Help Mexico City's homeless during the pandemic

Dear Donor. 

We would like to begin by thanking you. 2021 has been a challenging year, yet it has been filled with wholesome events, all possible with your donations. It is because of you that our project presses forward in achieving its objective: To support the vulnerable populations of Mexico City through workshops, a source of income and, above all, an environment of healthy coexistence.

What have we achieved in this last quarter?

Workshops and training in our Creative Center

Valedores have been able to continue training in crafting their traits in areas such as photography, writing, administration and personal finance. Accompanied by collaborators and our editorial team, the project’s beneficiaries continue to work on their academic skills in a friendly, free, and open enviorment. Throughout these past three months almost 50 hours of training have been given as part of the social working model with which we seek to influence as a positive change in the lives of the Valedores.  

 Our Presence at the most important Book Fair in Mexico City

We managed to procure a spot in Mexico City’s most prestigious annual Book Fair, Zocalo International Book Fair. Our participation through our bookstand allowed Valedores to interact, sell and network in an environment with recognized publishers. Valedores introduced the project to the public and were able to generate legitimate income, which is particularly useful in these critical times.

Free psychological therapy for Beneficiaries

We know the importance of mental health and the well-being of the individual for a comprehensive social reintegration process. For this reason, we manage the psychological therapy service for the Valedores who request it, and which is given at our facilities on a weekly basis.

Support for specific and individual needs of the beneficiaries

With your donation, we can continue supporting the Valedores´ needs through their journey. Haircuts, personal hygiene, eye exams and free delivery of visual and hearing aids are all being supplied for their well-being. It is because of you that Valedores such as Rodolfo can count on quality medical eyewear, improving their vision and quality of life.

The first collective Exhibition of Mi Valedor

This quarter we were able to complete on of the most ambitious and emotional projects of Mi Valedor: our first collective art exhibition displaying the work the Valedores have created throughout the pandemic. We partnered with Mirada Camarada to display photography, texts and drawings that the Valedores have developed alongside our editorial team through various workshops at our Creative Center or other cultural activities. The exhibition was a SUCCESS!

Finally, we would like to reiterate that these activities are only possible thanks to your continuous support and exposure towards the project. We finish 2021 with only but good news!

Links:

• We were published in the UNAM's magazine
• Our collective exhibition in Ibero909
• This is the valedor Camaxtli

Dear donor,

The last 15 months have been filled with difficulties and uncertainty, providing important lessons on how global challenges have differentiated impacts, often hitting the most marginalized the hardest. Our mission is and will be to support valedores, people who are living or who are at risk of living on the streets, migrants, and elders. With your donations we were able to continue our work during the pandemic, finding innovative ways to support those most in need. 

Here are 4 actions that were possible with your help:

• Emergency support 

An array of institutions donated essential goods and funds to our cause all of which have been delivered to vendors in these difficult times. Valedores can now request at any time personal protective equipment to take care of their health during the pandemic. Free magazines and food vouchers were also provided, and personalized savings funds were set up to help many vendors pay for emergency expenses.

• A safe space for everyone with personalized support and guidance

Our headquarters remain a creative center where we can welcome valedores, hold workshops and provide an opportunity to generate an income in a safe and friendly environment.  Many vendors do not have identification documents limiting their access to basic health and welfare services. To solve this, we teamed up with local allies to provide birth certificates, state issued identification, registration, and transport to vaccination sites.

• Volunteer meetups, workshops, training, and cultural visits.

Volunteers play a fundamental role at Mi Valedor and with your support, we were able organize monthly vendor and volunteer outdoor meetups. We also reactivated photography and sales workshops that provide vendors with the tools to participate and sell in our publication. Likewise, as museums, galleries, and art fairs in Mexico City opened their doors, we teamed up with venues so vendors could sell magazines, take tours of their collections and temporary exhibits, generating an environment of healthy coexistence based on art and culture.

• A new issue!

Vendors generate a legitimate income through the sale of our magazine, Mi Valedor. With the help of a major donor, we were able to print a new issue. Valedores del mundo uníos was presented in May of 2021 and is still sold by our vendors today.

All these actions have been possible thanks to your generous donation! For more information on our work please check out our Annual Report which is now live on our website. 

We also ask for your continued support as we are participating in the GlobalGiving Annual Photo Contest with the opportunity to win US$1,000, which would go a long way in continuing these actions. Please go to: https://www.globalgiving.org/poll/vote/?pollOptionId=1593 and vote!

Thank you!

Links:

• Vote for us in the Globalgiving Annual Photo Contest
• What we do with your donation