such as the installation of solar panels, water infrastructure, and more.
Today, we are pleased to announce an informal partnership with a third-party US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which wishes to remain anonymous. Together, we have engaged with an individual who will conduct regular site visits to assess the ongoing needs of the facility and to ensure that the investments being made by Leaders2Give on behalf of you, our generous donor community, are properly maintained.
From time to time, a list of repairs and improvements will be identified and a request for funding will be broadcast to the community for financial assistance.
Most recently, it was brought to our attention that security lighting, the replacement of some faulty electrical wiring, and a new water pump is required at a cost of approximately $1000.00 US.
If you are interested in supporting this endeavour, please click one of the green donate buttons in this update or on our website and select “New Creations Kids” from the giving menu.
Be sure to include your preference for how the money is to be allocated in the comments i.e. “recently identified repairs and improvements.”
The East Cape Health Center
The East Cape Health Center is proud to announce that the first day for Dra Ingrid Quintero, OB/Gyn will be on Sat 6 May at the new Women’s Health Center. They have a full schedule for her with six patients.
In April, Dr. Daniel Medina joined their team. Daniel was one of the East Cape Guild doctors in 2016-2018 and aspired to attend a three year Emergency Physician Masters degree. When he graduated, he returned to join their team to cover 24 hour weekends, Monday and Tuesday duty. He is a valued physician with skills to share with their medical team.
Another good recruitment is the addition of Dra. Karla Zamudio. Karla comes with fantastic triple credentials, specializing in Pediatrics, Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Surgery. She will start 6 May and work twice a week.
La Ribera had a two day power outage so the new clinic found it essential to install a generator to keep the lights on in case of another power outage during the summer.
And finally, last Saturday, the East Cape Health Center attended a fun affair at Viva Creacion to support their new remodeling of the dormitories, the main play area, the garden, and the woodworking site. A fun time was had by all as the children who painted art projects which were raffled off to the attendees.
Stay tuned for their summer projects…
Feeding The Hungry
Feeding the Hungry (FTH) is in need of your help. The FTH program supports Mexican families in our community struggling with food insecurity. FTH provides qualifing families with weekly food vouchers worth $300 pesos.
These vouchers can be redeemed at Chapitos for essential food items (no cigarettes or alcohol). 100% of all donations go directly to helping local Families.
The summer season is when Mexican families need the most help because many of the expats who live in the area clear out in search of cooler lands. The decreased demand causes many businesses to close for this off-season leaving many Mexicans with little or no income.
The expenses to the FTH organization have also increased because they increased the value of the food vouchers distributed this year from $250 pesos each to $300 pesos each due to the large cost increase of local groceries. In addition, the US dollar to Mexico peso exchange rate has plummeted from about 20:1 to a current 17:1. The cost to help feed a family for a year has gone from $650 USD to $917 USD.
For a good description of what they want to continue to provide to the most needy and how you can help, see: Your Introduction to Feeding the Hungry Programs in Los Barriles
SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
SNAP Los Barriles’ dedication to responsible pet ownership has made a remarkable difference in the community. With immense pride, we announce that SNAP now performs an average of 100 surgeries each month, benefitting both dogs and cats.
By reducing unplanned litters and improving the well-being of our beloved companions, SNAP contributes to a healthier and happier community for both animals and humans. The program's success can be attributed to their exceptional veterinarian and dedicated volunteers who provide safe and affordable services.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families who have entrusted their pets to SNAP. Their decision to spay and neuter showcases their commitment to animal welfare and helps create a more sustainable and compassionate community.
Looking ahead, SNAP aims to expand its reach and make its services accessible to more families in need. By exploring partnerships with local organizations and seeking additional funding opportunities, they strive to support their mission and educate children on responsible pet ownership. This summer, nearly 100 local children will benefit from SNAP's educational information during a special camp.
SNAP emphasizes the impact of a $20 donation, as it assists families in need with the crucial spay and neuter procedure for their pets. Recognizing the economic challenges faced by many families in the area, SNAP strives to bridge the gap and ensure every family can access necessary care.
To Donate to Leaders2Give and any of our Partners, visit our Donate page.