"Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor."

Psalm 22:9

"The following story is about Mayra, the mother of 2 of the students in the Casa de los Pobres USA Scholarship Aid (Adopt a Student) program. Dearikson and Jeoffrey are in elementary and secondary grades.  Mayra is 36 years old. For the last 4 months, she has come to the Casa with intense headaches, and analgesic treatments weren't working for her. It was decided to have an MRI which revealed a pituitary tumor and hemorrhage, for which she is receiving medical treatment to next evaluate about surgical care.

"She and her 4 children live in a half-open under-garage space, lent to them to keep them safe. But it provides almost no protection from rain and windy weather. Mayra is so sick and thin, but she still tries to work cleaning houses. There is no father in the family. These children are trying to do their school homework, although they have so little resources.

"But they are happy in spite of the humid and ugly space where they are living, and the countless stairs to go in and out. They are grateful for this provisional space as the mother has no money to pay rent. We have many saints in our world.

"Thank you for all your loving care and understanding of these little ones, of very poor families. Both of these Scholarship students attain outstanding grades in their classes in spite of the deplorable conditions in which they live!"

How you can help to break the cycle of poverty

Your support for academics is extremely important and provides much needed incentive to the children. They are all so motivated to learn!

Can you Adopt a Student to help one more child break the cycle of poverty?

• For $45 per month, you can give an elementary school child the gift of education.
• $60/month covers costs for middle school
• $80/month supports high school students

Your financial help will sponsor a student to provide school supplies, uniforms, and bus money for the year.

These students dream of the chance to go to school, to learn, to grow up with opportunities. You can give a child this chance.

In-Kind Donations Always Needed

For the people living in the colonias outside the city of Tijuana, Mexico, food is always uppermost in their minds. The Casa is swamped with requests for:

• STAPLE FOOD ITEMS (beans, rice, tuna, peanut butter)
• BLANKETS

Some people are still camping out on the sidewalk outside the Casa the night before to get a better spot in line when breakfast is served. Everyone is always served, but women, children, and the disabled come first. Second and third servings are always available. For some, this is their only meal of the day!

The struggle of these people for the basic necessities of life is unrelenting. There is also a need for:

• New children's socks, children's vitamins, baby Tylenol, and non-prescription items for babies and children
• Diapers, soap

See our list of desired items for donation

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS HELP

You can drop off your in-kind donations at:

Our Lady of Refuge Church, 4226 Jewell Street, San Diego, CA 92109 (Pacific Beach)

Donation Times: Sundays 8:00AM – 2:00PM and Mondays 8:30AM – 3:00PM.

Enter the parking lot on Oliver Avenue. In the building on the right, enter the farthest left door (should say "Casa"). You can leave your donations here. If the door isn't open, please visit the parish office (blue door) across the alley.

The people pray each day to thank God for the help your donations provide. The men, women, and children say THANK YOU! Thank you to those who gave blankets, bedding, and FOOD, along with other necessities to help alleviate the needs of the destitute in Tijuana.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR GOODNESS AND JOY