Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Last Spring, at the “What a Drag” charity event, Alexander Daoud, the founder of the Alexander Charity Fashion Show, shared his skills as a make-up and hair artist for one of the brave contestants of the show.
Alex had a wonderful time and was thrilled to take first place for make-up and hair. And while he was overjoyed to win this honor, he was also very moved in other ways as well. As he learned more about the benefactor of the “What a Drag” charity event, the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter, he was struck by the great need for this safe haven for women and children.
The founder of this shelter, David Zude, and fundraising face of the shelter, Ms. Freda Thompson, are old and dear friends of Alex and he has worked with them in various chaitable capacities since arriving in Vallarta . They all met at Paradise Church 11 years ago, shared a common goal of giving back to this community which they all love so dearly, and have supported one another’s causes ever since. So, this year, Alex has commited his Alexendar Daoud Charitable Foundation pledge fund drive to Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter.
The words “Casa Esperanza” mean house of hope. And that is literally what this organization provides to women and children in desperate need. The families sheltered there are surivors of extreme violence and are experiencing the most difficult of circumstances. Casa Esperanza provides housing, food, clothing, medical and dental services, psychological services, legal services, and social work and teaching interventions to the clients they serve.
Casa Esperanza can house up to 7 families or approximately 28 women and children at any one time, and the shelter is nearly always full. Women and families are allowed to stay as long as needed, but the goal is to help clients transition to new lives and new homes within three months, when possible. And in the coming year, Casa Esperanza hopes to open an external resource center to further assist women once they have left the shelter, and/or to support women in transition who do not require shelter.
The founder and staff of Casa Esperanza are all volunteer, and this non-profit has recently been rated by the Mexico Secretary of Social Development as one of the top three shelters in all of Mexico. And most importantly, in addition to all of the services listed above, Casa Esperanza provides a sense of safety and support while the women and families sheltered there rebuild their lives. Of course, keeping a shelter such as Casa Esperanza fully functioning is a costly undertaking. Casa Esperanza operates at a cost of $250,000 to $300,000 U.S. per year. Some of this cost is supported by government grants which have to be re-requested, and hopefully granted, each year.
Other than these grants, Casa Esperanza relies solely on the kindness of it’s all-volunteer staff, and the generous donations of Vallartans and visitors to this city. There is an annual fundraising show that takes place each March, called “What a Drag” – a super fun event familiar to many here. This year, What a Drag will take place on Sunday, March 13th at Teatro Vallarta. Tickets can purchased from Freda Thompson at fredafish(at)hotmail.com, or via phone at 322.221.5180.
While it is Alex’s great hope to return once again with a wonderful fashion show in 2023; this year, in an effort to keep his friends and clients safe once again in this time of COVID, the Alexander Daoud Charitable Foundation will hold a pledge fund drive. And the 2022 benefactor of this pledge fund drive will be the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter.
In 2021, Alex raised $35,500 pesos for last years charity, The Aid to Families of Children with Cancer (AFCC). Alex and AFCC are both so appreciative of all of the donations received and Alex would like to give a special thank you to Ms. April Simon and Mr. Paul Simon for their generous donation of $1,500 USD.
This year, in 2022, Alex is hoping for continued strong support for Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter. Donations can be made from now through the end of April, 2022 via Paypal at Alexandercharityfoundation@gmail.com, or you can make a cash donation at Alexander A. Salon, located at Plaza Marina Local F2 (next to the entrance to the Soriana Supermarket). Open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.
To learn more about Alexander A. Salon or to make an appointment, please call the salon at 322.221.1856 or (cell) 322.169.8111. Facebook: Alex Daoud Email: alexasalon4u(at)hotmail.com, Website: pvhairsalon.com.
Operated by Compassion for the Family Inc, a US 501c3 charitable organization, the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter provides beaten, emotionally abused and broken women and their children with a warm caring place to live, food, emotional counseling, nursing care, child care, child counseling, job training, life training and, most of all, a second chance at life – free of violence. When each of these women and their children are ready to embark on their new lives, they are provided with a minimum of six-month follow-up support. For more information, please visit CompassionForTheFamily.com, find them on Facebook, or contact David Zude at compassionforthefamily(at)yahoo.com.mx.
