Partner Spotlight: East Cape Health Center
East Cape Health Center, in BCS, Mexico was one of Leaders2Give's earliest partners. Their mission aligns closely with ours because we both believe that strong, healthy communities begin with access to basic needs. While our focus is on supporting vulnerable children and families, we know that quality healthcare is an essential part of that picture, especially when it's available to people who might otherwise go without it.
Through subsidized care and, in many cases, free services for disadvantaged families, East Cape Health Center helps ensure that financial hardship isn't a barrier to receiving medical care. While Leaders2Give doesn't operate the clinic, we're proud to support its work alongside many other donors and community partners who share a commitment to accessible healthcare.
One of the things we've always appreciated about East Cape Health Center is that they don't stop looking for ways to improve healthcare in the East Cape. Over the years, we've watched the clinic grow from offering primary medical care to providing dental services, laboratory testing, imaging, emergency care, and access to an expanding team of specialists. Each step has made it possible for more people to receive quality care closer to home.
Now they're working toward their next goal: bringing outpatient surgery to the clinic.
Recently, East Cape Health Center welcomed Dr. Santiago Guillén, a board-certified general surgeon to its medical team. It's an exciting addition, but there's still one important piece missing. Without the proper surgical facilities, many patients who need relatively routine procedures must still travel to La Paz or Los Cabos.
For some, that's simply an inconvenience. For others—particularly older adults, people recovering from illness, or families with limited transportation—it can create additional stress, expense, and delays in receiving care.
That's why East Cape Health Center has launched a fundraising campaign to develop an Ambulatory Surgery Center.
What's encouraging is that this isn't a project starting from scratch. The medical team is already in place. Patients are already being seen. The need already exists. What remains is building the infrastructure that will allow more procedures to be performed safely, close to where patients live.
As with many of our partners, this is about solving a practical problem with a practical solution.
If this project is something you'd like to support, donations can be made through Leaders2Give by noting "Ambulatory Surgery Center" in the donation description. If you'd like to learn more or tour the clinic, Charlene Wenger would be happy to answer your questions charlene.wenger@gmail.com
Healthcare is always evolving. We're encouraged to see East Cape Health Center continuing to grow in ways that make quality care more accessible for the people who need it.
We’re proud to be part of a growing community of partners who are making a difference. Keep reading below for updates from our partners.
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PARTNER UPDATES
El Cardonal Children’s Home
The El Cardonal Children’s Home (formerly John Gullo Home for Children) provides temporary shelter for children in BCS whose families are experiencing medical crises. Read the latest update below:
This month, the children’s home’s Dirctors continued strengthening relationships with families and community organizations in Baja California Sur. They visited the Real Unidad and Lagunitas communities in Los Cabos, where clothing was delivered to families as part of the home’s ongoing outreach and support efforts.
The visit also provided an opportunity to stay connected with local families, better understand their needs, and continue building trust within the community.
The team also participated in a hurricane-season preparedness meeting organized by Alianza Comunitaria de Baja California Sur and the Community Resilience Network of Baja California Sur. The meeting brought together nonprofits, community leaders, and local representatives to identify resources, strengthen emergency-response networks, and improve coordination during times of crisis. These connections help the El Cardonal Children’s Home continue building the partnerships needed to support vulnerable children and families, especially during emergencies.
New Creation Kids (NCK) Children’s Home
New Creation Kids is a children’s home just south of La Paz providing safe, stable shelter for children whose families are facing serious challenges such as addiction and homelessness. Read about our involvement with the home below:
As many of you know, NCK has been with us since the very beginning and continues to hold a special place in our journey. Operated by Roberto and Alma Osuna, this independent, registered Mexican nonprofit provides a safe and stable home for up to 30 children at a time.
Children whose parents are unable or unfit to care for them due to circumstances such as addiction, violence, or homelessness.
While Leaders2Give does not oversee NCK’s operations, we help fund essential daily needs like food, electricity, education, fuel, and water. Our involvement also includes stepping in for urgent capital improvements such as cisterns to help address water shortages installed in 2021.
Thanks to your generosity, we currently have enough funding to cover their basic needs for the year. That said, the needs at NCK are ongoing and often unpredictable. If you’d like to help cover the cost of essentials like water deliveries or meals, please consider making a donation. Just $25 can support one child for ten days.
💚The East Cape Health Center
The East Cape Health Center is a nonprofit clinic in Los Barriles offering full medical and dental services with discounted or free care for families in need. Read their latest update below:
We've borrowed East Cape Health Center's usual update space this month because they had a story worth telling. You'll find it in this month's Partner Spotlight feature article above ⬆️
💚SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
SNAP offers free spay/neuter services for the local community in and around Los Barriles, BCS and promotes youth leadership through animal welfare education. Read their latest update below:
The greatest and most lasting change in any community begins with its children.
SNAP East Cape had the privilege of spending more time with the incredible children of Los Barriles' Curso de Verano, a summer camp for over 125 local school-aged children.
These sessions covered why spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, how responsible pet ownership protects Baja's native wildlife — including iguanas and hares — and how vaccinating pets and washing hands keep people and animals safe.
Highlights from the week:
True or false, active-style. Kids sat down for false statements and jumped for true ones — a high-energy sterilization quiz.
Long-term impact of programs like ours. Younger kids demonstrated it as a group; older kids solved it as group math, with volunteers writing answers.
Group posters on why sterilization matters for animal welfare.
A vet's perspective. Dra. Dea Galvan of Clínica Veterinaria Buenos Aires spoke with the kids about responsible ownership and prevention.
Many of these children already come from families who have taught them kindness toward animals. Our goal is to build on that, helping them see that every person has the power to make a difference, and that when a whole community works together, real and lasting change becomes possible.
Before class ended, each child made a personal pledge. One simple action they could take to help animals and their community. It was a powerful reminder that meaningful change doesn't start with one organization; it starts with individuals, families, and the next generation choosing to care.
Beyond the classroom, the new mobile SNAP Van was out in Miraflores this month, where the team helped 20 animals. As an incentive to encourage families to schedule office appointments, SNAP offered free flea and tick medication alongside the visit — a small extra that encourages preventive care and gets more pets seen.
The children of today will become the leaders, parents, volunteers, and decision-makers of tomorrow. Their curiosity, empathy, and enthusiasm give hope for the East Cape's future — and it's donor support that makes this kind of hands-on education possible.
Thank you for standing with us.
💚Crescent Moon Project - Art for Children
Crescent Moon Project offers free arts-based classes that spark creativity and help children grow into compassionate, community-focused leaders. Read their latest update below:
Young Artists Dive into the Wonderful World of Whale Sharks
Crescent Moon Project (CMP) was happy to partner once again with East Cape Environmental Education & Recycling and several local organizations to provide a free summer camp for children in Los Barriles. Each week, CMP led art sessions that transformed curiosity into creativity while introducing campers to the gentle giant of the sea, the whale shark.
As the largest fish in the world, whale sharks are a remarkable part of Baja's marine ecosystem. Through stories, discussion, and hands-on art, campers discovered why these amazing animals deserve our respect and protection.
Armed with recycled cardboard, paint, paper, and plenty of imagination, the children explored the whale shark's distinctive spots, the colorful sea life that shares its habitat, and the beauty of the underwater world as they created three-dimensional whale sharks and habitat. Their artwork captured the appearance of these gentle giants as well as the sense of wonder they inspire.
Every CMP art session begins with design thinking and creative exploration, encouraging children to imagine, experiment, solve problems, and express themselves with confidence. Summer camp allows us to reach even more children than we serve in our weekly classes, making it the perfect opportunity for campers to develop new artistic skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural treasures that make our community unique.
One of the greatest joys each summer is watching our teen volunteers work side by side with younger campers, offering encouragement, sharing ideas, and serving as positive role models. Their kindness and leadership embody Crescent Moon Project's belief that creativity has the power to build confidence, strengthen community, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
A heartfelt thank you to our talented CMP teacher, Yasmin Meraz; CMP Board members, Sonia Lunceford and Sally Inglis, for supporting Yasmin; our dedicated adult and teen volunteers; and every partner who helped make this special experience possible.
The smiles, laughter, and beautiful whale shark creations reminded us that when children connect with nature through art, they don't just create something beautiful—they begin to care for the world around them.
Wonderland for Kids Sponsorship Program
Wonderland for Kids is a bilingual Montessori and childcare center in Los Barriles offering a Sponsorship Program to help low income families access affordable childcare. Read their latest update below:
Creating Opportunity, One Child at a Time 💛
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Wonderland for Kids Sponsorship Program through Leaders2Give. Because of your generosity, we are currently able to provide quality childcare and early education for two children of single working mothers in our community.
Wonderland for Kids is more than a childcare center.
We are an education community where children are encouraged to learn, explore, create, and grow in a safe, nurturing environment. Through Montessori-inspired education, activities, outdoor play, practical life experiences, and meaningful relationships, we support the whole child — always with patience, love, and care.
For working mothers, reliable childcare can be the difference between being able to work and having to choose between providing for their families and caring for their children. Your support helps make that choice a little easier.
A sponsorship of $500 per month provides a child with consistent, quality care and education while helping a single mother continue working toward a more secure future for her family.
Together, we can help create opportunities, strengthen families, and break the cycle of economic hardship — one child at a time.
Thank you for believing in our children and investing in their future.
To learn about the different ways to donate to Leaders2Give and any of our Partners, visit our Donate page.