SusanB

December 2022 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador

Watercolor original by: Marie Spaeder Haas

“Treated No Better than a Rag” In our regular meetings at COAR we learn the heart-breaking details about how the newest children and teens have come to be at COAR. They are minors so we shield their privacy as well as, literally, keep them safe from their past. At our most recent, mid-November meeting, our […]

Community Film School Finale

The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For… For nearly three years, we’ve been talking about the Community Film School. We’ve seen pictures of works in progress, meet-ups, and classes. We’ve heard about how COAR’s kids are growing in skills, confidence, and experience. But we haven’t (yet) seen any final projects. Now, after hours and hours […]

The Living Stations of the Cross

A Tradition Throughout Latin America Celebrated at COAR with Vitality! Below left, Carlos Alberto at the Good Friday meditation display. Below right, with sister Karla Liliana at Raúl’s 40-day remembrance Mass. The “empty tomb” at the end of the Easter celebration, “He is not here, He is risen.” These traditions heal and give hope.

St. Romero Day, March 24th

Celebrated at COAR’s Prayer Service and at the COAR Children’s Village Fr. Dragga (left), pastor at Church of the Resurrection, Solon, OH, presides over our prayer service while our pastor, Fr. Vladimir Rosales (right), presides over the mass in Zaragoza, El Salvador. Fr. Steve Vellenga, Director of the Cleveland Latin American Mission Team, who served […]

June 2022 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador

Watercolor original by: Marie Spaeder Haas

The House That Generosity Built Time, Talent, and Treasure I am surrounded by generosity. From our honorees this year it was generosity of spirit to lend us their names and faces as representatives of all the many volunteers that help connect the COAR children to you. For our hundreds of volunteers, it is generosity of […]

The Last Shall Be First

Raul’s 40-day Remembrance mass (Feb 17th) – A Latin American Tradition Raul’s 40-day remembrance mass with his photo in front Dionisio describes a holy card gift he had planned with Raul Each resident selects a card and treat provided by Raul before his death The residents hold Raul’s photo as a gentle remembrance The residents […]