Reflecting on the Present and Looking to the Future

A message from Kelley Kuyat, CEO of Amigos de Jesús

Dear Friends,

As we begin a new year together, I want to share a clear reflection on where Amigos de Jesús is today and why I am more confident than ever in the future of this mission.

Nearly 30 years ago, Amigos de Jesús began as a grassroots mission rooted in compassion, relationship, and an unwavering commitment to children in need. The organization grew & evolved, as did Honduran child welfare laws, regulatory expectations, and standards of care. With that growth came a responsibility to operate with professional systems, clear governance, and strong accountability—both to protect the children we serve and to steward donor trust with integrity.

In recent years, Amigos de Jesús has undergone a meaningful transformation. Three years ago, Amigos de Jesús hired a bilingual Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, who established transparent financial controls and compliance systems aligned with Honduran regulations. 2024 was a year of rebuilding, strengthening governance, financial controls, internal systems, and organizational policies. That work laid the foundation. 2025 became the year those changes translated into real, visible outcomes for the children and young adults entrusted to our care.

Together, you helped move an organization toward greater dignity, responsibility, preparation, and measurable impact. This kind of progress does not happen accidentally. It happens through disciplined leadership—and through the trust of donors who believe children deserve not just care, but a future.

One of the most important shifts has been cultural. Under the direction of our Honduras Director of Operations, Kemci Alvarez, and her leadership team, our children and young adults are now active participants in their own growth. They are learning that education is a privilege that carries responsibility, that effort matters, that shared spaces deserve respect, and that gratitude is part of dignity. This approach restores meaning to opportunity and prepares young people not just to survive, but to thrive.

During this same period, leadership undertook a thoughtful evaluation of our Pathway to Independence program, examining both measurable outcomes for young adults and the long-term sustainability of the model. As part of that review, we proactively strengthened the program’s structure and substance to ensure continuity for our young adults.

We refined the program to focus more intentionally on preparation and impact. Today, preparation begins earlier, starting at age 12, with a strong emphasis on life skills, vocational exposure, financial literacy, accountability, and realistic pathways to employment or continued education.

At the same time, Amigos de Jesús Bilingual School experienced a powerful transformation under the leadership of Alma Regina Vaquiz. The school shifted from operating at a loss to becoming a sustainable, mission-aligned academic program. Academic standards were strengthened, expectations clarified, and a formal Special Education program redesigned.

One of the most meaningful outcomes came full circle when one of our young men, once served by Amigos de Jesús, earned a degree in Special Education, returned to campus, completed an internship, and was hired to lead the Special Education program. This moment reflects the very heart of our mission: a child once served by Amigos de Jesús returning as a professional and leader, shaping the futures of others with dignity and purpose.

In the coming months, I look forward to sharing more frequent updates about the tangible impact of this work, including the success of our young adults in vocational and technical schools, scholarships secured for trade programs, and on-campus workshops designed to support independence. You will also hear more about the partnerships we are building across the Honduran community to strengthen long-term outcomes. For example:

• Integrating into the community. Our children and young adults attend a local parish Mass and Sunday school, and participate more fully in neighborhood life. This ensures they are not raised in isolation, but continue to build healthy relationships beyond our campus.

• Classroom opportunities for music, art, and teacher development. Made possible through a generous grant, this allows us to enrich both academic instruction and creative expression. We are even exploring the formation of a school band, complete with uniforms and drums.

• Raising responsible, informed Honduran citizens. We partner with members of the local Honduran community - including law enforcement professionals - who provide age-appropriate education on personal safety, civic responsibility, legal migration, and respectful participation in society.

Amigos de Jesús continues to face challenges, as any mission doing meaningful work does. But we are an organization grounded in clarity, accountability, and purpose. I am deeply proud of our leadership, our children and young adults, and the culture of responsibility and hope that defines this mission today.

I hold this work with gratitude and humility. To witness children and young adults treated with dignity, surrounded by care, and given the tools to learn, to work, and to carry themselves well in the world makes every challenge worth it. Education, vocational preparation, and the formation of character are not small things—they shape lives, futures, and communities.

It is an honor to play even a small part in this mission, and I am deeply thankful to walk this path alongside you.

With gratitude,



Kelley Kuyat

President & CEO, Amigos de Jesús

Upcoming in 2026

Ash Wednesday Mass & Lenten Luncheon | February 18, 2026

ADJ Annual Golf Outing | May 11, 2026