Stories
Who We Are
Melissa Canez
The greatest love story of all...
One of our founders, Melissa Canez, tells the story of volunteering at a small Puerto Vallarta orphanage for girls in 2011... she mentions walking through the door and seeing a “sea of angels” gathering around her. She knew she wanted to help but wasn’t sure how. Over the next nine months, Melissa volunteered as an English and Recreation teacher until the orphanage faced being shut down by authorities in June, 2012. The girls were to be displaced as there was no other option in the area for teenage girls. On the request of all 13 girls, State and Municipal Child Protection Agents contacted Melissa to ask for help, if even temporarily. With the support of Melissa’s and husband Juan’s families, they were able to open their home to all thirteen girls. The name, 'Corazón de Niña' was chosen by Juan who said the heart of a little girl is pure and unconditional love. She recalls the day the girls arrived...
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The day the girls ran through our front door, I couldn't feel my legs, realizing the magnitude of the responsibility.
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All they brought with them that day was a small backpack with an oversized green towel inside. The promise of clothes, shoes, monthly funding, never materialized and reality soon set in. Faith has made this possible, knowing that we are never alone, He is always here and all we have to do is put our hands up and that beautiful energy flows in summoning angels hard at work giving us the strength to carry on, against all odds.
Over the years, the family has grown and the home has grown with it, thanks to the support of loyal sponsors who share the vision. What was once a two-bedroom rancher purchased by Melissa´s mother Sandra as a retirement get-away, is now a three-level home with room for 100 children, classrooms on the upper floor and living space in between. Plans for the future include completion of student housing for university students in Corazón’s Scholarship Program, a Green School and Cultural Center for Corazon´s children, youth and members of the surrounding community.
With your help, we continue to change the course of history... one child at a time.
Lessly Palomera
My name is LESSLY YAMILET PALOMERA GUTÍERREZ and I am 21 years old. I had always dreamed of being a teacher and the Montessori Method was very dear to my heart. When I heard about Corazón's Scholarship Program and that I could actually assist in the classroom while pursuing my career as an educator, I was very excited. The Foundation found a sponsor who covered all my school fees and also extended a monthly grant which enabled me to support myself and my son while going to school.
Without this, I would not be standing here before you today saying I am officially the Primary Montessori Guide at FUNDACIÓN CORAZÓN DE NIÑA, my second home, where they believed in me, in my dreams, which I can say today have become a reality.
My commitment is to continue with the Mission of educating other boys and girls like myself, who dream of being a better person, a professional who contributes to the formation of Leaders with a Cause able to positively transform our society.
Special thanks to my parents and Mrs. Melissa Canez for the unconditional support and the huge opportunity to be part of the extraordinary Corazón de Niña team... wherein we transform lives, one child at a time.
Ofelia Godinez, Psychologist
Puedo decir con orgullo que desde el año 2014 he colaborado en la “Fundación Corazón de Niña”, en donde se me ha otorgado la oportunidad y confianza de dar atención psicológica a los niños, niñas y adolescentes que están a su cargo.
Una de las razones por las que me mantengo firme y con convicción en la colaboración y apoyo, es por el gran compromiso que puedo ver por parte de directivos y fundadores en buscar que los niños, niñas y adolescentes tengan una esperanza, haciendo valer su derecho a un desarrollo optimo en todas las esferas de su vida, la física, académica y psicológica.
Lo mejor que podemos aportar a este grupo vulnerabilizado por las diferentes circunstancias que no han elegido vivir, es proporcionales la oportunidad de aprender y desarrollar habilidades de afrontamiento en todos los ámbitos de su vida y para toda la vida. Todos encaminados por un bien social. Todos con un 'corazón de niña'.
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“Solo con el corazón se puede ver bien; lo esencial es invisible a los ojos”.
El principito – Antoine de Saint - Exupéry
Antonio Ventura
Hello my name is Jorge Antonio Ventura Ruiz. When I arrived at this Foundation, Mamá was so kind to me and my brothers. On my first day of school, I was intrigued and very nervous because I had only studied to Grade 4 and could barely read and write and could not multiply or divide.
My goal was to push myself to learn and I completed grade 5 and 6 in one year. Then Mamá presented me with a challenge, to do Grade 7 and 8 in the next year and this is how I reached my objective. When this schoolyear started I knew it would be difficult - Grade 9! Many times I was annoyed with myself when I didn´t understand certain concepts but I did it.
This is why I am so grateful to Mamá as she was the one who believed in me. I give thanks to my teachers and classmates who were so patient and supportive. I will continue to do my best and continue achieving my goals. Thank you!
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Kendi Michel
Hello I am Kendi Michel Vazquez Ortiz, I am 16 years old. Today I would like to share with you that the bad things in life are not forever. I have also discovered that in the most unexpected places opportunities exist that can change your life forever. I thank God every day for having allowed me to arrive at FUNDACION CORAZON DE NIÑA, where I have received so many tools to overcome my fears and pain, where I have been given a different vision of the world. Thanks to the Foundation, today I am able to trust people and am confident I can achieve anything I set out to do. I hope one day to be able to counsel girls and young women like myself, and tell them to have faith that with love and understanding, anything is possible. My wish for all of you, fellow classmates, is that you allow yourselves to be loved and guided. Many thanks, Michel.
Silvana Valdez
Good morning, my name is Sonia Silvana Aviles Valdez and I am 14 years old. I would like to tell you about how my life has been since I arrived at the Foundation. When I first got here, I thought this was not my home, but in time I realized that it is thanks to Mama Melissa I could meet marvellous people, make beautiful friendships and I learned what it was to be a good person, to be respectful and ask for everything with a please and thank you. Thanks to Mamá Melissa, Papá Juan and our teachers I know so many things and have learned so much. I have learned something from every one of you. Thanks to the Foundation, I value my education and am so grateful to God for having put mi in this house that is now my home. Thank you for your support and for every minute of your time that you give me to learn something new.
Gerardo Segura
My career in Fashion Design at UNE was made possible by Corazón's Scholarship Program. I Manage the Corazón Boutique and teach physical education. I am fortunate to live in Corazón's Student Housing. Making a difference with children and youth, being a leader, has given me so much in terms of Management skills and my own Personal Development. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
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Andres Rosales
Thank you for the huge support you have given me over the years, my journey. I have learned to value what it is to have a family, work hard and be organized both personally and professionally. This I learned in the many opportunities I have had in the Foundation. Thanks to this I will continue learning and in the future help others, just as you have helped me. My gratitude is infinite for all the support and may God always bless you. I have officially finished Grade 12 and will begin my Accounting Degree next year. Thanks to Corazón de Niña I am ready to take the next step in my life to learn, life and feel what it is like to be a responsable adult. In my mind and heart will always remain the amazing memory of all the wonderful moments I lived at Corazón. Muchas gracias!
Pamela Lopez
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
My name is Pamela and I am a graduate of Arkos University from Tourism Business Administration. I am one of the first 13 girls who arrived at the Foundation ten years ago when I was 13 years old.
At that time I would never had imagined myself to become who I am today, to be part of a huge family and stand here before all of you with secured employment, my driver's license and months away from my University English Certification.
It is not easy to find the words that transmit the emotion we feel at this time in our lives when we take the next defining step toward our futures, happy to know something more about who we are, what we are going to do and what we are going to offer the world in which we have grown up. It is a big responsability but also an honor for those of us who have been preparing ourselves for this moment for years.
For this reason, I want to give thanks to all of you who are at our sides, applauding our successes, also those who could not be here today but were there when I needed them, my Padrinos the Zollingers from Utah, also everyone who gave us the push we needed to keep going with our goals and all the donors that support Corazón de Niña so that we can continue to transcend.
Special thanks to Mamá Melissa for everything she does so that we will be good people and to prepare us for our lives, our futures.
Thank you God for putting so many angels in our lives to lead the way to success!
Gerardo Segura
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
"Today I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Corazón de Niña Foundation for its unconditional support in my education. Thanks to its generosity and commitment to the future of young people, I have been able to achieve my goal of finishing my studies.
The Corazón de Niña Foundation has been a beacon of hope on my path, giving me the opportunity to grow and develop in an environment of learning and growth. Their support has not only been financial, but also emotional, as they have given me the confidence and motivation to move forward.
I especially want to thank all members of the Foundation for their dedication and passion for making a difference in the lives of others. Their work is an inspiring example of how solidarity and commitment can change lives. Today, upon finishing my studies, I feel great pride and gratitude. I know it would not have been possible without the support of the Corazón de Niña Foundation. I hope to one day return this support, inspiring other young people to follow their dreams and never give up. Thank you so much!
Damaris Palomera
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
Returning to school was a great challenge, after so many years, I did not remember much about the material and it was difficult, my motivation was mainly my daughters and my husband, my daughters because I want to give them a good example, my husband because he has always supported me and believed in me and also my parents because I want them to feel proud of me. I want to improve as a student, I like to investigate, study, that is why I would like to continue with a university degree. I want to thank God for putting me in this place, thanks to the Foundation for opening their doors to their Becas Program at Fundación Corazon de Niña, which is very important in the community, because it not only supports minors, but also women of my age with desires to improve. Thank you to the donors and may they continue this noble program to support the Education of children and adults.
Antonio Vargas
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
Today I want to thank my family, my wife, my children, my parents, they are my motivation in life, before I did not like to study, today thanks to the support of the Becas Program at Fundacion Corazon de Niña I was able to achieve my goal, graduate, I will continue studying I will be constant, I want to be a pastry chef and I know that with effort, dedication and sacrifice I will achieve it. Thank God, for putting good people in the Foundation and the donors on my path, thank you for your help with my studies, without you I would not have been able to graduate.
Minerva Carrasco
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
Special thanks to our Sponsors for always motivating us and never forgetting us. We are eternally grateful for your love, friendship and support. Thank you for making this day so unforgettable, your presence today makes it even more special. Thank you for making all this possible and above all for accompanying us on our path to a successful life!
Manuel Alfaro
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
I feel happy because I finished elementary school, I learned about various topics that helped strengthen my values, my attitudes, my knowledge to be a good person in my community.
I am grateful for the unconditional support of Mama Melissa, Papa Juan, to the donors, thanks to my teachers, teachers and leaders who motivated me to move forward and complete my Primary Level, I will continue giving my best effort at the Secondary Level.
Thank God for making this great day possible.
Azul Fregoso
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
I want to thank God, Mama Melissa and Papa Juan for their love, care, education and for making me part of their family.
Sandra Fregoso
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
I am Sandra, I came to Fundación Corazón de Niña when I was 13 years old. My younger sister, my cousin, my newborn niece and I were rescued from a high-risk situation involving sexual abuse. I was here for 6 years and left when I was 19 and a half. My sister had left and I thought I could help her more if I lived on my own. I had so much to learn.
While I was away I spent most of my time at work, occasionally I would double shift, and I was often asked to work overtime because my coworker was late. While I was away, I learned several things including how to take care of myself and developed my patience. Unfortunately, I was unable to continue with my studies due to lack of time.
What brought me back to the Foundation was more than anything the desire to move forward, in addition to the fact that in a certain way I missed the family environment of the to which I was accustomed. I already had another perspective because previously I believed that everything was easier to achieve but being on my own I realized that it is not really that simple, since I returned to the Foundation I feel that I function and develop much better.
I am in an environment in which I feel good, in addition to the fact that I feel that I flow well with the house, I have also resumed my studies and I am halfway through my degree in Psychology. I feel much more satisfied with my achievements and I feel much more capable. I receive a lot of support from Corazón's Scholarship Program, from independent student housing, good nutrition, exercise and a healthy lifestyle, good personal and professional development in addition to the opportunity to finish my studies with financial support.
My advice to young people is that they should focus on the goal and not only on the obstacles. Recognizing that sometimes we villainize certain people who really want to help us while we idolize others who want to see us well, just not better than them. For this reason, I consider it important to realize who the people are who really want what is best for you and focus on the objective rather than the problems that are often minimal, just a drop of water in the ocean. Perseverance and the desire to reach the goal are things that should not be lost sight of.
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Javier Garcia
Dear Friends, teachers, parents and donors,
My name is Javier, I arrived at Fundación Corazón de Niña when I was 12 years old, due to a situation of domestic violence along with my two younger sisters. I lived in the Foundation for 6 years and I left when I was 18 because I wanted to go see a relative who was very sick and whose last wish was to spend his last days with his family.
Once outside, things were complicated. I had to adapt to keep moving forward. I learned to manage my time and work on my responsibility, and to manage my income and achieve my independence. For a while, I continued my studies but then due to various situations, I had to temporarily suspend my studies which was very difficult. During my time on my own, I believe I grew personally. Now I am more mature and conscientious. I also feel more capable of solving problems and that I value things much more than before. I returned to the Foundation because I wanted to resume my studies and finish my Degree in Systems Engineering. Since I have done so, I feel a little more at peace and more focused on my goals.
Through Corazón’s Scholarship Program, I have new opportunities for personal and professional development which includes teaching and sharing my knowledge with Primary and Secondary students who I identify with so easily. I am glad to be able to support them as many people supported me when I needed it most.
I receive great food and live healthily in my own apartment in the Corazón’s Student Housing. I receive financial support which helps me feel both safety and stability. I would like to share with young people something that I learned – we must value the things that are given to us since everything has a value and I am not only talking about the economic but also the sentimental, we must know how to take advantage of and be grateful for the opportunities and learning, now that life is not easy if you don't have good foundations.