Our Story

More Than a Shelter —
A Family Born from Love

For over 8 years, Casa de Esperanza has been a beacon of hope for children who needed it most. Here is how it all began.

Our Founding

From One Room to a Family of 12

In 2016, Sister Ana María, a missionary from Puerto Rico, arrived in Santo Domingo to serve at a local church. She quickly discovered that dozens of children in her community had no safe place to call home. With little more than faith and determination, she converted a small house on Calle Duarte into the first home of Casa de Esperanza — welcoming 3 children in the first week.

What began as a single room has grown into a full home. Today, Casa de Esperanza houses 12 children ranging from infants to young adults, with a dedicated team of caregivers, educators, and volunteers who give everything to this family. We have grown not because we planned it, but because the need demanded it — and the community responded.

"Faith moved us to open the door. Love is what keeps it open."

— Sister Ana María
Volunteer with children at Casa de Esperanza
Our Core Values

What We Stand For

Everything we do flows from four deep convictions about what every child deserves.

Safety

Every child at Casa de Esperanza lives free from danger, abuse, and neglect. Our home is a sanctuary where they can simply be children.

Education

We believe knowledge is the most powerful gift we can give. Every child is enrolled in school and receives tutoring support.

Health

Regular medical checkups, dental care, nutritious meals, and emotional support ensure every child can thrive physically and mentally.

Community

We raise children within a community of love — siblings, caregivers, volunteers, and neighbors who all play a role in their growth.

Our Journey

Key Milestones

Eight years of growth, love, and unwavering commitment to these children.

2016
2016

Founded

Sister Ana María opens the first home on Calle Duarte, welcoming 3 children.

2017
2017

First Six Children

Casa de Esperanza grows to house 6 children and hires its first full-time caregiver.

2019
2019

New Building

A larger donated property allows the family to expand — new bedrooms, a classroom, and a garden.

2022
2022

501(c)(3) Status

Casa de Esperanza receives official U.S. non-profit status, enabling broader fundraising.

2024
2024

12 Children & Growing

With 12 children in care, new educational and vocational programs launch for older teens.

The People Behind It

Meet Our Team

Sister Ana María — Founder & Director

Sister Ana María

Founder & Director

A missionary from Puerto Rico, Sister Ana María founded Casa de Esperanza in 2016 out of a deep calling to serve vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic.

CM

Carlos Mendez

House Father

Carlos has been with Casa de Esperanza since 2018. He serves as a father figure, mentor, and fierce protector of every child in the home.

Volunteers playing with children at Casa de Esperanza

Our Volunteers

The Extended Family

Dozens of local and international volunteers give their time, skills, and hearts to make Casa de Esperanza thrive — from tutoring to maintenance to simply playing with the kids.

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Children learning in the classroom at Casa de Esperanza
Education

A Classroom Full of Futures

Every child at Casa de Esperanza attends school and receives daily tutoring in our dedicated classroom. We believe education is the single greatest investment we can make in a child's tomorrow.

From learning to read to preparing for university, we walk alongside each child at every step — providing supplies, uniforms, tutors, and encouragement every single day.

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A Friend & Partner

The Man from Kelowna Who Changed Everything

Casa de Esperanza would not be the same without the extraordinary generosity of Jacques and the Jacques Education Foundation — a Kelowna, BC organization whose heart has always been in the Dominican Republic.

  Kelowna, BC → Santo Domingo, DR
About Jacques

A Good Man with an Even Greater Mission

Jacques was a beloved and deeply respected member of the Kelowna, British Columbia community. Successful in business, grounded in his faith, and known by everyone who met him as a man of rare warmth and generosity, he was the kind of person who made time for everyone and left every room a little brighter than when he entered it.

It was a trip to the Dominican Republic that changed the course of his life. Witnessing the educational barriers faced by children in the barrios of Santo Domingo, Jacques returned home to Kelowna with a quiet but firm conviction: he could do something about it. And he did.

"Every child who learns to read holds the key to their own future. Our only job is to make sure they get the chance."

— Jacques, Founder, Jacques Education Foundation

He founded the Jacques Education Foundation to provide sustainable, practical educational support to children in the Dominican Republic — funding school fees, classroom supplies, teacher resources, and learning materials for children who had none. His foundation became one of the most impactful supporters of education in the communities surrounding Santo Domingo.

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Educational Funding

The foundation has directly funded school fees, uniforms, textbooks, and supplies for dozens of children across Santo Domingo, removing the financial barriers that kept them out of the classroom.

Teacher & Classroom Support

Jacques believed in investing in teachers as much as students. The foundation has funded teacher training, classroom resources, and learning materials at partner schools throughout the region.

Partnership with Casa de Esperanza

Through a lasting partnership with our home, the foundation has ensured that every child in our care has full access to schooling, tutoring, and the educational tools they need to reach their potential.

His Legacy Lives On in Every Child Who Learns

The Jacques Education Foundation continues its vital work in the Dominican Republic today, carrying forward the vision of its Kelowna founder. If you would like to learn more about the foundation, support their work, or honour Jacques's memory, visit their website or reach out to us directly.

Jacques Education Foundation Contact Us About Partnership
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Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply share our story — you become part of this family.

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