Misión de Caridad's empowerment programs aim to end the cycle of poverty in our Casa Esperanza (CE) community. There are many forms of poverty that MdC is addressing including the poverty of health, education, and community. 

Our goal is to empower through a holistic approach that includes programs like our Women's Work Program, which helps women earn an income while teaching women skills that are vital for better-paying jobs. Seminars for women are another empowerment tool. Our most recent seminars have focused on teaching about emotion. We are helping women better understand their emotions and help them address the physiological burdens they carry which often impacts many other areas of their life.

MdC is growing a community where every individual is loved, valued, and treated with dignity. As we break down barriers, smiles are shared, friendships are made, and hope is restored. 

Please read below to learn about recent developments in our empowerment programs.

Seminars on Identifying Emotion

Our Saturday seminars have been helping women identify their feelings, what their triggers are, and teaching them ways to manage them. These seminars are not just about learning, but also about developing trust in the community as women share together. 

In our children's program, we have been teaching children different types of emotions, how they develop, and how to understand them.

Last week in the kid's program, children received a “bingo card” of emojis and a pile of beans. As an emotion was called out, the children had to identify the emoji that represented the emotion. That was the first step toward linking the picture to the feeling.  

We then taught children the importance of identifying and sharing their emotions. In a follow-up class on empathy, kids learned what it means to show empathy and how to be more empathetic with others around them by putting themselves in other people's shoes.

We taught the children how they can be empathetic by being friendly, smiling, or even giving a hug.

At our last Super Saturday, a local salon visited CE and provided haircuts and manicures. The women were so excited to get a new hairstyle and pretty nails. The kids also loved visiting the CE “Salon”. Check out a few pictures from the day.

Sometimes just feeling good about yourself can help you to feel empowered.

Almost done getting a fresh cut

A nice break after a long day

The nail salon was busy all day

Every Saturday, the same families (around 130 people) attend Super Saturday. The overarching goal is to create a community by spending time together, getting to know one another, and creating a support network. Each week, families play fun group games and then eat a healthy meal together. After eating, everyone divides by age (women, adolescents, elementary age, toddlers, and babies) and attend an age-appropriate lesson on a health-related topic. We do drawings for grocery gift cards each week and once a month provide groceries (enough healthy foods to last 1.5 weeks) to each family.

Saying hello before lunch

Mom's and kids playing a game together

Now that we have Casa Esperanza, Saturdays are so much less frenetic. Babies rest in their own space, toddlers can run around without being trampled by older kids, and teens can bond and connect with each other without the “little kids” around.

A toddler playing with toys in the playroom

Younger kids getting ready for a group activity

Teens hanging out and chatting in the courtyard

Kids love to spend time in our large open courtyard.

Each day before classes start, teachers lead the students through stretches and exercises to get their energy out, so they are better able to focus.

After class kids are always playing soccer, jumping rope or just hanging out.

An afternoon soccer match

Mid-air jump rope shot

Meet Diana and her family; son Carlos (left) and nephew Antonio (right). Diana helps with registration on Saturdays and the "boys" work with our Feed-a-family program. We are training Antonio to be the team lead.

Moving into Casa Esperanza and having permanent space has made a huge difference in so many ways. Families come early to connect before programs, and children love staying late just to play and hang out. If kids are going to cry at CE, it is when they have to leave, not when they arrive.

Your support allows us to empower families for generations to come. Here are a few ways you can help.

Have you gotten your Easter Basket yet?

Check out the new collection of bags, embroidery designs, and ornaments.

Free Shipping Now Available on All Products

Did you hear we have a new kitchen space?

Currently, we prepare 500 meals a week in the homes of our staff and transport them to CE. But soon, with your help, we will have our very own on-site kitchen.

We need your help to fill it

It's simple....you pick the item at the link below and pay for it and we will purchase it. Your contribution is tax-deductible.

This is our actual space that will turn into a working kitchen with your help

Did you know it costs an average of $45,000 a month to run our programs? Your donation makes a difference.

MdC Website

Our website offers many donation options including PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and credit payments.

You can give once or sign-up to be a monthly donor.

Pay by Check

Paying by check is a great way to avoid any credit card service fees.

Make checks payable to:

Misión de Caridad

P.O. Box 497

Arlington, MA 02476

Pay by Venmo

Donate via Venmo and we will follow-up with

your tax donation letter.

Together We Are Changing Lives