A Community Blessed by Learning Businesses and Trades:

Building the Miracle of

Self-Sufficiency!

There are always so many miracles to share, but this issue, we wanted you to see the miracle of the business and trade programs and how they bless the community.

Housing is the first gift received by Build A Miracle families, but in an effort to help them better support their families financially, since salaries average $100-$150 USD a week, the business program was started.

2005 - BAM's First Family Helped to Start a

Small Business!

To the left you can see the shack where Genovena was living with her children and then above, a picture of her finished BAM home.

She was a single mom living in house #31 without the option to work outside of her home.

Below is the small taco stand we built attached to her home.

This single mom said, "I can't read, but I can cook!"

Which gave Adolfo the idea to build this extra space for her to cook to support her family.

For many years, several people each year were helped through BAM with loans or spaces provided to get a small business going...

Restaurant

Carpentry Shop

Sewing Shop

Then in 2021, the BAM business building was built across from the Community Center.

And now look what the business and trade programs have grown into!

1. Small Business Training Classes

(With 77 Graduates)

2. Businesses Supported by the BAM Business Team

(143 Total businesses supported by BAM 2005-2024)

3. Shark Tank Events

Sponsors are the "sharks" who bid on the businesses to help each entrepreneur expand and improve their small business with loans and advice.

(29 participants so far - in first 3 Shark Tank Events 2023-2024)

A few of the "Shark Tank" Business Success Stories:

Jose Miguel - Tortilla Chips

Before Shark Tank

Jose Miguel had to cut tortillas by hand and fry them in a small batch pot.

BEFORE SHARK TANK HE MADE:

400 bags of chips a month

Earning $150-$180 a month

After Shark Tank

With new equipment purchased with his Shark Tank loan, he increased the quality of his chips and has reduced production time by 75%.

He now makes 1600-2000 bags of chips a month

earning $800-$1200 a month!

Teresa - Convenience Store

Before Shark Tank

Teresa's store was just a little shack, and when it rained, water dripped through her roof and ruined her merchandise.

BEFORE SHARK TANK SHE MADE:

$100-$150 a month in profit from sales

After Shark Tank

With her loan and help from the Dads' group, Teresa's store was fixed up with flooring and a new roof. With her increased profits, she has been able to pay back her loan in full, and now is able to put away $60/week for her savings!

$450-$500 a month in profit from sales

Maricruz - Sewing Business

Before Shark Tank

Maricruz made items to sell at local flea markets, but with basic machines, it took longer to make large orders such as curtains, and sales were more sporadic.

BEFORE SHARK TANK:

$65 was her highest monthly profit.

After Shark Tank

With specialized sewing machines purchased with her Shark Tank loan, she has been able to take on team members to help her make large batches of garments such as uniforms for local schools.

Since Shark Tank, she has made up to $1,000

in one month!

Ana - Donut Business

Before Shark Tank

Ana worked out of her kitchen to make donuts.

Avg. 3,000 donuts a month

Earning $400 - $450 a month

After Shark Tank

Avg. 4,500 donuts a month

Earning $700-$850 a month

While Ana still works out of her kitchen, a baker's rack, fryer, and other supplies purchased with her loan from Shark Tank has made her process more organized and efficient and be able to expand beyond sugar donuts to specialty offerings.

4. Bakery Program

(Over 250 people have sold bread made at the

BAM Bakery 2023-2024)

We love this program because it gives moms from the community a chance to earn extra money to support their families.

Mexican Sweet Bread is baked at the Community Center,

Loaded into tubs...

...And delivered to the communities for people to sell!

BAM TRADES

1. Beauty Program

Over 700 graduates celebrated since 2010!

Classes are taught each week at the Community Center to help women learn this trade

2010 - BAM's First Beauty School with

5 students in the Graduating Class

2023 & 2024 Beauty School Master Class with over 200 women who have previously attended

BAM Beauty School classes -

Teachers come from all over the US and abroad to teach

the week long Master Class Programs!

All the Beauty Program classes have empowered women and provided a trade where they can learn and then earn extra income for their families.

Many have started their own businesses!

And the program keeps growing!

With the 1st Barber Program classes

just starting in June 2024.

2. Sewing Program

Sewing classes are taught each week at the Community Center.

Many earn extra income through this program!

3. Industrial Machine Training Program

BAM is sponsoring 12 students to take these classes at a trade school

4. Electricity Program

Taken by dad's from the community who are participating in the dad's program or who want to learn a trade

We could go on sharing stories about the Community Center and how the things that are happening each day are making a difference in the lives of others but

We will leave you today with pictures of some of the families on the waiting list for homes.

No matter how their lives are today, it gives the people of the community such joy knowing that they too, are a part of the

Build A Miracle family and if they are willing to do the hard and necessary work, their living conditions, and prospects for the future, will soon be changing.

Build A Miracle creates a path out of the vulnerable class.

Then they become "BAM in Action" themselves,

encouraging the next generation of BAM families!

Thanks for being THE REASON

BAM is always able to be "In Action" working to make this world better.

We couldn't do it without you!

With Love From,

Chris, Julianne, Adolfo, Eva and

All Your Build a Miracle Friends

(619) 992-0845

cjn1@yahoo.com

And check out the updated website if you haven't seen it yet!

BuildaMiracle.net