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| On-going Projects |
Social Worker
Goal: $5,000 annually
2010: $0
When we can afford one, a social worker visits the children's homes. They assess whether COAR will fit a child's needs. Once at COAR, they assess whether the child can return to the family, whether for brief weekends, longer vacations, or permanently. They also assess applicants to take the child as foster parents - there really are these generous souls all around us. They are familiar with the government services that might benefit the children or their families. It is a vital service rarely available to all who need it.
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Psychologist
Goal: $5,000 annually
2010: $0
When we can afford one, ($5,000 gains us a qualified psychologist about half-time, and we'll take as many of these as we can get) a psychologist does all the things that we know are vital to healing high-risk populations: evaluation of deficits and challenges, therapy to restore social, study, and behavioral skills, recommendations for more extensive treatment or a better facility - we aren't right for every child and we know it. |
Legal Services
Goal: $5,000 annually
2010: $0
We have been fortunate through the years to have the services of several family and child-rights lawyers. However, most of the legal fees and court fees cannot be donated. These services begin with creating birth certificates (identifying parents and even deciding how to spell their names), custody disputes, protective orders, property disputes (literally a matter of life or death with such poverty and murky ownership records from the war and eathquakes), and sadly, criminal prosecution of abusers, when we can. |
Security Guards
Goal: $5,000 annually
2010: $0
El Salvador has the one of the highest murder rates in the world. Organized gang violence targets anyone with anything of value. We have build a security wall around all of COAR - to the saddness of the alumni, who remember a sanctuary without walls even during the war - that says something about how bad the violence is. With every $5,000 we can hire and equip a security guard. It keeps the children safe and all the equipment of our brave new world: computers. |
Goals Reached!!
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2009 Annual Benefit Project:
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"Securing the Future Fund"
(what? click>>)
Goal: $80,000
Exceeded!! $84,454
Thanks!!
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2 Urgent Repair Projects
from Wind Storm Jan. 2, 2008: |
Chapel Repair
Goal: $85,000*
Current, 12/1/08: $85,882
* $73,000 estimate
+ $12,000 contingency |
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The chapel is one of the oldest building at COAR. It is the heart of our mission and the center of the community - but at 27 years old, having been built during the war, gotten shook good in several earthquakes, well, it's falling apart.
The ugly breakdown:
Roof: $8,717.97
Altar: $8,140
Floor: $11,020
False ceiling: $14,235
Painting: $3,713
Windows: $4,000
Doors and Benches: $3,819
Demolition, excavation, and prep: $6,767
Foundation stabilization: $1,915
Paving and grading: $2,930
Furniture and misc.: $8,173
Total Roof Repair:
Goal: $15,000*
Current, 12/1/08: $15,000
* $13,000 estimate
+ $2,000 contingency
Computer Center Roof Destroyed
Goal: $3,744
Computers are undamaged and have temporary protection.
Science Lab and Classrooms Roof Destroyed
Goal: $1,591
Lab equipment is undamaged and has temporary protection.
Volleyball Court Destroyed
Goal: $1,979
The court was brand new - built with the last grant that Sr. Mary Pat was able to get, and it completely collapsed. It felt like a special blow to her memory.
Basketball Court Destroyed
Goal: $8,569
The court is used for the sports competitions, band practice, dance competitions (it is why we built the volleyball court - to relieve congestion.) It is bigger and more robust than the volleyball court - and so it will cost more to repair. |
Other Completed Projects - Thanks!!
Computer Lab - Jan 2007(click for more)
Goal: $20,000 - 20 computers @ $1,000 each
Current: $19,000 !!! Yeah!!!
A computer lab was established in 1995. Since that time grants of equipment have been received from donors and the government of El Salvador. However, the need to upgrade and unify the hardware, software, and telophony never ceases. COAR is committed to providing its students computer literacy and skills to compete in this promising field of globally competitive jobs. Please contact us if you wish to address specific HW/SW/service needs.
New Classroom - Completed Mar 2006
Goal: $10,000
Current: $10,000
As of November 2005 COAR has a new building with a new classroom, a teacher's lounge, a meeting room, storage room, and special education space.
Pedstrian Bridge - Completed Aug 2005
Goal: $26,000
Current: $21,000
( yes, underfunded, but too necessary not to complete)
COAR Children's Village is located on the main highway between the capital city, San Salvador, and the second largest city, La Libertad. At the point of the turn-off to Zaragoza and COAR, the highway hugs a curving mountainside making it hard for drivers to see pedestrians trying to cross into Zaragoza. Several adults and children are killed trying to cross the road every year. The original plan for a pedestrian bridge called for $10,000. Government and local engineering concerns raised the cost. However, the bridge was completed in 2005 and saves lives.
Cafeteria - Opened March 15, 2004!!
Goal: $8,000
Current: $8,757
The project of our 2002 Annual Benefit, an upgraded cafeteria will serve nutritious meals to all students daily and provide jobs to Zaragozans who supply and staff the cafeteria. Donations will subsidize the cost of meals for needy students.
Nutrition Center - 2003
Goal: $35,000 initially and $5,000/annually
Current: $28,000
The project of our 2003 Annual Benefit, the nutrition center has begun proving nutritional suppliments and education to the community. Since this is perhaps the most chronic and insideous problem that the poor currently face in El Salvador - your help has truly made a huge difference in the lives of the children served - thanks!!
Playground Equipment - Completed Feb 2002
Goal: $3,000
Current: $3,606 (yeah!)
In 2003 modern, safe, and weather-resistant playground equipment was purchased for young children including slides, swings, playhouses, and jungle-gyms.
Earthquake Repair and Relief - 2001
Goal: undertermined
Current: $40,300 what generosity!!
El Salvador was hit with two enormous earthquakes in spring 2001. Many buildings at COAR and Zaragoza were damaged and were in need of repair. While most of the immediate repairs have been completed, the adobe brick construction that is vulnerable to future earthquake damage is being systematically replaced. Your gift allows this work to continue.
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On-going Projects
Salva Vita Vitamin Project
Goal: $10,000
2010: $0
A project of St. Edward High School student Keven Lenahan. Visit the project website:
for more details, then return to our website to donate on-line.
Pick-up Truck
Goal: $15,000
2009: $150
Yes, it is that simple: we have only one mini-bus to take the kids to special doctors, shop for food and supplies, and and do everything else - arghh!
Pedestrian Bridge - Repair and Expansion
Goal: $7,000
2010: $0
Oh no! Our beautiful pedestrian bridge, finished in 2005 for our 25th anniversary - it was smashed to pieces by a cement truck. Unbelieveably, no one was seriously hurt. But now we must rebuild one side, and, accomodate the new road widening.
Clinic and Medicines
Goal: $10,000/annually
2010: $0
2009: $5,250
2008: $400 - Yikes!
2007: $3,800
2006: $5,000 - (Thanks Held's Christmas Party!)
The clinic was established in 1980. It provides basic medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to the entire community of Zaragoza. Funds are used to upgrade facilities, purchase medicines and equipment, and for staff salaries.
Library
Goal: $1,000/annually
2010: $0
2009: $1,150 - Thanks Held family!
2008: $900 (Thanks Cumberland Valley Spanish Club)
2007: $0 - Yikes!
2006: $2,000 Yeah! (Thanks Baltimore Archdiocese, Cumberland Valley Spanish Club, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, New Kingstown, PA)
The wear and tear on books and materials as well as the need to expand the collections keeps the library a valuable resource for the children and the entire community of Zaragoza. Bilingual (English/Spanish) materials are especially important and expensive. (Not everything is on-line, yet!)
Special Education Endowment Fund (more)
Goal (short-term - Dec. 31, 2007): $20,000
Goal (the dream): $100,000 (for $5,000/Yr)
Raised: $41,000 Yeah!
Sr. Mary Pat Driscoll leaves as COAR's Director in July to begin work for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) developing vocations in North America. Her legacy is found in thousands, literally, of children that she has nurtured, and the families and lives that they, in turn, have created, fostered, and saved. Though Sr. Mary Pat is leaving, we will not forget her. But how to honor her legacy best? We decided an endowment that would fund COAR's needs for at least as many years as she served would be fitting – but for what purpose? a nutrition program? a clinic program? psychologists? special education teachers? Her reach as been vast for these children. She settled on the special education needs. Who would know better what lasts?
Seminarian Service Project (click for more)
Goal: $5,000 annually
2007: $0-but they came, anyway :)
2006: $2,700
The Diocese of Cleveland has been in mission partnership with the country of El Salvador since 1964. It was as a Cleveland Mission Team Member that Fr. Ken established COAR. By funding a summer of service at COAR for seminarians this vital tradition continues Seminarians who serve at COAR become life-long, valuable resources for the children and our communities in the US. |
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