A Heartfelt Message Including COVID News from Entreamigos Entreamigos
January 29, 2021

Dear friends and neighbors,

Before speaking to what Entreamigos has been up to this past month, we first feel it is important to acknowledge and make mention of some of the challenges that have been occurring in our community as a whole.
 
COVID cases are on the rise, to which we are responding by being even more vigilent that users are all using face masks and hand sanitizer; increasing the amount of sanitazion for all work areas; and continuing to have all staff use cloth masks.

Additionally, almost two weeks ago a young women, friend and member of our community went missing as many of you may have heard. That incident has affected many people in our town and requires us to help bring awareness to the issue through our social media platforms and collaborative efforts.

And sadly, few days ago, we said goodbye to Franco Villaseñor, a 16-year-old young man who passed away suddenly. He was a son, brother and friend to several members of our community, and he and his family were long-time users and participants of Entreamigos. He was also a young star in Circo de Los Niños. Circo sent out a deeply heartfelt message regarding him and his family this week and we will share that message as well as ways to offer support to the family below.

While we are locally and globally working through so much grief and uncertainty, we also want to share a few moments of joy we've experienced over these past weeks as well. Keep shining!

Honoring Franco

Franco was a light that shined brightly - his effortless talent as an acrobat flying in the air gave him the reputation as one of the most dynamic performers and students at Circo.

His charisma and light-hearted spirit made him a close friend to many and he will be greatly missed by his Circus family and the entire San Pancho community.

Children's Art Festival with a Twist
 
In the spirit of our annual theme - Resilience: Creativity in Times of Change - we have adapted our 14th Annual Children's Art Festival so that everyone is safe and the children of San Pancho continue to receive art education from so many professional and talented artists in our community. Each volunteer artist is giving a small series of open air classes to groups of 2 or 3 children where they learn a new technique and create a finished work that will be on display in our library on February 18th - SAVE THE DATE!!
 
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteer artists!
 
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!
 
Shout out to our Book Sorting Volunteer Group!

Over the past 9 months we have receiveed over 450 English book donations, which is incredible! It also means that we need to sort through these donations to ensure that the best selection goes on the shelves. Every year a group of volunteers come each week to select what goes to the library and what is offered to the community for a small donation. We want to thank this group for their dedication and help in making this happen!
 
Harper Collins donates to Entreamigos Library

We were so excited to receive sich a kind donation from Harper Collins of quality children's books in both Spanish and English! We can't wait to get them registered in our library system so that you can take them home to read to your little ones soon.
   
Two More College Graduates from our Scholarship Program
 
We are thrilled to announce that two more scholarship students have graduated college, making a total of 20 college gratuates coming out of this program in the past 6 years. A huge congratulations goes out to Evelin García Rodríguez with a bachelor's in Physical Theray from the Technological University of Bahia de Banderas and Darvin López Benito with a Bachelor's of Law from University of Guadalajara for their amazing accomplishment!

This year, for obvious reasons, we had to restrict the graduation ceremony to just immediate family. However, we were able to take a video.
 
ONGOING PROJECTS
 
ReciclaPark Renovations

We have now finished the second play structure in our ReciclaPark renovations. We are so grateful all the volunteers and expert advise that we are receiving to help create another safe outdoor space for the children in our community! Next we'll be working some new and innovative swings and a toddle play area.
 
New Mural for our Library

We are so grateful to the incredibly talented artist, Tania Morales who is designing and painting our library mural this year, honoring our theme - Reslience: Creativity in Times of Change. Here is a sneak peek of what she did this week! Thank you Tania for sharing your talent with us!
   
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
 
Order a Set of Glasses Today!

One way to directly support the economy of women from our community AND help protect the environment is to order your set (or sets) of glasses for your home with Entreamigos. Women from our Creative Women's Group learn to cut, sand and engrave wine and other glass bottles, turning them into beautiful and useful upcycled products. To place an order, email us at info@entreamigos.org.mx  
 
Be a Volunteer!

If you are here in San Pancho, we have lots of safe ways to become a volunteer with everything from painting, outdoor small group classes, sorting materials, processing donations and more! Email Gaelle at voluntarios@entreamigos.org.mx to find out more details.  
   
Use Amazon Smile

When you go to Amazon Smile and enter Entreamigos as your beneficiary organization, you can shop with your normal account and Entreamigos receives .5% of the price of your purchase at no additional cost to you.

It's an easy and convenient way of supporting this important work!
 
In-Kind Donations

Our secondhand store, ReciclaShop has become so important to our community, now more than ever! You are supporting local families when you donate you clothes and household item in good condition.

Please note: donations are accepted at the MAIN ENTRANCE, Mondays thru Fridays 11:00am-3:00pm  

If you would like support this important work, you can make a secure donation via credit card or PayPal, by clicking on the link below.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children and families of San Pancho!

Donate Now!
 
Love and health,

Entreamigos Team

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