2022 has been a milestone year for Misión de Caridad. From launching our life-changing education and work programs to moving in to our very own facility, Casa Esperanza, it’s been a year of ground-breaking impact.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. Here at MdC, we say that every picture speaks a thousand stories - stories of struggle, of resilience, and of hope for a better future. As you scroll through our 2022 photos, we hope you glimpse the hope, joy, and sense of community captured in the faces of those we are privileged to serve. More than anything, this is the story that we want to tell.

Educating The Next Generation

Laying a lasting foundation

MdC’s Education Program launched in April of 2022 and is held twice a day, 5-days per week. Many of the children in our program are not enrolled in public school due to barriers such as distance, lack of safe and reliable transportation, and insufficient funds for school supplies.

Shelly, who inspired our nickname “Besitos” for this neighborhood, got dressed up and greeted our medical team at her home. Her sister Alexa is pictured behind Shelly. In 2022, Shelly was kicked out of public school for not being able to hold a pencil the correct way and for being disruptive in class. Teachers were too busy to work with her. Without assistance, Shelly (along with many others) is unlikely to ever be able to continue her education. We are doing everything in our power to change this.

Co-founder Francisco Ortega looks on as a young student in MdC’s Education Program completes an exercise.

Maria Julia works independently (left) as students read in our reading nook (right). The majority of students were not able to read when they started in our program.

MdC Director of Education Maria Mesta provides instructions on tooth-brushing during a typical school day. Emphasizing dental hygiene on a daily basis is important as many children lack daily reinforcement at home.

Francisco, along with teachers Lucy and Maria congratulate student Maria Julia with a diploma for completing our Summer School program. Maria Julia only missed 3 classes the entire summer. 76% of the 35 students students enrolled in the summer session also had near-perfect attendance.

Part of our education goals is learning to work in teams and speak in front of a large group. We are so proud of our students for presenting to an audience of over 100 people on the life stages of the butterfly. While challenging, the children in our education program not only learn about the subject matter, but also important skills such as public speaking and teamwork.

At the end of every semester we have a celebration to mark the students’ accomplishments. Parents participated with our staff to organize games and engaging activities. Any activity involving water is very welcome during the hot summer months and the students (and staff) got soaking wet at this event!

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Bag and Embroidery Program

In May of 2022, we began teaching 40 women how to make bags out of recycled materials or embroidery as a way for them to earn an income. In September, we launched our online store featuring their amazing work. Every bag or embroidered item you purchase goes directly into supporting the women in the program.

Women work hard learning to embroider and make bags. Before we had Casa Esperanza, women had to work outdoors dur to our limited space.

The women work hard to make good quality products. Each item is delivered with a photo and story of the woman who made it.

It is not only hard work, but also enjoyable as women work and laugh together. Did you know that to make a bag of multiple colors, the different colors are melted together using a flat iron?

Anette, a teen mom, greets Jean with a hug. In August, the MdC team began to once again regularly visit the homes of women in our program to better understand their needs and build deeper relationships. We are always greeted warmly and invited into the homes of the women.

Super Saturdays

Building a Healthy Community

In February 2022, MdC launched our Super Saturday program to address the lack of community in the area where we serve. 92% of the adult community was not born in this area. So not only are they struggling to survive, they are experiencing isolation with little to no support network. Super Saturdays were designed to change that.

Anette holds her baby at our first-ever Super Saturday program.

Families play a games at a Super Saturday event as a way to engage and get to know each other. Over the course of 2022, we hosted 34 Super Saturday events where an average of 30 families attended every week, participating in healthy meals, game nights, fitness classes, and seminars on healthy living.

As part of the Saturday program, children participate in health seminars that teach them about nutrition, biology and concepts that expanded their thinking. Our staff is always looking at interesting and hands-on ways to engage the students. Check out the digestive system shirt that Teacher Sarai is wearing to better illustrate what she is teaching the students.

Jean and Shelly measure their hands to see whose is bigger.

Maria, Gabriela, and Annette are three women in our bag making program who are now good friends. They enjoy hanging out at our MdC’s programs together with their kids.

Most families don’t have a kitchen table or space at home to play games, so they are very eager to participate in both our table and team games. Eleven months since our Saturday program began, families have built relationships with one another. They are now laughing, joking and eager to interact.

One of the benefits at Casa Esperanza is lots of open space for games and activities. Francisco is enjoying playing a game of ball with the kids.

We love that kids of all ages are hanging out, enjoying each other and being goofy together. This is especially true with our teens, who at first sat on the sidelines, but now are having a blast.

We are amazed at the transformation we are seeing as families grow closer and begin to be a healthy community.

Annual Photo Mark the Passage of Time and Preserve Memories

This is our second year of taking family photos at Christmas time and then providing a framed picture for families to take home. This year, many more families dressed up, wore festive outfits or hats, and smiled.

This year’s Christmas picture shows many more smiles as families are much more comfortable and confident that MdC is helping them to improve their situations.

Esmeralda is part of the bag making team and was excited to pose for her daughter’s first Christmas. It is always encouraging when we see complete family units.

Most families do not have the time or resources to take a family portrait. We feel honoured that we can help capture their important milestones as a family and remind them of their love for each other.

Nutrition & Health Education

Health Begins From Within

In the past, the focus on nutrition was limited to healthy grocery deliveries. In 2022, MdC was able to incorporate nutrition in a more holistic way by serving meals as part of every program that MdC hosts. In addition to serving healthy food, MdC also ran a weekly health education program for children and monthly health seminar for adults.

In 2022, MdC served more than 60,000 healthy meals across three programs: Feed-A-Family healthy grocery distribution, Super Saturday, and our Education Program.

Six days a week, we feed women and children a healthy meal in our various programs. Each meal consists of a carbohydrate, protein, fruit, vegetable, and calcium.

Developing healthy eating habits begins at an early age. With the right education and encouragement, the next generation will begin to make healthy choices that will impact all aspects of their lives.

Once a month, we distribute healthy groceries that for most families last for 7-10 days. In order to receive the groceries, families must regularly attend our Saturday program. Empowerment is more than just showing up, families have to stay accountable and engaged in our health and education programs, including our medical fairs.

Every month, MdC’s Feed-A-Family team works tirelessly to source, purchase, deliver, pack and distribute healthy groceries for 50 families (over $5,000 a month in groceries). A typical grocery distribution includes eggs, milk, whole grain bread, rice, beans, oatmeal, peanut butter, oil, tuna fish, and an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.

MdC staff Antonio leads our Feed-A-Family assembly and delivery team. He is pictured here helping a family carry their groceries to their car.

Improving Access to Health

Real Lives, Real Results

Twice a year, MdC hosts a medical fair for the families in our program. Each family has a medical record and we track their results. The fair is made up of stations that include: health screening; medical exam; dental exam and treatment; vision screening and custom glasses where needed; a seminar on health; prayer and 1:1 meeting where women can share any personal concerns or issues that they are facing.

At every medical fair, we see anywhere from 150-220 patients over a 3-day period.

Esmeralda, a mother of 2 who is part of MdC’s bag making program, undergoes a biometric screening by MdC staffer Michelle. After their screening, patients visit Nurse Andy for a more thorough exam.

Dr. Alan Kwok provides a vision test for patients that don’t pass their first tier eye exam. If they need prescription glasses, a patient can select the frames that they like and several weeks later we deliver their made-to-order glasses. For many, it is the first time they are able to see clearly.

Our seminars are both educational and hands on. This seminar focused on the vital organs and how food and lifestyle choices can impact the health of their organs.

Dr. Joe Lee and his assistant Ivanna work together to treat patients. At our last medical fair in November of 2022, Dr. Joe noted a 50% decrease in cavities and a 60+% improvement in dental hygiene. It is exciting to see our hard work of educating paying off.

Consistent care is essential for expectant moms. This mom was pregnant during our April medical fair and by November had delivered two beautiful twin girls. It is a joy to be a part of such significant events in the lives of our families and develop long-term relationships that are changing the trajectory of their lives for the better.

April was our largest medical fair with over 65 staff! This was followed by a smaller fair in November.

What a team! November 2022 marked our 4th Medical Fair, but the first ever… in Casa Esperanza!

The Story of Casa Esperanza

A Miracle of Hope

It took 3 years to find, purchase and construct Casa Esperanza, but it was worth the wait! Finding land is not easy because although there is a lot of open land. Many people don’t hold the appropriate paperwork and legal rights to sell the land.

Francisco and Jean share the vision for Casa Esperanza at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in November 2022. Construction was completed just a day before the November Medical Fair (minus the shade above and additional fencing).

MdC Staffer David helps a mom carry her groceries.

Jean loves bonding with all the kids (and moms) in our program.

MdC’s students in our education program sang and presented a reading at our Christmas party and photo day at Casa Esperanza.

A moment to celebrate all the year’s accomplishments. God is good and faithful and we humbly acknowledge His provision for all that we have at Misión de Caridad.

It is hard to fully describe and capture the impact we are having but please know that your support makes a difference in each and every life that we serve. Little by little the lives are families are changing for the better.

We hope you will continue to be part of writing this important story with us.

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2022 in Pictures: How MdC is Changing the Story