"My boys at Casa Hogar have challenged me forever. I can no longer see any child-- Mexican or of any other nationality-- with the same eyes as I had before. My boys taught me to look deeper into each person before passing any judgments. They taught me that each person has a story to be told, a reason why they act as they do."
- Shana, Pacific Lutheran University
You will serve approximately 15 hours per week in a local agency or program. As you work with local people and care for those in need, you will find your Spanish skills advance quickly, and your experience and understanding of the culture will be enriched and deepened.
In Guadalajara, many agencies address the needs of street children—those abandoned or abused; those as young as four years old who work in the streets selling gum or other goods; and those whose parents work long hours or are in prison. Many IPSL students work with these children, providing teaching, recreation, and companionship. Other service opportunities include special education, helping in a public hospital, teaching English, or working with Mexican social workers on programs designed to help the poor.
Following are examples of agencies where IPSL students have served in the past or may be able to serve. Other service placements may be available. Your placement will be determined by community and agency needs, as well as your interests, goals, and skills (including Spanish language ability).
An agency that provides help to women with unwanted pregnancies. The women are provided with medical and psychological care as well as education for their other children. They are also provided legal services for adoption for unwanted children. Here students would help teach home economics to these women, which will help them have a better life and to take proper care of their family. This agency is run by Catholic lay people. Fluency in Spanish is required.
Population Served: Pregnant women
Areas of Service:
Teaching/tutoring
/
Education
/
Women's issues
An agency that provides multiple services to families in an economically depressed area of Guadalajara. Services include legal and family counseling, classes for adults and children, artistic workshops (circus acts, painting, drawing, music, etc.), advice for house construction, medical assistance, and more.
Population Served: Low-income families
Areas of Service:
Education
/
Social services
/
Teaching/tutoring
/
Recreation
/
Counseling
An agency whose main objective is to help other agencies obtain the resources they need. In addition, this agency also runs its own programs, which include various activities for the less fortunate. These may include educational, legal, medical, and psychological assistance, as well as other activities aimed at helping those less fortunate. This agency has room for students with all kind of skills and needs.
Population Served: Multiple
Areas of Service:
Education
/
Legal issues/aid
/
Healthcare
A shelter for abandoned children with several physical disabilities. Here volunteers help with daily chores that include personal hygiene (changing diapers, bathing), as well feeding, physical therapy, reading books, general cleaning of the facilities, etc. The shelter is run by a Catholic organization.
Population Served: Abandoned children with disabilities
Areas of Service:
Childcare
/
Companionship
/
Disabilities
/
Healthcare
/
Physical therapy
/
Recreation
/
Special education
A shelter for children who come from poor and broken homes, where they are provided with room and board, assistance in homework after school, psychological counseling and spiritual orientation. Here the student could be a tutor, English teacher, or coach for different disciplines; help take care of the children; or help in different housekeeping activities such as cleaning, sewing, etc. The shelter is in a convenient location for students to get to.
Population Served: Children from poor and broken homes
Areas of Service:
Children & Youth
/
Education
/
ESL
/
Childcare
/
Teaching/tutoring
This is a shelter for street children whose objective is to take children off the streets and away from a negative environment, and lead them to a more productive life. The students interested in working with this agency must speak fluent Spanish because most of the work they do is on the street talking with the children. The volunteers will work at La Casa del Niño Trabajador and around downtown close to where agency is located.
Population Served: Street children
Areas of Service:
Education
/
Recreation
/
Children & Youth
