Casas de Luz Newsletter June 2021
Happy summer, Casas de Luz community! We hope you are all doing well as we transition back to a more "normal" life. Individuals, families, and communities continue to enjoy support from our programs on both sides of the border. Thank you for making it possible to continue this support. This month we were so happy to see some of our builders swinging a hammer again and we are counting down the days until we can all be out on the build site! Stay tuned for more information about returning to building in the next few months.
Sleeping Cottages
Practice Build
Over the course of 3 weekends, we built another sleeping cottage as a practice build for the master carpenters. While we are all well trained in building our 16x20 homes in Mexico, it took us years to perfect the process. We have now begun the process of perfecting the construction of sleeping cottages and are enjoying learning along the way. This sleeping cottage is providing a temporary solution to a family of Haitian refugees who were struggling to know what their next steps were. We are so excited this is only the beginning of what will provide hope to dozens of individuals and families.
Cumbres
Fun with Learning
As always, the staff at Cumbres continue to make learning fun whether it be with games, art, or other creative tools. Families in Cumbres continue to receive support through monthly groceries which continues to be so important as the end of the pandemic isn't as near on this side of the border.
New Floors
For the past few months, the community in Cumbres has been working together to tile the floors of the church. Recently they finished tiling the entire floor of the church and completed building a bathroom! Your donations are what make this process possible, of making our community centers and churches even more beautiful.
Faro de Luz
Mother's Day
Mother's Day in Mexico is on May 10 every year. Our community at Faro de Luz enjoyed celebrating all of the beautiful mothers and recognized their dedication to their children and to the Faro de Luz community. It has been amazing to watch these women develop as mothers over the years, truly taking responsibility for their community and working towards growth.
Embroidery Lessons
This past month the women at Faro de Luz have enjoyed attending embroidery lessons with Carmen. They have learned to make flowers out of ribbon and continue to develop their embroidery and sewing skills. These skills are so important to empower each individual in the community. Since they started sewing classes years ago, several women in the community center have continued to sew and embroider items to sell.
Donations
Donation Sheds at St. James Catholic Church
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! Please contact us so we know to expect it!
A UUFSD social action project.