|
Our Journey of Impact:
Celebrating 5 Years at MdC!
5-years seems like forever, yet it sped by. When we look back over the recent years, we are amazed at how God has been at work in our organization, us as individual leaders, and the students and families we serve. We are on a long journey toward helping families escape poverty, yet there have been lots of milestones along the way that show progress.
We want to share with you the 5 areas where we have found the most joy in fulfilling our mission.
| |
|
5 Milestones in 5 Years
| |
|
In our early years, we "lived" out of bins and boxes as we had no facility to call our own. In those days, running our programs in a rented space, took hours to set up and break down. The spaces were all inadequate and offered little room to separate into groups by age. It was often loud, chaotic, and hard to teach and be heard in one large space. Safety was a big concern in those days.
| |
|
Life at Casa Esperanza is very different today. Students are divided into classrooms by age groups, moms attend seminars while their children have childcare, and teachers have designated space to teach. It is a calm environment that is conducive to learning at all levels. We even have amazing outside space to play.
| |
|
When we first started teaching a few years ago, children had little energy, they struggled to focus, and they did not believe that they were smart or could learn. 17 out of 22 students ages 6-13 could not read, and 13 students did not even know their letter sounds. Children were way behind, both academically and emotionally.
| |
|
Today, students are vibrant and engaged learners. They are happy, energetic, and eager to learn. They are reading, writing, doing math and even learning English! They have developed self-confidence, are eager to help, and are now dreaming of the possibilities of what they could become. Most have finally achieved their grade level, or are well on their way.
| |
|
Earning an income is difficult for women while raising their children and taking care of their homes. Many women reported feeling lonely, isolated, and depressed as they struggled with day-to-day living.
| |
|
When MdC launched our work program, it was an opportunity for women to learn new skills while we cared for and educated their children. For the first time, women were together in a community, sharing their challenges, laughing, and at the same time earning money from the products they were making. They were proud of what they were producing and have been using the money they made to improve their homes and provide for their family.
| |
|
Our first medical fair in 2021 was a huge eye opener regarding the state of health and misinformation in our community. 61% of patients had at least 1 cavity, and 31% had 3 or more (it was obvious most did not brush their teeth). 67% of adults had high blood pressure, 88% were overweight, and almost 100% of our households purchased soda daily.
| |
|
Times have changed! After our first medical fair, we embarked on a journey of education and have held over 75 adult seminars and many more children’s programs to teach the importance of health and wellness. The result is simple: our community has never been healthier.
Dental habits have improved drastically, families report drinking more water, adults are exercising, and the results are showing in our medical fairs and the energy and vibrancy of our community.
| |
|
Poverty among displaced families at the border looks different than many other places in the world because of the lack of community. Families come alone, they live in isolation, and they struggle alone. Even though these communities all live in the same geographical neighborhood, interaction is uncommon.
| |
|
MdC's Super Saturday program was designed to build community, and it has worked. Mom's and their children come to Casa Esperanza every Saturday, and they play games, receive teaching on relevant topics, and share life together. What once started as strangers coming together has grown into a family where everyone looks forward to being together. They share struggles, celebrate wins, and are living life in community.
| |
|
One significant thing that brings us joy is....YOU!
| |
|
When we started on this journey, we had no idea how many of you would come alongside us and join us in this mission. You trusted us right out of the gate and in our first year where we raised $112,186. This past year, we raised $640,353, with over 300 donors and an 80% rate of repeat giving year-over-year.
We are fueled by your sacrificial donations, and words of encouragement, and we covet your prayers on this journey. Our impact would not be possible without you, our donors and supporters, and without God being with us every step of the way.
| |
|
It is an honor to serve Misión de Caridad and our community. We are excited to have celebrated our 5th anniversary and can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next 5 years!
| |
|
An Update On Our Annual Report
| |
|
We are excited to announce that we will soon be publishing our annual report for 2023!
We will be reporting our donors by giving levels. If you made a donation last year and wish to opt-out please send an email to info@mdcaridad.org. Thank you.
| |
Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We look forward to sharing our achievements and impact with you in the upcoming annual report! | |
|
The impact of our work that we've witnessed over the years is a testament to the power of your support. We are on this journey together and we are so thankful for your trust and sacrifice!
Your support, whether one-time or recurring, plays a crucial role in making a positive impact.
|
|
|
Sharing Makes A Difference
| |
|
When you share our mission, you become a powerful advocate for those we serve, helping us spread awareness and engage more people in making a positive impact on the lives of those in our community.
| |
Together, We Are Changing Lives | | | | |
