“Antonio!” Lorena, a Hope Program parent, called for the Hope student. “Antonio!” But her calls went unanswered. Then she heard a low murmur in a nearby room where her husband, Jose, kept carpentry projects. She smiled to herself, knowing now why Antonio wasn’t responding. She walked the short distance to the small workshop and found… Read more
Luis watched his mom collect pesos and count back change to the customer, who had just purchased a pair of shoes. She smiled at Luis’ mom before leaving. He watched his mom write down the purchase on a yellow pad of paper. There’s gotta be an easier way to keep records of what we sell,… Read more
Jose made his way to the front of the crowd and walked slowly toward the large, black elephant. The tall cutout was covered in different colored chalks, looming and difficult to miss. This One21 Youth Retreat was Jose’s first. He and his younger brothers, all living with a foster family within Back2Back’s Foster Care Program,… Read more
Dr. Kevin Browne, a forensic psychologist from the University of Nottingham, visited the Back2Back Mazatlán site in October. Browne’s extensive knowledge on child sexual abuse, abandonment and neglect, attachment theory, and deinstitutionalization greatly benefited the Back2Back staff. Dr. Browne’s vast knowledge on this wide array of topics helped to better inform Back2Back’s methods of care… Read more
Samantha looks at the crowded tables and listens to the loud chatter as it fills every crevice of the dining hall. She smiles as she watches the children eating their food and laughing alongside friends that sometimes feel more like family. Samantha and Raymundo have been working at Salvation Army Children’s Home for a little… Read more
The children at Douglas Children’s Home are learning about giving. In 2016, they gathered together to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. This year, they brought their giving closer to home, in a Secret Santa gift exchange at Douglas. The children chose names out of a hat a… Read more
Five hundred and forty-two of you visited Mazatlán in 2017. Five hundred and forty-two pairs of hands and feet moving, building, and working on behalf of the orphaned and vulnerable child. Five hundred and forty-two of you took part in improving Rancho de los Niños home. Ground was broken in 2017 on two new family-style… Read more
The room was quiet with the exception of the clicking of keyboard keys. Ricardo, a newly hired teacher at the Community Center in Tres Reyes, walked behind the three students as they worked on their computers. The teens were focused and working hard, and this made Ricardo smile. Recently, Iram, Angel, and Rubi, three teens… Read more
Darlene Ruiz, Back2Back Cancun staff, looked around the circle of families holding hands. Their heads were bowed as another staff member, Matt Cooper, spoke a soft prayer over the group and location. She smiled, anticipating the growth to come in this new space, and they all collectively whispered, “Amen.” A home in Cancun has recently… Read more
Felt-safety: a principle from Trauma Competent Care referring to the degree of safety one feels. One may be safe without actually feeling safe. Kaylee Yoder, Back2Back Monterrey staff, walked into Del Norte Children’s Home with a visiting mission team behind her. Eleven-year old David ran up to her. “Kaylee! Today we are going on a field trip… Read more