Albergue Infantil (Children’s Shelter) de Irapuato

The Albergue Infantil has a different background from many programs that serve street kids. It was founded by a group of businessmen who wanted to help homeless youth, but knew very little of social work. This history means that the program is very creative and has a good sense of business.

Twenty to thirty boys live in the shelter, all referred by the local Youth and Families Department (DIF), a judge, or other street kids. The facilities include a garden, a full size soccer field, a basketball court, a large dining room and kitchen, and several dormitories. Volunteers and professionals help the boys with schoolwork, life skills, and building good habits.

Recent projects with the boys’ families are the Albergue’s forte. Most come from families where the father abandoned his wife and children to work in the United States, forcing the mother to work long hours, leaving the children alone at home. The Albergue helps mothers find work they can do at home: it trains women to be hairdressers, artisans, caterers, and even chemists (to make and sell bleach). This work promotes the social and economic development of the community.

The Tec de Monterrey (the best MBA program in Mexico) requires that all students create a proposed business before they can graduate. Working with the Tec, the Albergue helps students find the capital to create their businesses in reality -- if the business agrees to donate profits to the Albergue and to employ homeless youth.

ALBERGUE INFANTIL DE IRAPUATO
Av. Vasco de Quiroga 1384, fracc.
Valle de las flores, Irapuato, Gto.
México

tel (462) 62 6 86 21

Contact: José Ramón Díaz de León <albergue_99@yahoo.com> or
jramond@prodigy.net.mx

www.geocities.com/albergueinfantil