Corazón Lastimado: The therapeutic use of expressive arts with children at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.

In broken English, a 13 year boy asked if he could draw me a picture. I sat with him as he sketched a superhero figure he had seen on TV. He was amazingly talented and drew with great detail and passion. When he was finished he smiled, gave the picture to me and proudly said “For you. Welcome!” It was my first day volunteering at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos (CHLA) in Manzanillo, Mexico. The orphanage has over 50 children and is registered as a Mexican civil association. During the spring of 2011 I was able to spend an extended period of time at CHLA as part of a university sabbatical. I asked to volunteer at CHLA because of their outstanding reputation for working with “difficult to place” children in Mexico. Most of the kids come from toxic environments that include domestic violence, homelessness, physical and sexual abuse, prostitution, sexual assault, neglect and abandonment. During my professional career as a social worker I have been privileged to visit many orphanages around the world. Most of them provide for the basic survival needs of children, giving them minimal healthcare, clothing, food and shelter. The kids survive but few thrive. They often repeat the patterns and lifestyles of the poor and abusive homes they grew up in. Because of the lack of resources, few orphanages effectively address the complex needs of traumatized children. CHLA came highly recommended as a place where I could observe a “success story” and learn how they do it.

Read Don's entire story here

For the past nine years our lives have been turned upside down. You may think that is a bad thing, but it has changed our lives all for the good. When we found Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, it was located in a small house, on a side street, but they were planning to move in a month. We jumped in with both feet and became involved with the children on a daily basis. Whether it was washing clothes by hand or painting the entire property, we were willing to help. Over the years our role has changed and expanded into helping with fundraising, involving Rotary groups from the States and raising the awareness of Casa Hogar in our Mexico community as well as in the US. The love we have for the children and our belief that God has put us here for a reason has never faltered, but continues to help us seek ways of getting financial support for Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.

In my 17 years of pastoral ministry, I have been exposed to hundreds of programs that seek to help the poor worldwide. In my mind, The Children's Foundation offers the most comprehensive and strategic solutions to the problems of global poverty. They fully address the complex needs a child from abusive situations and seek to empower the children with tools to rise above their horrific start to life.

I can attest, based on my personal involvement, to the integrity of the staff, the strategic nature of the program, and the people centered approach to children. I am proud to be a supporter of The Children's Foundation and feel like my monthly support is one of the most important expenditures I make

I have had the privilege of visiting the Casa Hogar Los Angelitos several times since 2007. One of the benefits of being able to return is to see how much the children have grown and developed. Several children come to my mind immediately when I think of amazing progress. Some of these children have made tremendous leaps and bounds in the short time I have known them. This progress is due to the tremendous program offered at CHLA.

There are many organizations that do good things for children around the world. But I know first hand that CHLA is doing GREAT things for the children in their care. This care does not consist of one meal a day and one class a week. Quite the contrary, the children who reside at the CHLA are given their basic needs and much more. The continuous, positive developmental progress of the children is due to several important things. First, consistent structure provided by the program, secondly, the nurture necessary for all children to thrive and perhaps most importantly, the encouragement to dream. The children who live at the CHLA are encouraged to dream, to hope and to believe in their future. They are offered many programs to help them discover their academic, artistic and athletic potential.

All over the world there are children living in danger and in poverty without hope. At CHLA the children are living in a safe place where hope is given a chance to grow in their hearts. I believe the children are the future and it is my hope that you will join CHLA in building a beautiful future!

One day, several years ago, my young son came out of Sunday School class and asked me "Dad, what do you do to make the world a better place?".  I did not have an answer, at least, not a good one.  That question stayed on my mind for a long time, then about 6 years ago, someone at church asked me to go along on a "Mission Trip" to Mexico. 

They explained that a lady in our church had created an orphanage in Manzanillo and they were going down to help with some building maintenance.  My first response was "no" and I had a variety of valid excuses.  But with some reluctance, I accepted the offer and went to visit Casa Hogar Los Angelitos for the first time.

That visit changed my life.  I learned that, although I had very little to offer these children, God sent me to them so that He could speak to me in a more direct way.  Through these children, God showed me that I COULD make the world a better place by serving Him there.  I learned that by serving "the least of these", God plants a joy in our hearts that never fades.

My next visit to Casa Hogar will be my sixth.  I go there because I love these children, and I go because it is there that God speaks very clearly to me.

View video of a very special speech Ron gave about Casa Hogar here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NDoqvxmVC4

Our introduction to Casa Hogar Los Angelitos was through meeting a set of dedicated people serving children in great need. After meeting the children in a visit to Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, we knew we wanted to be involved in supporting its mission. Even though our involvement has been modest, it has been very exciting and rewarding for us to be associated with a children’s home that has grown rapidly from serving seven children at the outset to fifty children today. We also identify with the vision and mission of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos which includes serving children in need independent of age, or their “special needs” status, and seeking to change the lives of children one child at a time. We feel our contributions of time and money are well leveraged through the programs developed and delivered by those working with the children. Casa Hogar Los Angelitos strives to help children achieve academically, become confident in their leadership potential, and gain in their understanding of and appreciation for their self worth and cultural roots. Casa Hogar Los Angelitos is a different and special place and we are privileged to have the opportunity to be of help.

I want to mention what a wonderful job both Dave and Nancy Nystrom have done over the years with their tireless efforts for Casa Hogar los Angelitos.

How often do we find two individuals in this world who are so devoted to the health and well-being of others?

Dave and Nancy have contributed their time, money and love to this Mexican community of Manzanillo/Santiago year after year… never ceasing efforts through good times and bad. They have selflessly shared their vision and their compassion, with people here and abroad. They make you proud to be a human being and to know them for their kindness and their generosity. I am proud to be their friend.

VTY,
Captain Joel S. Fogel,
President
WATERWATCH International
www.waterwatchinternational.org

Chairman,
Environmental Affairs
The Explorers Club
www.explorers.org