We strive to bring hope to the widowed and orphans, joy to the handicapped
and the homeless children, nourishment to the hungry, education to the
uneducated, medical assistance to the ill, refuge to the abandoned and abused,
and love to the lost and lonely.
|
 |
Greetings from the Dominican Republic!
What an exciting year! As the holidays approach there is much anticipation here to celebrate all of the great things that have happened with Dove Missions this last year. We were blessed with over 200 volunteers visiting us, sharing their time, talents and donations. With your support, we offered much needed help to the girl's orphanage, hospital, Mustard Seed and Casa Nazarete disabled children's homes. We painted houses, rebuilt schools and bought 50 children school uniforms and supplies. Your donations provided education, food, clean water, clothes, medicine, pampers and formula to hundreds of desperately poor children and families.
With your help we started our "club" in January as a pilot program with 12 street boys and by June we added 60 more children, and included girls programming. We had to utilize churches and schools for our classrooms until our new space was renovated. By September we were up and running in our new Vocational and Recreational center. We have over 80 children enrolled in our programs and a lengthy waiting list as well. Our programs include 6 main areas: Library and Computer Lab, Sports and Recreation Center, Health and Wellness, Art and Theater,
Learning center, Vocational Training.
All of these programs are in need of sponsorship. We are able to provide a safe place for these children to receive a meal, opportunities to learn and grow and give them the hope they need to survive their current conditions. They have been sold into prostitution, violated in pedophilia rings, have parents dying of AIDS, on drugs and in jail and some are living with other family
members or friends and are used as child laborers. We have kept them off of the streets and in school. We are keeping them fed and provide emergency medical relief. For every single child in our program, the "club" is a safe haven from the violence in the streets and in the home. A sandwich and juice at the club may be the only food they receive that day. It is a beacon of love and security that they have never experienced before.
Starting the New Year, we do not have the funding needed to keep the center operational,
especially with the programming we have planned. I am asking you to partner with us by sending a financial gift this Christmas. Without our presence in this community, these children will be sent back into the streets, sold into the sex trades and used as child laborers and thieves.
Thank you for your continued support in Dove Missions programs. We especially need your
support this coming year. Please know that whatever you can give will go a long way-and it will be very special because you cared enough to give it! With your help, we can fulfill our promise that Dove Missions will provide these children, who face so many uncertainties to know one thing for sure: Dove Missions will always be there with a smile, a word of encouragement and the gift of hope for the future.
Thank you,
Elizabeth McKie
Executive Director and Founder
Dove Missions
|
|
Volunteer Vacations - Join Us!
In the last year, Dove Missions has been the vehicle for us to connect and serve the poor  impoverished people in the Dominican Republic. We helped build and refurbish houses and schools, brought wheelchairs, medicine, clothing and food to people in the hospital and handicapped children's homes, had soccer camps and beach days, vocational training, art classes, taught English and so much more that it is too much to list. Many lives were changed because of the shared desire to love one another whether we are rich or poor. But the greatest thing that has manifested itself is the sense of HOPE that came out of the actions of the many volunteers and the poor they came to serve. Hope that a simple act of kindness can be the vehicle of change in our world. Hope that supporting one another in service and education can truly make this world a better place. Hope that our own lives are renewed by sharing what we have to empower others with opportunity. Read More...
|
|
Music Program
 We are starting a music program as music is an important part of the children's lives. They light up dancing and singing when they hear music playing. The program design includes the teacher, instruments, all construction, tools, and buses to hotels to play. It is top of the line instruction at a hefty price of $600.00 a month for a 6-month program. We have others interested in donating, and once we receive enough donations to cover the whole program we will begin.
A music teacher from Brazil that has lived here for years will help us with our music program. Tadeu will spend the first 2 months helping the older boys construct instruments from recycled materials, milk cans, PVC tube, water jugs, bamboo, etc. The next 4 months he will teach the boys and some of the bigger kids to play in a band. Some will play, some will sing, and some will dance. They will be writing their own songs and their own music with the intent of producing a CD. The music will be that good!
The children are so excited, and with the recording of the CD, all our sponsors will have an opportunity to hear their donation in action!
|
|
The Center
We are coming into the rainy season. Most of the homes our families live in have leaky roofs. They are in flood zones. They have mattresses that are soaking wet and mildew when they finally do dry.
 We can help. We want to start an emergency relief program to aid families in crisis during the rainy season. Flashlights, batteries, candles, rain ponchos, dried and canned foods, dry bedding and first aid kits for the home. Our center is the only location in the area that could house many people in an emergency and we have a strong inversor so we would have electricity for many days.
Anyone or group wanting a construction project could help us by raising funds and building up the homes when you are here. You can send emergency relief supplies to Agape Flights c/o Dove Missions (see bottom for exact information).
Please remember to send Dove Missions a check for $1.50 per pound to receive your donation in the Dominican Republic. You could also send money via PayPal to help us purchase the supplies of food and necessities in the Dominican Republic.
To donate via PayPal, please click on the donate button below,
or send your donation to:
Dove Missions
c/o Caroline Santora, Dove Missions Treasurer
5834 East Beck Lane
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
|
Dove Missions Board Members & Staff
We thought it would be great for DOVE supporters to get to know the people who do the work behind the program. We have two staff members in the Dominican Republic, as well as a Board Committee in the States and Canada. Below is some more info about the team!
Liz McKie, Executive Director
Cathy Flynn, Vocational and Recreation Center Program Director
Caroline Santora, Treasurer
Nikki Cochorane, Field Director
Melissa Bazely ,Volunteer Coordinator
Diane Wolff, Secretary and Fundraising Director
Todd Evans, Fundraising Co-Director
Cindy Evans, Newsletter Editor
Teresa Cabrera, Boys and Girls Clubs Teacher
Niko Stelian, Bike Repair Teacher
|
How to Donate
Lots of people who visit DOVE Missions are interested in how they can help more. Donations are what keep our programs running. We've provided all the info on how you can help support our organization and mission in the print version of our newsletter. View instructions...
|
|
