WHO WE ARE
Building Bright Futures (BBF) is a US and Mexico based non-profit organization in Puerto Penasco that supports families’ in building their own bright futures: educationally, economically, physically, spiritually and emotionally. BBF uses a strong, effective, coordinated community system that supports families’ in building capacity to sustain success. The support system is designed to meet each family’s unique needs.
HOW IT WORKS
Behind the Scenes at BBF
Profiles of families are developed and communicated through our network. Groups or individuals from churches, businesses, social clubs or other groups, identify a family that they want to build a home for. They provide the resources needed to build the home on a piece of land that the family owns or is paying for. A team from that supporting group comes to work with the family to build the home in five days. The homes are block homes built with a “Lego” type block and reinforced with rebar and cement. In 2018 BBF was supported in the building of the homes by Alternative Missions an experienced organization that has a long history of building homes for families in Honduras and Cuba. If groups or organizations choose to not actually do the building they may make the contribution and a local builder will build the home and a team could help with the finishing work such as painting and/or installing tile if they choose to. When a family is chosen and the home is built a more comprehensive analysis is done of the needs of the family to increase their capacity to support themselves. This support is provided for 3-5-years. Local services and supports are identified and the appropriate, coordinated services are provided.
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED?
The work began in March 2018 with building a home for the first family and working with the family to develop goals and a plan to build their own bright future. So far, three homes have been built for families and hopefully eight more homes in 2019. Watching a family move from living in a temporary shelter with no door, windows or facilities to having a home is very rewarding. But the most rewarding part is what happens afterwards. There are already many stories of kids being successful in school, families helping other families to build their home, families receiving badly needed health services, local city services being linked to family needs and other community supports:
November 2019 update:
So far 5 homes have been built and more are anticipated in 2020.
YEIMI
A now 13 year old in one family was not in school because she didn't have transportation. With the resources, she began attending. After her first semester, she had the second highest grades in her school and became eligible for some scholarships and additional educational opportunities.
ABRAHAM
A now 8 year old in the second family to receive a home helped to build their own home and then he and his father helped to build the home for the next family.
DAVID
A now 3 year old has a serious heart problem and is now connected with George and Susie Stavros Medical Clinic in Puerto Penasco to receive medical care and support.