The next adventure...Mexico. Please follow along as I spend a month serving the teen boys at Refugio Mazatlan. (refugiomazatlan.org)
First, some FAQs (probably not actually frquently asked, but just in case you are interested)
What is Refugio Mazatlan?
Refugio is a group home for boys (12-17) who come from difficult living situations.
This may be poverty, addiction, local violence, or a combination. A few boys have no parents but most do they hope that their son will have a better life and more opportunities at Refugio.
How did I get connected with Refugio, after all it isn't China?
Very true! It is definitely not China, but my friendship with a nurse (Deb) who volunteered with me in Hengyang is how I found out about Refugio. Deb left China in 2020 and has been volunteering here at Refugio since 2022. I have been working with Deb in a very unofficial capacity to talk through issues and assist her in brainstorming ideas to address the emotional needs of the boys. My years of studying childhood trauma and my years in China have been a great resource for that.
So what am I doing here in Mazatlan?
For quite a while Deb and I have discussed having me come to Mazatlan to work on some projects with her in person. So that's why I am here. I have been working on some process improvements (which I love!), doing some coaching with the staff on trauma informed mindset and practices, as well as developing a model for a comprehensive Personal Growth Program for the boys. Whew. So it has been busy and time is flying.
Now here are some snapshots of what I have been doing:
First, some FAQs (probably not actually frquently asked, but just in case you are interested)
What is Refugio Mazatlan?
Refugio is a group home for boys (12-17) who come from difficult living situations.
This may be poverty, addiction, local violence, or a combination. A few boys have no parents but most do they hope that their son will have a better life and more opportunities at Refugio.
How did I get connected with Refugio, after all it isn't China?
Very true! It is definitely not China, but my friendship with a nurse (Deb) who volunteered with me in Hengyang is how I found out about Refugio. Deb left China in 2020 and has been volunteering here at Refugio since 2022. I have been working with Deb in a very unofficial capacity to talk through issues and assist her in brainstorming ideas to address the emotional needs of the boys. My years of studying childhood trauma and my years in China have been a great resource for that.
So what am I doing here in Mazatlan?
For quite a while Deb and I have discussed having me come to Mazatlan to work on some projects with her in person. So that's why I am here. I have been working on some process improvements (which I love!), doing some coaching with the staff on trauma informed mindset and practices, as well as developing a model for a comprehensive Personal Growth Program for the boys. Whew. So it has been busy and time is flying.
Now here are some snapshots of what I have been doing:
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2/9
Arrived at O'Hare at {gulp} 4am for my 6am flight (Chicago-Phoenix-Mazatlan). All very uneventful, which is ALWAYS a good thing. Deb met me at the airport and we ubered (yes, it's a thing in Mexico, too), and I got settled into her awesome apartment (2 bedrooms, so jealous) just a block from Refugio. We got caught up, and she started to lay out all the thing's she hopes we can accomplish while I am here. Good thing I am here for a month, though even that seems short compared to her list! |
2/10
I got my first look at Refugio and met a few of the boys and staff. There are 20 boys in residence at the main building and another 7 in an apartment for young adults who have graduated from Refugio (and high school ) and are pursuing college or vocational studies. There is quite a difference from the institutional setting I was used to in China, particularly Hengyang. While the space is large, more like a dorm than a home, the atmosphere is not institutional at all. They boys are polite and relatively quiet for teen boys (though I am assured it is not always like that!). They are able to come and go with relative freedom, and while there are scheduled activities and chores, they have a good amount of autonomy. All in all a good start. |
2/11
Deb does A LOT here, which allows me to see lots of facets of the program. Since the cook only works in the day and goes to school after lunch, Deb handles the evening meal (but the cook prepares it and leaves for Deb to heat up. Thankfully!). So I got to help with that. It gave me a good look at the kitchen and how things are handled in there as that is one of the processes I have ebeen asked to work on. The boys do all the clean up -- and as you can imagine it is not their favorite chore. (I don't think there is a favorite chore.) I already have some ideas of how to make it a bit less onerous and a bit easier to do a good job. |