Casa Vida y Esperanza
"House of Life and Hope"
Our Model
Caregivers live in the house with the children. The house is independently managed, with their own schedules and organizational structure, aligned with CVE’s vision and values, in order to best meet the needs of the children in their house.
Within this family-style childcare, CVE provides discipleship, a high quality education, and training in certain work-related skills depending on their age, abilities, interests, and needs. In addition, the children also receive counseling from a trained counselor.
Overview & Purpose
Mission: We mentor young lives with the truth, love, and hope of Jesus Christ for today and forever.
Governing Values:
Do What's Right...
- Apply biblical truth. John 14:6
- Be honest and tell the truth. Ephesians 4:25
- Be responsible and accountable. 1 Cor. 4:2
- Do what we say we will do. Luke 16:10
...for the Children...
- In their best interest. Ephesians 6:4
- Giving compassion and unconditional love. 1 Peter 3:8
- Respect for their culture. Philemon 14
...to the Honor of God.
- Do all we can and do our best. Col. 3:23
- Serving one another in love. Gal. 5:13
- Speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15
History
In 2005, Casa Vida y Esperanza opened its doors to provide a home to the first of many children. Over the next twelve years, over 70 children were placed in the children's home by DIF, (the equivalent to a U.S. Department of Child Protection Services), some spending weeks and others many years in residential care.
From 2005-2013, CVE experienced rapid growth, going from an initial 7 children to 41 children in 2013.
During the years of 2017-2019, the children’s home experienced several pivotal changes. The Mexican government increased regulations on childcare facilities which prevented children under 6 years of age from living in the homes on the CVE campus without significant remodeling. Additionally, DIF began promoting the reunification of children from institutional type facilities (children's homes and orphanages) with families or family members for the purpose of long-term relational benefits for the child. As DIF made it a priority to move children's cases through the courts, many children were reunited with family members and others were adopted. Along with these changes, the children's home experienced a steady decrease in the number of mission staff from the U.S.
In 2020, the decision was made to no longer receive more children, but to continue the commitment to the children currently placed in the children's home until their graduation or a change in custody.
Statistics
As of June 2024, there are 2 teen girls in residential care at CVE.
Testimony
"It is difficult for any child to suddenly start over in life, especially when important people in your life have died and you have to learn to live in another place, with another family and other children; this kind of circumstance will always be very difficult. Due to the changes that happened in my life as a child and even when I was in the care of CVE, experiencing periodic changes in caregivers and the children I lived with, I sometimes felt uncomfortable and frustrated as anyone would. But this is also how God taught me that he would never change.
I learned that if I moved homes, God would too. The people I lived with would change, but God would not. I would change, but he would stay the same and that is how God became my foundation. Over time, I came to understand that my entire life had been planned by someone and that someone was God. In addition to showing me that, he gave me a family and a community that really every child deserves to have. Even now at 21 years old I identify CVE and its community as a home and a family.
It is a family because a family makes you a part of their lives; they teach you; they guide you; and that is what they have been doing all this time. Even though I have gone through difficult times, I would not change the things that have happened because it was through CVE that I was able to know God, to have a relationship with him and to be able to call him my constant when everything around me is changing. I believe that it is the goal for CVE that one day the seeds planted in all the children who have lived here will flourish and that all of them can give their lives to Christ."
- Alicia Bojorquez (resident at CVE from 8-18 years old, currently a part of CVE's transition program and studying nursing)
Transition
Program
Since 2015, Casa Vida y Esperanza has provided support and guidance to young adults graduating from CVE through the transition program. After turning 18, these young adults are no longer placed at CVE by DIF (the equivalent of DCFS), but can choose to abide by CVE's requirements for participating in the transition program and continue to receive support. During their time in the transition program, these young people may finish high school, attend university, or begin working while still living with a CVE staff member who can mentor them and help them gradually adjust to the realities of adult life.
CVE currently mentors and provides support to 2 young adults in the transition program.
Support Needed
We have been abundantly blessed by the prayers, financial support, and relational investment of so many over the years. As the focus of the ministry continues to shift towards the school and after-school program, we are still committed to the teenagers in residential care. We ask for your continued prayers and support, so that we can continue to serve them well.
Contact Info
