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Expressing the Christian Faith Through Acts of Compassion! |
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Deeds of Love |
Building Renovation for Casa Juan Bosco,Aguadilla, Puerto Rico |
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Thanks to the precious time, effort and dedication of many members from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, as well as the financial support provided by the friends of Deeds of Love, the building renovation for Casa Juan Bosco was completed.
This building is now serving as an activities center for the 156 children that attend the daily after school program that Casa Juan Bosco offers. The mission of Casa Juan Bosco is to prevent the incidence of crime among children and teens that live in very high-risk areas (typically the poorest areas in Aguadilla with the highest crime rates). This mission is achieved through the reinforcement of high ethical values that guide the participant’s decisions and their involvement in sports, arts, and cultural & recreational activities that maximizes the use of their potential.
The project involved repairing and sealing the roof, painting, installing electricity, installing a ceiling, and some basic repairs to the structure. In addition to the over $5,000 invested, members of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen devoted over 100 man-hours to make this building a place where the youth of Aguadilla can find support and involve themselves in enriching and productive activities.
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Deed Project Summary — Winter 2007 |
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Members of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen hard at work cleaning and sealing the roof, power spraying the walls and painting. |
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Mass was celebrated during the opening ceremony on January 30, 2007.
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Many recreational activities are now available including table games, video games, and a doll house among others. |
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This building is adjacent to Casa Juan Bosco and was recently leased with the goal of converting it into the much needed activity center. The building’s west wall is adjacent to the courtyard of Casa Juan Bosco.
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This is the newly built building that will house Casa Juan Bosco. Until this year, the program operated in borrowed spaces of a local Catholic School. Construction was possible via a grant with funds obtained from the Tobacco lawsuit and settlement several years ago. This project has been in the works for seven years. Although this building has enough space for the computer center, the library, classrooms, the cafeteria, and administrative officers, it lacks the space needed to house the activities center where a significant portion of the program will be conducted.
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"Holy living consist in doing God's work with a smile." -Mother Teresa |
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Picture displayed on one of the walls in the center. |
Deed Project Proposal — Fall 2006 |
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The purpose of this Deed Project is to renovate a building adjacent to Casa Juan Bosco. This building will serve as an activity center for over 100 children and teens. The renovation includes sealing the roof, reinforcing the structure, stucco work, and painting. Local volunteers will conduct all painting and roof sealing work. The project will cost $5,040 for materials and the salaries of two construction workers.
”Tiempo Libre: Tiempo Para Crecer” or “Free Time: Time to Grow.” This is Casa Juan Bosco’s Theme.
Casa Juan Bosco is an education and prevention program for children and teens. It provides an atmosphere of happiness, simplicity, and friendship. It is a mission of the Instituto Hijas de Maria Auxiliadora (a congregation of nuns also called Hermanas Salesianas). The mission of Casa Juan Bosco is to prevent the incidence of crime among children and teens that live in very high-risk areas (typically the poorest areas in Aguadilla with the highest crime rates). This mission is achieved through the reinforcement of high ethical values that guide the participant’s decisions and their involvement in sports, arts, and cultural & recreational activities that maximizes the use of their potential. All of these activities are achieved in a constructive and harmonious manner.
The objectives of Casa Juan Bosco are: · To reinforce self-esteem and to positively employ the participant’s free time and energy in a way that they can develop their talents and abilities.
· To prevent school dropout incidence and failure rates through encouragement and active tutoring.
· To facilitate the development of a healthy, positive, and non-vulnerable personality by taking care of psychological needs.
· To offer the ability to assimilate a hierarchy of values based on the Gospel to allow them to opt for a lifestyle that is honest and honorable.
Programs available include: · Tutoring · Library services · Crafts · Computer classes · Basketball and volleyball tournaments · Music classes · Table games · Theater, dance and choir · Educational briefings · Value formative classes · Educational trips · Artistic and recreational activities
In a nutshell, Casa Juan Bosco takes over 100 children and teenagers off the streets after school and gives them highly productive and very well planned activities that helps them grow and become productive and contributing members of society. The program runs concurrent with the local school year and school enrollment is a requirement to participate in the program (this gives them an incentive to stay in school). The only source of income for Casa Juan Bosco comes from a thrift shop operated with donations from the surrounding communities. The funds generated from the thrift shop pays for the snacks provided as part of the program. All other funding comes from people like you and I who feel this is a very important mission that deserves our support. |
