Teen Girls Home

Founded in May of 2002, it occupies the upper part of the Casa Leonel building, and has a capacity for 12 girls of 12 years of age and older. Many of these girls come from Casa Matriz and Casa Belen. We want to meet their needs to the point where they have received the education they desire, have entered the workforce and can integrate themselves into society.

Girls	Brenda Gpe	Cristina	Gabriela	Selena	Gladis	Jackeline	Isabel
Luz	Blanca	Sarahi	Mary Jose

Cristina Elizabeth Rojas Zamora Inicio
January 20th, 1989

Cristina came to the children’s home in September 2000, along with her two brothers, Efrain and Gonzalo, and her sister Nayeli. The children had been cared for in a small town by their elderly grandfather. It had become apparent that he could no longer meet their needs, so the parents appealed to us that we receive the children. Christina’s parents have since been released, but she has decided to stay in the Home. Cristina is a responsible young lady, even though she has found the many changes in her life at times difficult to deal with. She has dedicated a lot of time to learning to play on the tambourine team and is involved in the ministry of worship in the church. She has adapted well to her new home and lifestyle.

Gabriela A. Valencia Mejia Inicio
April 1st, 1991

Gaby’s mom brought her to the orphanage in August 1998, as she was a single mother, who had to work full time, leaving Gaby by herself in the home. Gaby’s older sister, Erika, had run away from home about a year earlier, and had already come to live at the children’s home at that time. Gaby attends a school for special needs children as she has some learning disabilities, and in this environment receives the extra attention she requires. Gaby has participated in Special Olympics, and excelled in the 100 meter sprint, even winning medals on a national level. Gaby has many obstacles ahead of her to overcome but we believe that with the help of the Lord, she has the possibility of a bright future.

Selena Villegas Castillo Inicio
August 18th, 1995

Selena came to the children’s home in August 2003, along with her sister Karina. The girls also have a brother who is living in another shelter in the city. All three children had been abandoned, and the girls had also been living in the other shelter, but we were approached to receive them, as the shelter is only a short-term facility. It was felt that it was in the girls’ best interest to be in a home where there would be more stability and allow them the opportunity to become part of the family here. Selena was a very quiet girl when she arrived, hardly speaking, and keeping to herself. She has since become more outgoing and is building relationships with the other girls and workers in the home.

Jackeline Josefina Zamora Rosales Inicio
January 26th, 1994

Jaqueline arrived at Hogar de Amor in October 2006, along with her brother Miguel and her sisters Erika and Paola. The children are here because their mom is single and has never taken on the responsibility of her children. The children were apprehended by social services and placed in another institution in the city. After spending a few years there, it was necessary that Jaqueline leave because she was now 12 years old, and that institution would only care for children up to that age. When the family became separated, all of the children were very sad, and social services approached us to take in the family, knowing that we accept teenagers. Although the children are situated in 3 different homes, they are all located beside each other, and they have had lots of opportunity to be together as a family. Jaqueline is getting along well in the teen girls home. She quickly adapted to the day to day activities and has made friends with the other young ladies in the home.

Ma. Isabel Delgado Monrroy Inicio
June 21st, 1994

Isabel first arrived at our home for girls in Ciudad Guzman. She was only there for a few months when we had to close the home, so she chose to move to Colima and enter our Teen Girls’ Home, rather than return to live with her mother.

Isabel is with us because she was very neglected. She had been living in a small town, and because nobody cared for her, she spent a lot of time in the streets, which was an unsafe situation for a young girl.

Isabel has adapted to the home and is very happy here. She is a dedicated student, she is quick to show her appreciation, and is making the best of all the opportunities that God has given her. It is a joy to see her contagious smile.

Luz Guzman Camarena Inicio
January 4th, 1990

“Lucy” as we affectionately call her, arrived in August 2003. She came to us from the “Casa Belen”, Grupo Amor’s formation home for young women. Lucy never knew her parents. She grew up in an aunt’s home, but she never knew a mother’s love, or felt like she was part of the family. They never bought her a toy; she just played with dolls that her cousins discarded. The one time she received a Christmas gift was at age seven, and it was a sweater that she needed, but when she tried it on it was too small, so Lucy had to give it away. She went to school until third grade, but as soon as she was able to work around the house, she was taken out of school. Lucy decided to leave and live in an abandoned house. She then met a man who directed her to the “Casa Belen” where she lived for 10 months before coming to us. Lucy is a happy young lady who loves to in-line skate, help out in the kitchen and serve others. She has many dreams and goals for her future, which include studying nursing and having a family of her own.

Blanca Itzel Magañanez Melendez Inicio
December 12th, 1997

Blanca arrived at the children’s home in August 2007. She was placed in the teen girl’s home, even though she was a little young for this home, as there was no room for her in the Casa Matriz, and her need for care was great. Blanca is with us because her father abandoned the family, leaving her mother to care for Blanca and her younger sister. The mother was not able to earn enough to provide for her family, and while she was working, Blanca was in a dangerous situation because she was often left alone. Blanca is mature for her age, very organized, and enjoys doing household chores. She is intelligent and doing well in school. Even though she is the youngest in the home, her maturity has allowed her to make friends and fit in well with the other girls. We believe that as Blanca trusts Jesus, that He will guide her and show her His plan for her life.

Gladis Rivas Zambrano Inicio
October 8th, 1991

Gladys arrived in September 2003, from the “Casa Belen”, Grupo Amor’s formation home for young women. Gladys suffered a great deal as a little girl. Her mother rejected her because she wanted a boy instead, and left Gladys with the grandmother. The grandma verbally abused her, telling her she was a bother and worthless, a mistake since the day she was born. Only her grandpa showed her love, but when he was at work she was left to the grandma’s ridicule. Gladys never went to school, but begged in the streets for money for food and video games. One of her aunts finally rescued her from the streets and she eventually ended up in the Casa Belen. Gladys is slowly recovering her self-esteem and is beginning to feel loved. She now knows that God loves her, and that she was born for a purpose. Now that she feels part of a family and knows she is loved, she enjoys helping out in the home and is going to school where she is learning to read and write. She hopes to one day be a teacher and teach other children as she is being taught.

HERLINDA SARAHI CARDENAS MELENDEZ Inicio
March 2^nd, 1998
“Sara” came to live in the children’s home in August 2008. She is with us at her own request! Her parents separated when she was 2 years old, and she stayed with her mom. Her mom has had other partners since then, and Sara has two little brothers, one who is living with the grandparents and the other still lives with the mom.

Sara was often left to care for her little brother while her mom worked. She missed a lot of school because of this. Her mom would often arrive very frustrated from her work and Sara was afraid of her.

Sara is very happy in the Teen Girls’ Home, and while she misses her mom and her brother, she prays that God will protect them. Sara hopes to be a doctor one day.

MARIA JOSE ALCANTAR COASTILLO
January 28^th, 1996 Inicio

Mary Jose “Mary Jose” is with us for the second time. She originally came with her little brother Eduardo when her single mother found that she was unable to support her four children, even though she was working long hours. The two oldest children stayed in the family home.

Mary Jose had been with us for 5 years when she decided to return home. She had only been there for 4 months, when she became uncomfortable and realized that their lifestyle was very different from what she had been taught in the children’s home.

Since Mary Jose returned to the home, she has a new attitude. Her grades have improved, and she is almost always seen with a big smile on her face. While she still loves her family, she knows that she is loved and protected by her “family” here at Hogar de Amor.

BRENDA GUADALUPE LAZARO GUTIERREZ Inicio
April 12^th, 1997

Brenda arrived at the children’s home in August, 2008, along with her younger brother Isaac. She is in the Teen Girls’ home and Isaac is in our home for teen boys. Brenda was in the same dilemma that many of our children find themselves - the father abandons the family, leaving the mother to provide for the children and care for them at the same time. In order for Brenda’s mother to work, she had no daycare, and had to leave her young children alone by themselves for long periods of time.

Brenda has lived through some difficult situations, but in spite of that, she is very adaptable to new things, and is eagerly taking in all she is learning about the love of God.