Arrow Outreach Updates and Transitions for 2022
It has been a while since we shared some news from our organization, but we are proud to say that operations are moving smoothly, and the Arrow team is supporting the community of Juarez throughout the pandemic. We do have some bittersweet news to share, though. Our great founders, Rich and Cheryl Mackey, are transitioning away from leading the organization. We are so very thankful to each of them for their years of service and leadership to Arrow and helping the people of Juarez.
That was the bitter part of the news, now on the sweet! By the end of 2021, Arrow Outreach will become the Arrow Outreach Foundation Fund, a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), under the umbrella of the El Paso Community Foundation (EPCF). Becoming a Foundation Fund will allow Arrow to reduce administrative costs and simplify organizational management by utilizing EPCF’s support services.
Our amazing onsite leadership will continue, but now with even more support from the EPCF. We appreciate your continued support of Arrow as we transition into this new phase. Although some things have changed, we will always put God first and foremost as we work to help his people.
Please see the two attachments for the full press release and FAQ.
Winter Arrow Outreach Update
Christmas Celebrated Despite COVID Challenges
Ultima Milla distributed gifts and food at the Toribio Center and at two churches, Verdad y Redención and Verdad y Salvación. Pastor Jesus Nuñez prepared piping hot pans of pizza for a small gathering of families to celebrate the Christmas season at the Tocando Puertas Center. Thanks to the generous individuals and churches that helped make these Christmas celebrations possible.
Donor Tax Receipts Sent Out
Tax receipts were mailed out to 2020 donors in late January. If you have not received your tax receipt, please contact Arrow Outreach at arrowoutreach@gmail.com.
Arrow Outreach Board Zooms to Juarez
Zoom meetings have allowed the Board to stay connected with its Juarez partners during the pandemic. Here are some highlights from the January meeting:
· The city is currently at COVID-19 Level Yellow.
· Students are taking online classes and pairing up to share internet access until the city is at level green.
· City curfews limit movement on the weekends.
· The first round of COVID-19 vaccines is being administered to essential medical workers.
· The civil associations are operating their centers at 3% capacity per government mandate.
Civil Associations Focus on Community Needs
Tocando Puertas is providing food to families and computer lab access to students studying online.
Ultima Milla is providing food and shelter at the Toribio Center to migrants who have been waiting at the border for many months.
Yo y Mi Casa, with social distancing measures in place, is the central hub for the distribution of the Starfish Scholarships.
Over 200 Starfish Scholars
The estimated cost of the Starfish Scholarships for over 200 students in 2021 is $65,200.
Please help us meet our goal by making a gift today.
Giving Tuesday 2020
This #GivingTuesday as we reflect on the past year, we are amazed at the work Arrow Outreach and its partners have accomplished despite tremendous challenges. Life changing work like providing food to families in need, tablets for students in the scholarship program for at home learning and sewing masks at the height of the pandemic. We can change lives daily thanks to YOU! Without your donation, people like Citlali would be living a completely different life. Read her powerful story here.
TODAY we need YOU to show up again for the children, families and individuals being cared for by Arrow Outreach and their partner ministries. Please give any amount to help us continue to make a difference for the people of Juarez.
Arrow Outreach Update
This year, 2020, has been tumultuous for the entire world. For ministries, it is a year of relying on our faith like never before. Through the ups and downs, we still believe in God’s guiding hand over the mission of our organization and are grateful for the powerful progress we are able to make in Juarez.
Starfish Scholarship Program:
Vicky Barandiaran, along with helper Yadira Rivera, now run the Starfish program in Juarez while Steve Williams has taken over the reins on the U.S. side of the border. The book is closed on the 2018/19 school year, all receipting completed and ready for auditing. Eager students are now receiving their initial money, which for many of them this is coming as a wifi-enabled tablet allowing them to study from their homes. One student, so overcome with emotion, cried when he received the tablet.
Yo Y Mi Casa: The ministry center run by Felipe and Vicky Barandiaran
As part of the ministry, Vicky continues to teach English classes online, while hoping to re-open music and guitar classes in October. Food is distributed to the families who come seeking help, especially during this time of COVID, with your donation, progress can be made to help the community in these ways. The center has also set up a burial cost fund to help families who have lost a loved one.
Meanwhile, Felipe is experimenting with a greenhouse and blessing families with some plants. COVID has slowed down the plan for a rooftop greenhouse on Yo y Mi Casa's roof.
Tocando Puertas: The center run by Pastor Jesus and Lety, his wife
Vast space at the center has allowed Pastor Jesus to take a more active response despite some COVID restrictions. The music ministry has continued with the church band practicing and playing at services, where a maximum of 10 people take turns attending weekly. Food is being delivered to homes and made available for local kids at Tocando Puertas. With limited outdoor and educational resources due to COVID, the center is offering outdoor programs for kids including basketball, soccer and a girls club. The center continues to be the heart of the community thanks to your donation that goes to serving the children and adults in the school and government gaps.
La Ultima Milla, Supports outreach ministries at the Redencion Church and the Toribio Family Center
The Toribio Daycare is not open due to in-person school not in session yet. Toribio continues to be a haven for immigrants. Jerion and others search for additional food that can supplement the limited Mexican government rations. They assist the immigrants to find temporary work, who await hopefully a more permanent solution. Computer classes are taught online, and the ladies sewing ministry continues to sew masks.
Arrow is continuing to soldier on and carry new responsibilities due to the virus as it fills the gap left by the schools and government. That is what God has called us to do. We hope God is also calling you. Your support is needed more than ever for us to continue. Have you seen on our website and social channels the difference that even the smallest donation can make? We ask for your prayers and donations as we continue to maintain these ministries in Juarez. Thank you.
Citlali's Story
Citlali’s Story
Citlali Vázquez Escobar, a 2013 university graduate, is one of many students whose lives have been impacted by Arrow Outreach’s Starfish Scholarship Program over the years. Citlali’s family made sacrifices to fund her education beyond the sixth grade, but when she was only 14 her mother told her she would have to drop out of school because the family could no longer afford to pay tuition.
“I started crying because one of my biggest dreams had always been to graduate from college,” Citlali said. “I told my mom that God would help me and I would be able to achieve my dream.”
After hearing about her situation, Citlali’s church offered to help her find a way to pay for school and gave her a place to stay so she could avoid the long commute from her home. It was then that Citlali became a Starfish Scholarship recipient.
“Wanting to demonstrate with my grades how thankful I was, I gave my best effort,” Citlali said. “It wasn't always easy. Like all young people, I had some problems.”
Citlali explained, “When my mom died in 2008, I was even sadder because she wouldn't be able to see me succeed. I promised my mom that I would finish school for her. But I wasn't doing well emotionally. I got pregnant in 2009 and thought that they wouldn't continue giving me a scholarship. But when they found out, they told me that it should make me want to work harder since I would have someone else for whom I would have to make a good life. My son has given me the happiness I desired and the necessary company to continue.”
The death of her mother and birth of her son the following year made Citlali question whether her dream of being a college graduate was realistic. With the continued support of the Starfish Scholarship Program, she pushed through to graduate, with honors, with a teaching degree.
“The moment that I will never forget all my life is when they said ‘Graduate Citlali Vázquez Escobar’ at the graduation ceremony, and there it was, the big day I had been waiting for,” Citlali said. “It's not easy to be a single mother, be a university student, and work at the same time; but it's not impossible either. I hope that my story will serve as inspiration for other girls like me. With all my heart I thank you for believing in me and in my ability to achieve this great success that I longed for. Thanks to God for putting Arrow Outreach and its Starfish Scholarship Program in my life.”
Updates During COVID-19
During this uncertain time for our world, we wanted to provide you a quick update on what life currently looks like within Arrow Outreach. We are thankfully all healthy and following closely the guidelines set forth by the government. We have had to adjust the way we provide but more than ever our services are necessary to help the those in the community. Our mission to serve the people of Juarez will never change.
We are grateful that we have enough designated funds to complete our present school year. Due to our cancelled fundraiser, our funding for other programs is running low. Would you consider a donation to our general fund?
New Plan for Feeding the Elderly
The Verdad y Redención Presbyterian Church dining room, which has been used to feed the elderly twice a week, sits empty in an effort to reduce community spread of COVID-19. The feeding program now has a different format thanks to the Ultima Milla organization. Canned goods and basic staples are being delivered to the elderly at their homes.
Church Members and Sheltering in Place
Just like churches in the U.S. and around the world, the churches in Juárez are making adjustments for worship. Pastor Manny and his wife posted their photo on Facebook with a reminder to “Stay at Home”. Families are being encouraged to hold home worship services. On Facebook Live musicians from Pastor Felipe’s congregation are playing hymns while local pastors are sharing sermons.
Making Masks for Those in Need
In more recent years, mission teams have led sewing workshops, provided sewing machines and fabric for the women to develop their own projects. Today the women at Yo y Mi Casa and at Tocando Puertas are using their sewing skills to make face coverings for health professionals and the community.
A Word on Giving
As this newsletter was being prepared Robert Hay, Jr. with the Presbyterian Foundation, provided an interesting article on April 17, 2020, called, “Share your CARES money (if you can)”, through the communication of PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission. He pointed out that the stimulus checks have been sent to some who desperately need the money. Then there are those who are doing financially OK during this crisis still having a steady income. One may even be saving money on eating out, gasoline and entertainment due to sheltering in place. Do you find yourself in the latter position? Could you do something good with this unexpected money? Consider giving it to someone in need, a nonprofit or a church that is providing ministry during this global pandemic. It is a way of being a good steward of what has been entrusted to you when so many are in crisis. Click the “donate” link at the top of the page to give to Arrow Outreach.