Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are grateful for all the opportunities we’ve had to make an impact on our communities in Tijuana as well as ours at home. Although our build season is coming to an end, we are preparing with excitement for our winter festivities!
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Meet Kirsten Chaplin
Kirsten has been volunteering with Casas de Luz since she was a freshman in high school in 2013. In 2014, she raised the funds to build a home and never stopped! She is now a third year at UCSD and also a master carpenter! Kirsten loves spending her time in TJ meeting and building for new families. Because of her passion for Casas de Luz as well as organization, we have brought her on to our team to help us grow and reach more families on both sides of the border. It's an exciting growth period for Casas de Luz and we couldn't be happier about this huge change and step into the future!
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Heaven on Earth NOW
We have recently partenered with
Heaven on Earth NOW
, a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to provide a fresh start for families all over the world. They have provided us with a grant that allows us to create individualized "House to Home" packages. These gifts truly turn our houses into a home, including something special for each member of the family.
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As part of our new high school leadership team Casas de Luz would like to recognize one intern a month for their outstanding work and dedication. This month we would like to recognize...
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Sophie Park
Although Sophie is new to Casas de Luz she doesn't let that hold her back! While starting a new club at La Costa Canyon High School, Sophie is working with two other leaders on a car workshop initiative. She has gone above and beyond juggling these two projects and we would like to recognize her for her hard work. Congratulations Sophie!
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Bringing Dental Care to Tijuana
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Alex Dryland, one of our leaders, is working on a program to help provide dental care and educate families on dental health in Tijuana. He has collected over 1200 dental supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss. We appreciate all of the local dental clinics that have donated and can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on the community. A special thanks to Warner Pediatrics and Dentistry, Davis Pediatric Dentistry and Kieffer Orthodontics for all their help!
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In a partnership with Koya Project, leader Griffin Clark has designed and patented a functioning aquaponics system to provide fresh vegetables and fish to the Faro de Luz community center. He intends to have this system running by the end of the year, so that those living near Faro de Luz can go into the new year with a supply of fresh foods!
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Gonzalez Maldonado Family
All women's build on October 6,7.
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Gonzalez Garcia Family
YMCA Trailblazers build on October 13, 14.
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Arteaga Torres Family
Rosenthal Family build on October 20, 21.
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Got leftover candy?
Don't let it go to waste! Drop off any leftover or unwanted candy at St. James Catholic Church Donation sheds. Your candy will help fill piñatas at our Christmas parties!
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It's that time of year again! Every December we host a holiday party at our community centers which involve arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and much more. We love filling stockings in Tijuana and we need YOUR help! We are looking for donations of new or gently used gifts for children ages 3 months to 16 years old. Drop off your gifts at the St. James Catholic Church Donation sheds before December 2nd!
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Hotel Toiletries
Do you have extra hotel toiletries? Bring them to Casas de Luz! During your next hotel stay be sure to grab those toiletries and help us fill stockings for Christmas!
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Holiday Botox Night
November 20
It’s time for our second annual Holiday Cosmetics Night! Leader Charlotte Cunningham has partnered with the Comprehensive Dermatology Group for a fundraiser where patients can buy botox for a discounted price, and all proceeds will go towards Casas de Luz. On November 20th, Dr. Bari Cunningham will be selling botox for 13$ a unit and have a 20% discount on all fillers, contact
Charlotte
for more information.
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Sagredo Family
November 10, 11
Mission Hills Church
The Sagredo family's house burned down two years ago. Since then they have been living in little rooms built out of scrap wood. Little Emily loves to color and play with her baby brother Dilan!
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Ramirez Family
November 17, 18
Knopp Family
Luis lost his job last year when the factory closed down. Since then he opened a store with his brothers and runs a church that helps the community. He has not been able to make enough money to build a house so they are currently living with his mother.
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Christmas Parties in TJ
Ho ho ho! We have our annual Christmas parties coming up at Faro de Luz and in Cumbres. We always have such fun playing games, decorating cookies, giving gifts and more! Faro de Luz will have their party on December 2. Keep on the look out for more information about how you can help and when the Cumbres party will be!
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Cross Cultural Youth Group
We are reviving our Cross Cultural Connections youth group and would like to invite any and all bilingual high school students! Connect with students in Tijuana, teach them about your culture and learn about theirs. Stay informed for our first group.
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Community Center Classes
Casas de Luz leaders are beginning a new program to teach children at the Faro de Luz community center about different topics. These topics range from creative expression, physical and mental health, how to be a good friend, and more. Stay up to date for more information!
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Casas de Luz 5K
What's more fun than a jog with your friends in the beautiful outdoors while supporting Casas de Luz? Keep your eyes peeled for more information about a Casas de Luz 5K!
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As per usual we always accept any in-kind donations with great excitement! Contact
Kathy Faller to schedule a pick up or drop anything off at the St. James Catholic Church donation sheds.
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Donation Spotlight
Windows!
Are you remodeling? Save your windows! We love to recycle windows because it makes each house unique and it stops them from piling up at the landfill! Windows allow families to stay cool in the summer and add another dimension to our homes. It doesn't matter what size, we'll take it!
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St. James Catholic Church Donation Sheds
625 South Nardo Avenue Solana Beach, CA
Sheds are at the end of the parking lot of the church if coming from the North. If you are coming from the South, take Via de la Valle and drive towards the ocean. On Del Mar Downs Road, turn right and continue until the end of the road where you will turn left. Drive left up the hill and the sheds will be on your left! There is a rope protecting our sheds from being a dump zone, so feel free to drop off your
usable
donations right there!
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We would like to thank you to all of our build teams of the month and all of the people who have contributed to Casas de Luz this month! We couldn't do it without you! Here is a little thank you from Brandon from the Gonzalez Garcia family.
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Casas de Luz | casasdeluz.org
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