Centro De Compartimiento

 Year End Report 2007

By Cheryl Broetje

Vision

The Over-arching vision for the development of C.D.C was our desire to nurture the development of a new generation of leaders with a focus on marginalized people groups (due to color, gender, ethnicity, economic situation, etc.) whose future leadership will strengthen the lives of vulnerable individuals and groups in the communities in which they live.

We decided to focus on girls first, due to the fact that 40% of girls are married in Oaxaca State by age 15. It is a well known fact that the mother’s lack of education is the greatest risk to the quality of life of her children. It has been proven in Africa and the Caribbean, that if girls have access to school fees and uniforms, they are more likely to stay in school, in turn reducing the possibility of contracting HIV/AIDS by 50%. While HIV/AIDS cases are still relatively low in Mexico (182,000 cases), only 23% know they are infected. And, the remoteness of many of their villages, mean there is no local school. Some of our girls live “two buses, two pick-up truck rides, and a 3 hour walk” away! 

According to the “Leadership For Policy Change 2003” report, few leadership development programs focus specifically on these groups. To address that goal, CFS provides sustained leadership training and capacity-building opportunities within residential communities of support through the integration of 1) social/spiritual development 2) academic study, 3) community service opportunities designed for the exploration of meaning and purpose in students while serving needs in the community. In addition to students, other participants in these communities of support must include emerging and existing leaders who are all focused on the issue of Christ-centered, leadership development, who approach the development process from different institutional perspectives within a common geographical area. They must have organizational affiliations which can be influential within the communities into which the organization reaches.  

They must be grounded in the art of community building and able to demonstrate commitment to social justice. They must be willing to include newer voices in decision-making as together they address challenges they understand and work together to solve. These people should be comprised primarily from the people group being served. 

The Birth of this Vision in Juchitán, Oaxaca, Mexico

In 2005, a bi-national committee was formed, a non-profit organization was created, land was purchased, and a residential home was constructed for the purpose of creating a  residential home for young women, ages 18-23 to live, work and study. We soon found that there were girls younger than that, who also would benefit from this type of experience.    

And Then There Were Two…

In 2006, a new program for girls in middle school, “Casa Isabel” was founded in the same area, and decided to join us under the C.D.C. non-profit status. There are now two programs operating within the C.D.C organization serving girls from 11-23 years of age.  

In 2007, there were some significant developments:

• A beautiful community event was organized by local board members and held at CDC to officially introduce the greater community to the mission and vision of CDC. Students’ families also attended.
• The first servant leadership training courses for board and staff members of both programs were held in May. In addition, a course was held for interested members of the greater community. We saw an increased capacity by both house mothers to incorporate on-going leadership development as a program priority. Community service activities continued to play an important role in student training.
• Program and Financial reports were detailed, and submitted monthly.
• Casa Isabel sought and received the funds to purchase their own house (they currently rent a house).
• The Juchitán house was given a more personal name: Casa Angeles!
• The internet was hooked up to Casa Angeles this month!!!

Current Challenges We Face

• No further board development has happened during 2007.
• The non-profit status that will allow for fundraising inside Mexico is still in process. As a result, Mexicans are reluctant to make donations to CDC as of yet. (we hope this is resolved by March, 2008.)
• Several of the first girls who started out in our program chose not to continue. Families are concerned that Casa Angeles currently limits the program to 2 years.

• The 2007 student population goals were in turn, not able to be reached. This in turn put off the expansion of a new community classroom at Casa Angeles.

 Some Recommendations for 2008

• Expand the board.
• Identify a manager for a leadership development resources/curriculum/plan and see that consistent, mandatory classes are offered for students in both houses. We recommend this take priority over community service hours spent.
• Develop 2008 goals and the action plan that will achieve them. Monitor progress.
• Make a plan to develop both Mexican and U.S friends and funds for C.D.C. in 2008.
• Hold evaluations every three month for each student based on:
  • spiritual formation
  • academic

We continue to rely on your financial gifts to support these programs...

If you would like to make a year end donation, please click on the donation button:

or send a check to:

Centro de Compartimiento

723 W. Clark St.

Pasco WA 99301