Current Needs

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 As you can imagine, teenage boys eat a lot!  We welcome all food items (see list below).  We have a big freezer so we are grateful for meat, chicken and fish anytime, as well as items like milk, eggs, beans, oil and rice.

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Refugio Mazatlán has ongoing needs.  If you would like to make donations, below is a list of suggestions.  We greatly appreciate your generosity.

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Food​

We are grateful all food donations. The following items are always needed:

• Meat – chicken, ground beef, pork, chorizo etc

• Fish

• Cheese, cream, butter, etc

• Milk (entera, red box)

• Beans - pinto

• Rice

• Cereal

• Fruit and vegetables

• Canned tuna

• Oil

 

Cleaning supplies

• Laundry detergent (the powder kind)

• Fabuloso, clorolex and other cleaning agents

• Paper towel

• Dish detergent

• Hand Sanitizer

• Jumbo trash bags

 

Personal items

• Deodorant

• Toothpaste

• Shampoo, soap and hair gel

• Toilet paper

• Ibuprofen, panadol, over-the-counter cold meds, bandaids and other first-aid items

 

Sheets, pillows, towels

• Twin sheet sets

• Pillows

• Towels

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Clothing

• Shoes, especially athletic/tennis shoes, flip flops and crocs.  Most of the boys wear a US size 8, 9 or 10.

• New underwear - always needed!

• New socks

 

School supplies​

• Uniforms and school shoes

• Scientific calculators

• Notebooks, pens, pencils, dry erase markers, etc

• Supplies for arts and crafts, glue

• Coloured pencils

• Computers - desktop or laptop

• Tablets

• Geometry sets and compasses

 

Other

• Cubetas of white paint

• Kitchen items like spoons, forks, pots, pans

• Office supplies (printer paper, folders, etc),

• Toner for printer

 

Recreational items

• Musical instruments

• Bicycles

• Skateboards

• Boogie boards and surf boards

• Beach umbrellas

• Beach toys (bats, balls etc)

• Gym equipment (weights etc)

• Basketballs, volleyballs, etc

• Foosball table

• Small soccer goals

• Darts

 

Braces

Some of the boys need braces.  We are looking for people to sponsor individual kids.  The treatment (and cost) for each boy varies depending on his individual situation, but, at today's exchange rate, it is usually under USD600.00 per child for the entire process.

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Sunday Lunch Program

Our staff works hard to keep our 24 always-hungry teenagers fed.  In order to give them an occasional rest we offer volunteer opportunities for those who might be able to help.  We are seeking one volunteer (or group of volunteers) per Sunday to buy the groceries and prepare a lunchtime meal.  Meals can be simple, but nutritious. The boys eat their main meal at lunchtime - 1:30pm.  Mexican food is always enjoyed, but they also love just about anything else you might want to prepare.  We can give you ideas if you need them.  Please contact us (nicole.refugiomazatlan@gmail.com) if you would like to sign up for one or some Sundays on the 2024/2025 calendar.

 

Cash donations are always welcome too

There are significant costs involved to cover staff salaries, utility bills, medical expenses, school fees, books, uniforms, sports, food, cleaning supplies, personal items etc.  Everything helps! Make a cash donation

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Employment Opportunities

Part-time work teaches our boys responsibility and money management.  If you own a business in Mazatlán and can provide weekend or part-time jobs for our boys you will find them to be conscientious, hard-working and reliable.   Let us know!

 

Birthdays

Would you like to buy birthday gifts for the boys?  Birthdays are very important in the Mexican culture and we can provide a list of dates and gift suggestions.  The same applies for Christmas. 

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Operating costs

We would be most grateful if anyone would be interested in covering some of the day-to-day expenses, such as:

*Monthly electricity, water, or propane bills

*Sponsor the cost of a therapist or other staff member

*Assistance with medical expenses

*Gasoline

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Sponsor a Boy

We are looking for sponsors to cover the cost of tuition, uniforms and other education-related expenses.  Please contact us if you might be interested in this opportunity to change a young man's life. We offer various levels of sponsorship and contributions can be made monthly, annually or on a one-time basis. Sponsor a boy

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Volunteers Needed 

• Dentists

• Eye doctor

• Lunch program participants

• English teachers

• Homework helpers/tutors (need to speak fluent Spanish)

• Painting volunteers.  It is most helpful if you can provide the paint.

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Perhaps you would like to sponsor and take the boys for a special outing?  To the movies? Baseball game? Bowling? Water Park? Beach?  Fishing?  If you would like to simply cover the costs of the excursion let us know and we will make the arrangements.

 

Building Project Wish List​

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• New laundry area. We would one day like to move our laundry room onto the roof.  There is a large amount of unused space there, and it would also free up the patio area for playing basketball etc.  

• New windows, especially in the dormitories.  Our current windows are polycarbonate and require a lot of maintenance particularly after storms.  We would like new glass sliding windows.

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Contact Info: 

 

Calle Rosales #1105. Col. Centro, Mazatlán

 

Spanish: 669 193 23 01   refugiomazatlandir@gmail.com

 

English:  Mexico +52 669 146 41 73 or USA +1 (303)482-5698    nicole.refugiomazatlan@gmail.com

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