Hope for 2010! By: Juanita Guillen, IMPACTO@Underwings Coordinator

Sonia Chavez came to my office in November 2009 with tears in her eyes and a tremendous amount of stress. Mrs. Chavez shared with me that she was going through a really hard time and did not know where to turn. She said that she had heard that IMPACTO and Proyecto had helped families in the past and decided to come see me. She openly shared that her husband had recently lost his job and that it had become a challenge to feed their four children let alone pay for their daughter's medication, who is of special needs. Mrs. Chavez became even more stressed in anticipation of December's holidays and that her circumstance would mean no gifts for her children.

Working together with Proyecto Pastoral's development department, sponsors came forth expressing their interest in helping this family as a part Proyecto Pastoral's “Adopt-A-Family” campaign. Thanks to the Castro Family and Celine Cordero, the Chavez family not only received Christmas gifts but much needed toiletries, food and most of all hope.

In speaking with Mrs. Chavez recently, she expressed that these gifts revived her spirit and hope for 2010. She is thankful for organizations like Proyecto and for people with such giving hearts, like the sponsors. Although the family still has many challenges ahead of them, they are comforted in the thought that they are not alone.