Kindness on Overdrive

At YLM, there’s always something going on.  While some of our programs of Mercy, such as the Back-To-School and Christmas Toys Distributions, happen once a year (twice, once the distributions in Mexico are counted), the process of preparation is a weekly year-round task, just like the weekly food distributions taking place every Saturday morning.  For 52 weeks that make up the year, it is rare for YLM to not be working to help those seeking assistance in one form or another.

“During the summer months, our numbers increase,” Elvira Viramontes, YLM’s Program Facilitator, shared the monthly reports submitted for the Food Emergency Program, “Over 20 new families register every week in the months of May to August; this is an increase of 5 families per week in comparison to the rest of the months, except for the last three months of the year.”

“It is no surprise our Food Emergency Program sees an increase of families in need.  Kids are out of school, which means extra meals during the day,” Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer, CEO explained as the increase in numbers was discussed, “Families who are barely making ends meet find themselves here, where we can offer them a bit of help to ensure their children have food at home.”

“Many of the families who have recently registered for the Food Emergency Program originally came to register for the backpacks distribution for August,” Marisa De Santiago, a long-term volunteer at YLM, shared as she assigned new color coded cards early Saturday morning before the distribution began at 10 in the morning, “They were glad to find more help is available to them.”

The sorting of supplies and items started back in March, with a call for needed volunteers going out the first week of July during the morning hours.  Over 300 backpacks have already been assembled with school supplies and hygiene kits.  “We are estimating about 1,000 registrations for backpacks, probably a few hundred more than that, by the end of this month,” Elvira pointed at the growing stack of pink registration forms, “We’re still needing school supplies and hygiene items, as well as backpacks.”

The hope and prayer is to be able to fulfill all the registrations in the surrounding communities and at three of YLM’s mission-churches in Juarez –La Santa Biblia, San Lucas and Cristo Rey.  Between those three mission churches, the estimated need is about 400 backpacks.

“It’s during the summer months when we’re hurting the most for funds and donations,” Karla Gonzalez, YLM’s Bookkeeper, listed out the areas where funding is needed the most, “It’s become a trend where summer is an off-time for many people.  They go on vacation or travel to visit family…unfortunately, the need YLM encounters in the surrounding communities never has an off-time.”

With how fast YLM works on providing help to the surrounding communities, as well as showing kindness and mercy to the people across the border, the summer months are always the most difficult months, but despite the heat and limited funding, YLM continues to serve those who need help with kindness, decency and compassion.

“The poor and needy will always be around us,” Pastor Heimer shared during a staff meeting, “We have Good News to share, but if their needs are not acknowledged and addressed, they won’t listen to the Good News we have for them.  People don’t care what you have to say until they see you care.”

It is through the support of those who believe in what YLM dedicates itself to doing –changing lives every day through simple acts of kindness –the acts of mercy  shown in tangible ways for over 37 years to thousands of people of all ages, walks of life, and circumstances can continue every day.

All donations given to YLM are helpful to further our Mercy programs, yet having recurring donations help in a completely different way.  “With recurring donations, we can budget for our programs and administrative needs, as well as emergency situations,” Karla explained how recurring donations could help keep YLM from months with limited funding, “Let’s say we have 1,000 recurring donors, each donating $10 a month…that’s $10,000 we could count on and properly budget to cover the monthly needs we have.  Our final goal is not to become profitable, but for our programs to become self-sustainable.”

As YLM continues to reach out through Mercy Care –food, shelter, clothes, medical care, educational support, musical education, and along with it all, hope –we continue to be so thankful to all supporters of our mission to change lives every day through simple acts of kindness.

“Because it really is simple,” Jackie De Santiago, a college student who volunteers throughout her summer vacation, shares with a smile as she and her brother help their mother fill backpacks with school supplies and completed hygiene kits, “We simply give to those in need with a joyful smile and compassionate hands, putting love into action.”

To support the continued labors of Mercy at YLM this summer, you can donate to our YLM is Mercy: Summer Funding campaign, consider becoming a recurring donor and joining the Amigos de Ysleta, or look over our lists of current school/hygiene needs and send in-kind donations to make a difference in a child’s life.

We also have great need for volunteers in many different areas, so if you’re able to volunteer for a few hours, days, or weeks, YLM is a place where you’ll find how your heart beats for service to others.  For additional ways you can help support YLM, reach out by calling (915) 858-2588 to speak to Elvira Viramontes or e-mail us at info@ylm.org.