Article from the Chapala Review Feb 2012

Features - Casa Corazón

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 00:00 Marianne CarlsonVolume 14 - Issue 2, February 15, 2012

Asilo Corazon del Anciano Jocotepec

One year ago, a campaign was begun to raise funds to help Casa Corazon del Anciano in Jocotepec meet its monthly expenses. The home’s mission is caring for the elderly in need or in a state of neglect. The facility is the only non-profit home for the elderly in or near Jocotepec.

In addition to providing permanent housing for those with no place to live, Casa Corazon provides beds during the cold months for those who normally prefer to stay on the street or substandard housing. The homeless and elderly poor can visit Casa Corazon to shower, receive medical attention from a volunteer doctor, massage and aqua therapy, and participate in exercise and dance classes, as well as a hot meal on Saturday.

Gloria Solis, the driving force behind Casa Corazon, works tirelessly to raise money to fund the shelter’s work. Medical care is provided 24-hours per day free of charge in an infirmary completed this year. Donations made by Old Ladies Helping Old Ladies have been a major source to provide for utilities, food, and additional building restoration, but more help is needed.

Casa Corazon’s monthly expenses are about $7000 pesos but donors currently have committed to $3000 pesos a month,

Donations of any amount are welcome. Of most help would be pledges to donate a specific amount for six months or more. This will allow Gloria to prepare a workable budget considering the amount that is available each month.
To help, contact Susy Wright at (376) 765-7318 or susyguera@yahoo.com, or Pat Reynolds (376) 766-3501 or purplepatty2@yahoo.com for information.

“Happy is he who cares for the elderly, weak, poor or unprotected.”

 

Some Activities Provided at Casa Corazon

Among the activities offered at Casa Corazon are massage therapy; movement therapy including dancing classes, hula-hoop, improving balance with ball therapy; and light weights, consisting of beans in bottles, to increase upper body strength. The assistance provided for the participants is through teachers who are paid a very small amount--they mostly do it out of love for the oldsters.

Dancing class Wednesday and Friday.

Dance instructor and students.

Presentation of folklorico dancing.

Rehab for increasing balance.

Meet Some of the People

Here are some of the elderly people that are served, in varying capacities, by Casa Corazon with the help of your generous donations.

Christmas Party 2011

With generous donations from retailers and you, December 24 saw the morning break with busy volunteers preparing for the day's Christmas Party and Dinner at El Corazon del Anciano.  Entertainment, presents and a great dinner with dessert was provided for over 75 homeless or under-housed residents of Jocotepec, Mexico. 

Another volunteer helping with the dinner.  Thanks so much!!!

 Below is Gloria Solis (standing, in white), the director and driving force behind "Casa Corazon".  She has been working for over 10 years to establish and run this asylum for the poor.  She is not paid, but puts her heart and soul into the project for which she saw a need. 

It takes many volunteers to put together such a large and successful Chirstmas Party with dinner.  Here an appreciative woman leads the crowd in Christmas carols.