Newsletter – Web

More from Susan

Introducing Susan, here Fresh Chicken The first time I heard about El Salvador, a friend of mine in grad school was telling me about a mission trip he’d taken with the Newman Center at our university. I’m sure he’s told me a hundred different things about his trip over the years, but what I remember […]

New! Transition to Independence Program

What Makes it “Official”? It’s in our budget * It’s in our guidelines * It’s in our culture “There is nothing permanent except change” -Heraclitus And that is certainly true at COAR! Our staff and collaborators over the years have always sought the best way to serve the changing needs of the COAR population—from war […]

Kind of New! Programs Director Susan Barnish

Susan joined COAR in January 2020 and we’ve been meaning to officially introduce her ever since. For some reason (perhaps a global pandemic?), we didn’t quite get to it when she first came. But our inside story, about COAR’s transitional program, had us thinking about transition in other areas, so we decided this was a […]

March 2023 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador

Programs Director’s Take-Over One of the things that has most impressed me about COAR is the dedication of our staff and the 40 years of tradition we have in caring for El Salvador’s most vulnerable population. But 40 years of tradition doesn’t have to mean stagnation. It’s a wonderful thing to see our kids grow […]

“All I Want for Christmas is Yooouu”

At a Christmas party thrown in November the new COAR residents are already doing what youth always does ~ making new friends, bringing new energy and talents, and healing. Merry Christmas! Jennifer, at COAR from the age of 1 year old, welcomes everyone to the party. Danna helps Dinora read a Christmas poem. Valeria shows […]

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 […]

Sept. News – CORN healing body and soul – Solidarity 1 of 3

Soft Corn – Central Americans, where corn was born, celebrate the brief time, August-September, when they eat “soft corn”.

Corn first evolved in Central America and has gone on to be fundamental to world food supplies.  But back where it all started . . . the pictures below show the total corn cycle at COAR.  It starts with planting corn on our large campus in the spring.  This year the St. Edward High School […]

Sept. News – Teaching English, Soccer, the Party! – Solidarity 2 of 3

Dinner Party – Time to talk, and they did after a week of learning English and Spanish (they are young) with a card commemorating this night of solidarity.

During a week-long visit in June (the first visitors we’ve had since 2019) the men of St. Edward High School, Lakewood, OH, spent quality time with the students of the COAR high school (teaching English, our standard, and most valuable service!) and quality time with some of our residents. This included a nice sit-down dinner […]