Hispanic Ministries
Have We a Cathedral Outreach to Dorcas House in Tijuana?
By Andrew Rank
On February 15th Canon Mary Moreno-Richardson led a field trip of six cathedral members to visit the children and “moms” of Dorcas House. Joining her were Canons Joan Ford, Andrew Rank and Barnabas Hunt. Bringing her pastoral care skills to the scene was the Rev. Dorothy Curry. Stephen Velez-Confer and Stephen Bluhm were present to wrap their arms around the business side of the nearly ten year old program.
Imagine 50 children from kindergarteners to high school seniors being clothed, fed, sheltered and most important, loved while one or both of their parents are in the state prison in Tijuana Mexico. Since 1985, Dorcas Ministries has existed because people have embraced the vision of help for these unfortunate children.
Dorcas House operates in Mexico as Casa Hogar Vida Joven and the ministry is committed to providing a quality home and program for the children placed there. The director and staff offer a 24/7 residence in which the children eat, sleep, study, pray and play. They provide a clean, safe, home-like atmosphere along with three healthy meals daily. The children receive support for school success. There is opportunity for recreation at Dorcas House and at local parks and beaches. The children receive group and individual counsel. All this is done for about $6.00 per child per day, US dollars. Our visit to Dorcas House was to learn what we can do as a Cathedral Outreach ministry. We understand that in May, the program may lose some of its funding to the extent that it could be forced to close operations. Canon Mary Mareno Richardson goes there once a week to lead her Guadalupe Art program for the girls and boys. She is also acquainted with the board of Dorcas House in Los Angeles and San Diego. The concern of Scott and Mary for the future of this important ministry brought us face to face with the fact we don’t have to travel across oceans to find third world needs for us to address as the Serve Joyfully part of our five part cathedral Rule of Life: Worship Weekly, Pray Daily, Learn Constantly, Serve Joyfully and its twin sister, Live Generously.
We knew it was a heaven sent mission when we stepped on the property and were immediately hugged by small children who were anxious to show us their neat and clean dorm rooms. Each unit has its own day room. Mary brought a special book to read to the children who quickly gathered around her.
The rest of our group toured the rented buildings with Sylvia Laborin, the director who has been with Dorcas House since it began in 1985. She told us there was a staff of eight women to provide around-the-clock supervision. They are divided into four teams of two each. That means there are two “moms” (as they are called) on the site at all times, including during the night. No staff member sleeps on the premises. Once the children are asleep the night workers do laundry, clean and regularly look in on the youngsters.
The Dorcas House committee members are reviewing the options, the role of volunteers and funding. Keep Dorcas House in your prayers.
(Check the website photo gallery for pictures of our visit and the children under Dorcas House.)
