This summer in Mexico City, 22 formerly homeless kids found their home in the Catholic Church. They were baptized alongside their family members at the Basilica of Guadalupe.
The kids and their families were living on the streets when they were found by the non-profit organization called Hope of the Poor. Little by little, with funding, Hope of the Poor was able to get each family off the street and into an apartment. For many, this marked the first time in their life they had a safe place to call home.
But this was not the only way their lives changed. For many of the kids, Saturdays became filled with baptism classes. And for the adults, therapy and addiction treatment was available.
For the organization's founders, the “why” behind their work is clear:
DANNY LEGER
Co-Founder, Hope of the Poor
We really believe that the poor are a gift for us, so we want to keep ourselves close to Jesus, close to Jesus in the Eucharist and in the sacraments but also close to Jesus in the poor. And we really believe, because I know I've experienced this, that the poor have led me into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Hope of the Poor affirms that the baptisms won't end with this group of 22. In the coming months, 13 more formerly homeless kids will be baptized into the Catholic Church.
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